NRDC report says Va. can meet EPA's carbon standards

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said in a recent fact sheet that Virginia would be able to meet federal carbon limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan.

The NRDC said the commonwealth would be able to surpass carbon reduction requirements set by the EPA through the increased use of renewable energy. The report also said the implementation of energy efficiency measures and incorporating complementary energy policy would aid low-income areas of the state.
 
The Clean Power Plan aims to reduce carbon emissions from power plants nationwide by 32 percent by the year 2030. If Virginia pursues clean energy and enhancements in efficiency, the state would also eliminate portions of its reliance on natural gas resources.

“Virginia is firmly on the road to cutting dangerous carbon pollution from power plants," Walton Shepherd, an NRDC attorney, said. "The state can close the final gap, and even do better, by boosting energy efficiency savings and taking advantage of Virginia’s vast untapped potential to develop more wind and solar power. The ball is in Gov. [Terry] McAuliffe’s court. He should seize this moment to draft a strong state plan to cut carbon pollution, create good-paying clean energy jobs and lift the economy. With climate change already affecting Virginians, the time to act is now.”

This study was put together to help policymakers as they develop the state's plan of action relating to the power plan.

Under the Clean Power Plan, the state would need to reduce carbon emissions to approximately 93.4 million tons of carbon emissions. In 2012, carbon emissions were estimated at 147.7 million tons.