housands of Virginia union members join over 2.1 million individuals stating they support the construction of cleaner, more energy-efficient power plants 

RICHMOND, VA (June 25, 2012) Signatures on petitions and letters of support from local unions and union groups representing more than 5,000 workers in Virginia were delivered today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office in Washington, D.C. backing the proposed Carbon Pollution Standard, which limits the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from future power plants. These signatures were collected by the BlueGreen Alliance — a national partnership of 12 of the largest labor unions and environmental organizations in the U.S. — over the last two months since the EPA announced the proposed standard.

The EPA’s comment period for the proposed standard ends today. Nationally, over 2 million Americans submitted comments backing the greenhouse gas limits.

“This statement of support from union members clearly shows the debate between creating jobs and having a clean environment is over,” said David Foster, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance. “Over the last 40 years, we’ve seen that environmental safeguards have pushed America’s industries to innovate, and have led to less waste, more efficiency and greater economic opportunities. This proposed standard will do the same.”

“Virginians have said we want to stop climate change for years,” said Matt Sinclair, a BlueGreen Alliance organizer. “We want to protect the health of our families and ensure there are good jobs for ourselves and our neighbors. We want to keep our economy strong and competitive internationally, and we want our children and their children to have the promising and healthy future they deserve. The Carbon Pollution Standard helps us achieve this.”

In addition to the comments, letters, and petitions, the BlueGreen Alliance also submitted a joint comment with the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), which focuses on the economic benefits of the Carbon Pollution Standard when combined with complimentary efforts. This comprehensive effort will make America more competitive in the industries of the 21st century. The comment is available here.