PARTICIPATING 

COMMUNITIES 

CIJRJST!AN 

Bapt1~t General Comention 

Christian Church in Virginia 

Virlina DistricL Church of the 

Brethren 

Testimony of Trieste Lockwood 

Director, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light 

Washington. DC- May 24'", 2012 Vir~inia lntnCrirh 

Povv'er & Light 

The Episcopal Diocese ofVirgmia 

Episcupal Diocese of Southern 

Virginia 

Regarding the proposed Carbon Pollntion 

Standards for new power plants by the 

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 uf Ea!>tem Virginia 

Roman Catholic Diocese of 

Arlington 

Potomac Association. tJnitcd 

Church of Christ 

Holston Conference. United 

\1ethudist Church 

Virgima Conference. United 

Methodist Church 

Religious Society of Friends 

Arlington Interfaith Council 

Virginia Council of Churches 

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 of Virginia Interfaith Power & Light. I want to start by 

thanking yon for yonr work and for holding today's hearing. We highly value the 

open process around this rulemaking and appreciate the opportunity to bring in 

constituents across Virginia to speak to you. It is encouraging to know that the EPA 

is addressing carbon pollution and engaging the public on the Carbon Pollution 

Standards that could positively affect so many people. 

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 of 39 state affiliates of the 

national group, Interfaith Power & Light. Together. we are composed of thousands 

of congregations and individuals whose voices of faith are heard locally and 

nationally on responsible energy use and climate change. Virginia Interfaith 

Power & Light is also part of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the 

oldest faith-based advocacy group in the state. We work with I 0 judicatories and 

reach thousands of people on environmental issues throughout Virginia including 

those of Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith traditions. 

I have personally worked with Jerry Lawson, the EPA's National Manager 

for the ENERGY STAR Small Business & Congregations Network on our Energy 

Stewardship Workshops, which were created to 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 of our network's members 

to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprints. 

Fossil-fuel power plants currently emit more than two billion tons of carbon 

pollution and other toxic 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 a moral issue and I am here today to echo the widespread support from hundreds 

of faith community members who desire standards to improve our air quality. 

Protecting air quality for all populations is a critical part of the EPA's work. 

Putting a national cap on carbon pollution from power plants multiples the effect of 

local actions people take to reduce their energy use. 

Virginia Interfaith Power & Light strongly supports enacting theses historic 

Carbon Pollution Standards. Thank you for your time today. 

1716 E Franklin St., Richmond, Virginia 23223 

804-643-2474 ! www.vipl.org