PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES

CIJRJST!AN**Bapt1~t** General Comention Christian Church in Virginia Virlina DistricL Church ofthe

Brethren Testimony ofTrieste Lockwood
Director, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light Washington. DC- May 24'", 2012**Vir~inia** lntnCrirh 

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The Episcopal Diocese ofVirgmia Episcupal Diocese ofSouthern

Virginia Regarding the proposed Carbon Pollntion Standards for new powerplants bythe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)**l~piscopal** Diocese of South\\CStern Virginia Metro Washington Synod.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Virginia Synod. Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America Preshytery ufthe James National Capitol Preshytcl} Shenandoah Presby ICJ)**Prcsh~tery** ufEa!>tem Virginia Roman Catholic Diocese of

Arlington Potomac Association. tJnitcd

Church ofChrist Holston Conference. United

\1ethudist Church Virgima Conference. United

Methodist Church Religious Society ofFriends Arlington Interfaith Council Virginia Council ofChurches

JEWISH Je\\ish Communi!)· Council of

Greater Washington Richmond Rabhinic Association

MUSLIM Virginia Muslim Coalition fOr

Public AITairs Good morning. My name is Trieste Lockwood and I speak from my position as Director ofVirginia Interfaith Power & Light. I want to start by thankingyon for yonr work and for holding today's hearing. We highly value the openprocess around this rulemaking and appreciate the opportunityto bring in constituents across Virginia to speak to you. It is encouragingto know that the EPA is addressing carbon pollution and engagingthe public onthe Carbon Pollution Standards that couldpositively affect so manypeople.

I would like to start by telling you a little more about the work we do and the widespread support in the faith community for limiting industrial carbon pollution. Virginia Interfaith Power & Light is one of39 state affiliates ofthe national group, Interfaith Power & Light. Together. we are composed ofthousands ofcongregations and individuals whose voices offaith are heard locally and nationally on responsible energy use and climate change. Virginia Interfaith Power & Light is also part ofthe Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the oldest faith-based advocacy group in the state. We work with I0judicatories and reach thousands ofpeople on environmental issues throughoutVirginia including those ofHindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith traditions.
I have personally worked with Jerry Lawson, the EPA'sNational Manager for the ENERGY STAR Small Business & Congregations Network on ourEnergy Stewardship Workshops, which were createdto reduce carbon pollution from faith facilities and educate the faith community on energy efficiency. Through this experience I have seen the sincere passion and initiative ofournetwork's members to reducetheir energy consumption and carbon footprints.
Fossil-fuel power plants currently emit more thantwo billion tons ofcarbon pollution and othertoxic pollutants into the air each year. Modernizing new power plants with better technologies will reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and health problems. Climate change and the respiratory problems caused by smog disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities. For many, this is amoral issue and I am here today to echo the widespread support from hundreds offaith community members who desire standards to improve our air quality. Protecting air quality for all populations is acritical part ofthe EPA's work. Putting a national cap on carbon pollution from power plants multiplesthe effect of local actions people take to reduce theirenergy use. Virginia Interfaith Power & Light strongly supports enacting theses historic Carbon Pollution Standards. Thank you for yourtime today.

1716 E Franklin St., Richmond, Virginia 23223 804-643-2474 ! www.vipl.org