A pair of environmental groups will deliver letters to Gov. Terry McAuliffe today signed by more than 100 Virginia businesses, health professionals and civic leaders urging the governor to implement “a strong Clean Power Plan.”
More than a year ago, President Barack Obama’s administration and the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced the Clean Power Plan, a framework for reducing carbon pollution through customized goals for states and what the EPA called “achievable standards for power plants.” The plan would impose the first-ever limits on carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, mandating a 32 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions nationwide by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
In February, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed implementation of the plan pending a judicial review. More than two dozen states are suing to block the plan.
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In the meantime, “for the states that choose to continue to work to cut carbon pollution from power plants and seek the agency’s guidance and assistance, EPA will continue to provide tools and support,” the EPA says.
The letters by the Sierra Club and Environment Virginia are intended to signal widespread support from small businesses as the state works on its own compliance plan, said Mary-Stuart Torbeck, the Sierra Club’s Richmond community outreach coordinator.
“We really want him to have a strong commitment to clean energy and energy efficiency,” she said.
McAuliffe signed an executive order in June directing state agencies to deliver concrete recommendations for carbon reductions by next spring, sidestepping state lawmakers, who in the state budget specifically prohibited any spending related to the federal plan while the challenge is pending.
“We urge you to drive continued progress and to prepare to submit a formal plan to EPA as soon as the Supreme Court lifts the stay it has imposed on the policy,” the Environment Virginia letter says.
“Virginia should meet the goals of the Clean Power Plan by focusing exclusively on energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy.”