Virginia DEQ wants your input on climate action plan — survey closes Friday
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking community input as it creates a long-term plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the Commonwealth.
Greenhouse gas emissions are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, and lead to heating of the planet. Common examples of such gasses include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The United States is the second largest greenhouse emissions producer in the world with transportation, energy and industry being the leading contributing industries, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In July 2024, Virginia DEQ was awarded two grants, about $150 million total, from the EPA to reduce emissions and protect land, according to the department. The funding is being used as a part of Virginia’s Climate Changing process, which has two steps.
In the first step of this initiative, Virginia released a report identifying projects that can reduce emissions over the next five years.
For the second and final step, the DEQ is developing a statewide plan to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants and map out ways to reduce emissions and expand clean energy for the next 25 years.
DEQ is now seeking community input to inform the creation of this 25-year plan. The quick survey, available until Friday, Aug. 8, will collect ideas and comments on what matters to Virginians the most when it comes to emissions and clean energy.
Take action
How should Virginia respond to climate change?
Want to help shape Virginia’s approach to responding to climate change? There is still time to share your thoughts on Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s survey on greenhouse emissions.
The insights from this brief survey will help DEQ to shape its 25-year comprehensive plan on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The survey is open until 5 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2025.
Take DEQ’s community survey here!
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