Kicking the can down an ended road.

BeKura W. Shabazz

3/19/18

DEQ ED-11 Hearings

Kicking the Can Down an Ended Road

At a recent public hearing held by the Department of Environmental Quality, one concerned citizen said the following about acting on climate - “we have been kicking this can down the road so long that we have run out of road.” This sentiment accurately reflects the pressing nature of lowering greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia. Fortunately, the Commonwealth now can be a leader on climate action.

Currently, DEQ is considering regulations that would reduce carbon emissions from power plants. As a part of this regulatory process, the department held a series of public hearings, including one in Woodbridge. These regulations, associated with Executive Directive 11, were first introduced by former Governor Terry McAuliffe in May. By issuing this directive, Virginia became the first southern state to address the correlation between carbon emissions and global warming. Furthermore, Virginia took a critical step forward on climate, during a time when the federal government continues to dismantle core environmental protections.

DEQ’s regulations would allow Virginia to link with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state carbon market that reduces carbon pollution though cap-and-trade. By linking with RGGI, Virginia could

reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 30% by 2030. This figure represents the minimum action required to avoid a devastating level of global warming.

We have reached the end of this road, but Virginia can choose the better path on carbon. The Commonwealth must move forward with state-level solutions to climate change. Virginians should share their support for climate action and ensure these regulations are enacted.

The DEQ is still taking comments until April 9, 2018 and you can submit your comment by email to ghg@deq.virginia.gov.