Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe spoke today about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution at an event hosted by the New Republic, “The Next Frontier of Climate Change: State and Local Action Virginia,” held in Richmond.
Walton Shepherd, a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council who works on Virginia climate and clean air matters, issued this statement:
“Governor McAuliffe’s expressed support for the Clean Power Plan is a good start. But the best way to achieve the carbon pollution reductions in order to combat climate change is to rely on the state’s largely untapped sources of clean, renewable sources of energy and on energy efficiency. We look forward to working with the Governor to seize this clean energy opportunity. That’s the most cost-effective way to protect our children’s health, and the health of our economy and our planet.”
- A recent bipartisan poll revealed that 64 percent of Virginians support the Clean Power Plan and 83 percent—including strong majorities across party lines, want Virginia to develop its own state-based plans to meet the standards—especially through expanding clean energy and energy efficiency.
- NRDC recently released an issue brief revealing that clean energy is the best way Virginia can fight dangerous climate change and beat EPA emissions targets by 20 percent.
- Click here for NRDC Issue Brief