EPA PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CLEAN POWER PLAN 

My name is Timothy Whitcombe. I live in Henrico, Virginia, which is a suburb of Richmond. I 

would like to thank you for the opportunity to testify today. 

Every year, coal-fired power plants are dumping over two billion tons of dangerous carbon 

pollution and other pollutants into the air. These power plants are emitting carbon dioxide, but 

also soot, particulates, sulfuric acid, and heavy metals and other toxins into the air. Mercury is 

emitted from these coal-fired power plants, and mercury is known to cause mental retardation. 

The Clean Power Plan, proposed by President Obama and the EPA on June 2nd, will slash 

carbon pollution from power plants, and will force the phaseout of a large number of coal-fired 

power plants. As a consequence, it will also prevent 150,000 asthma attacks and 6,600 

premature deaths annually by the year 2030. 

There are many people who say that restricting power plants and their emissions will be very 

expensive and will harm the US economy. They say it will raise electric rates substantially and 

cause big problems for businesses and consumers. This view ignores the fact that coal pollution 

in this country causes more than $100 billion annually in health costs. In fact, I have read that 

the Clean Power Plan will have benefits of about $74 billion annually by 2030, whereas its 

costs will be only $8 billion annually. 

Richmond, Virginia has four coal-fired power plants within 25 miles of the city. There is a 

major coal-fired power plant in Chesterfield County and there is also a coal-fired power plant 

on the campus of the University of Richmond. I have been told that Richmond has twice been 

named the asthma capital of the United States, due to its high prevalence of asthma. In July 

2013, I began a walking program to help me lose weight and to improve my health. I was 

taking a brisk walk of about 3 miles each and every day. Then, in October 2013, I got a bad 

cough. My doctor diagnosed me with bronchitis. My cough was so bad that I was forced to 

discontinue my walking program. I was not able to walk for about 6 months. Thankfully, I am 

now doing my walk around my neighborhood again, although I am walking at a slower pace 

than I had been walking last year. · 

The Hampton Roads area of Virginia is having big problems due to sea level rise as a result of 

global warming. I have seen a video of flooding in Norfolk. This video showed streets and 

businesses and homes and cars being flooded. One young woman in the video said she was 

trapped in her house for a week due to the flooding. Our sailors and naval officers live in 

Norfolk and thereabouts. Do we really want the homes and cars of our sailors and naval 

officers being flooded on a regular basis? 
I ask you to implement the Clean Power Plan, and in fact exceed the 30% reduction in carbon 

emissions by 2030. Global warming is a very serious and ongoing problem, and we need severe 

reductions in carbon emissions as soon as possible. I would say that we need to reduce carbon 

emissions by at least 50% by 2030. I say this for these reasons: Global warming is causing 

more powerful storms, and these enhanced hurricanes and tornadoes are costing us lives and 

are costing FEMA and state and local emergency agencies a lot of money. Also, this country 

has already reduced carbon emissions by 12 to 15 percent since 2005, and this shows that large 

levels of reduction are, in fact, possible. Also, the EPA estimates for greater efficiency and for 

more alternative energies in the 50 states appear to be low; we can put many, many more wind 

turbines and solar panels out there. And also, if we have a level of carbon reduction of 50%, 

then the rest of the world will really notice. The USA will be setting a great example, and the 

rest of the world will then be more likely to follow our example. 

Thank you for your time and for your consideration. 

Timothy V. Whitcombe 

8623 Millstream Drive 

Henrico, Virginia 23228-1795