Testimony submitted to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602}

In support of U.S. EPA's Clean Power Rule Submitted byJosh Nease, New River Valley Trout Unlimited July 25, 2014

Ithankyou forthe opportunityto submitthis formal testimony regarding the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan. I am pleased with this Administration's proposed action to combat ciimate change by setting limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Iam eager for atime when the existence of climate change is no longera political debate and this country can become a leader in climate change mitigation and adaptation. I applaud EPA fortaking much needed steps to reverse the course we are on. My name is Josh Nease and I live and fish in Virginia's New River Valley. I believe that we have asocial, environmental, and economic obligation totake steps to mitigate climate change. These actions will help to protectthe ecosystem services on which we rely and conserve our natural resources for use by future generations. One natural resource facing the greatest threat is our native wildlife, and as afisherman, paddler, birder, and naturalist, Iapplaud EPA fortaking action to combatthe cause- carbon pollution.
I have been fly fishing fortrout in the mountains ofWest Virginia and Virginia for manyyears. In my short lifetime, the impacts of climate change, specifically awarming planet and changing weather patterns, have taken atoll on wild, native trout populations. Increasing stream temperatures are forcing wild brook trout populations further and further upstream tothe smallest, coldest streams in the watershed. In these headwatertributaries, food supplies and habitat are often limited and populations offish are isolated from other populations, weakening the genetic diversity ofthe species.
The U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan is a majorstep in the right direction. This plan will help define the way towards afuture in which we invest more in clean energy and less in fuels that pollute our air and water and harm our global climate. By reducing reliance on coal-burningfor powergeneration in the U.S., the Clean Power Plan will help protectwildlife by reducing not only carbon pollution but other harmful pollutants like mercurythat poisons fish and threatens all who eatthem. This rule will reduce the need for more coal miningthat's destroying precious wildlife habitat and polluting ourwaterways.
As you finalize the standard, I ask thatyou work to ensure that it achieves the deepest reductions possible by requiring states tofocus on increasing energy efficiencies and renewable energy sources and not solely on transitioningto natural gas. Virginia can and should do moreto generate powerfrom renewable sources like wind and solar and reduce energy demand through energy efficiency. EPA should strengthen the standard to reflectthis potential. Thank you forthe opportunityto commenttoday, and we lookforward to workingwith you tofinalize and implementthe Clean Power Plan. To mitigate climate change, we know what we need to do and we have the ever-improvingtechnology to do it. Now we need the political will to make the transition and keep America movingforward. We hope you will do everythingyou can to ensure it stays strongthrough the process- wildlife and future generations are counting on your leadership. Sincerely, Josh Nease