Trey Pollard: trey.pollard@sierraclub.org,
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe issued an executive directive to the Commonwealth’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Air Pollution Control Board that will lead to a strong limit on carbon pollution from power plants through regional cooperation. The Virginia DEQ will now begin crafting plans to develop a program to reduce carbon pollution in the state.
Executive Directive 11 is designed to ensure Virginia’s energy future includes a structure that enforces carbon-reduction mechanisms. This is the result of the Executive Order 57 process, through which more than 10,000 Virginians called on the Governor to use his authority to reduce carbon pollution. Meanwhile, clean energy growth in Virginia continues to rise. According to the Governor’s office, the clean energy economy is creating $1.5 billion in revenue, solar jobs are up 65 percent since 2014, and solar installations have risen 1,200 percent in just the last year.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
"The Sierra Club applauds Governor McAuliffe for protecting the health of Virginia families and communities. This is a perfect example of how states and local governments can ensure our nation takes climate action even as Donald Trump buries his head in the sand while the seas are rising. Leaders like Governor McAuliffe know we have a moral obligation to act and will seize economic opportunities when we do, as the clean energy economy is already proving it will create good-paying jobs while powering homes and businesses.
“No one can ignore the progress on climate action and clean energy on the state and local levels. This important policy comes on the same day as the announcement of the 253rd coal plant retirement since the beginning of BCC the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign and on the heels of Hanover, New Hampshire becoming the 29th city to commit to 100% clean energy as part of our Ready for 100 campaign. Forget his rhetoric: Trump cannot stop this momentum for clean energy and climate action that is being driven by citizen activism in states and communities across the country.”
###
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.