The creation of more jobs seems to be a major incentive the oil industries offer to convince people to allow such projects as offshore oil drilling, the Atlantic Coast pipeline, fracking and removing the uranium ban. Not as much emphasis is placed on the benefits of clean energy sources. According to the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Solar Foundation, the development of solar power has been shown to produce more jobs per unit of energy generation than other forms of energy, including coal and natural gas. The Solar Foundation also reports that since 2012, the number of solar jobs in Virginia has gone up by 157 percent.

Improving energy efficiency with clean power can also help Virginia utility customers save money. Meeting the goals of the Clean Power Plan, Virginians’ household electric bills will be reduced by eight percent, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center.

When it comes to healthier communities, a recent Harvard study shows that Virginia ranks among the top 13 states nationwide in public health gains from implementing the Clean Power Plan through potentially avoided premature deaths, hospitalizations and nonfatal heart attacks. Our support of the implementation of the Clean Power Plan in Virginia will make a significant difference in our efforts to alleviate climate change.