Action | Reduce and Cap Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuel Fired Electric Power Generating Facilities (Rev. C17) |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 3/6/2019 |
Climate change is already impacting the health of Virginians. Physicians are seeing in their offices and in the ER increased cases of heat illness, more asthma and earlier onset of spring allergies. We have also noted the increasedspread of Lyme disease carried by ticks and are concerned about the spread of tropical diseases like Zika and Dengue as the mosquito vector moves into warming states. The health system is adversely impacted by super storms and floods and our economy is being impacted by sea level rise. It is imperative as noted by the recent IPPC 1.5 report and the US Fourth Climate impact report that we act now. Joining RGGI is a way to send a market signal to energy producers of the need to limit CO2 production and to move to renewables. Look at the impact of RGGI on the 9 states who are currently participating. It has been a win-win situation. The Commonwealth can't afford to miss this opportunity.