As Virginians, we appreciate the initiative taken by Governor McAuliffe, but we know our work does not stop here. We request that the Department of Environmental Quality use its authority to: 

1. Create a rule — based on the strongest available science — that significantly reduces carbon pollution from Virginia’s power plants. 
2. Ensure that Virginians — not utilities — benefit from any profits from carbon regulations. 
3. Address the disproportionate environmental effects experienced by our most vulnerable communities. 
4. Reduce carbon pollution by incentivizing investments in zero-carbon solar, wind and energy efficiency. 

Given the regressive actions at the federal level, specifically Trump's exit from the Paris Climate Accord, dismantling of the Clean Power Plan, and installation of an enemy of EPA at the helm of EPA, we are depending on state and local leaders to act boldly and avert the worst, most catastrophic impacts of a warming planet and shifting weather patterns. We've witnessed leaders fail to act for decades---back when we could have forestalled or mitigated the droughts, heat waves, intense storms, floods, wildfires, shifting seasons, and loss of biodiversity that are happening now. Please give Virginians a reason to believe that DEQ serves the people of Virginia and craft the strongest possible rule that steers us toward a better future.