RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Fifteen climate scientists from five Virginia universities are offering to help Gov. Terry McAuliffe develop the state’s plan for meeting federal carbon reduction goals. In a letter Monday, the scientists also told McAuliffe that Virginia is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and other consequences of climate change. They offered to help the governor draft Virginia’s response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, which sets state-specific goals for carbon reductions from existing power plants. The scientists said Virginia could meet its obligation under the proposed rule simply by achieving its efficiency and renewable-energy goals. McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said the governor strongly supports reducing carbon emissions, and he and his team are finalizing Virginia’s comments on the Clean Power Plan.
