Virginia defies Trump with own climate change rules

Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia signed an order Tuesday directing his state’s energy regulators to devise rules to cut greenhouse gas emissions from his state’s utility sector, saying states must fill the void created by President Trump.

“The threat of climate change is real, and we have a shared responsibility to confront it,” McAuliffe said. “Once approved, this regulation will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the commonwealth’s power plants and give rise to the next generation of energy jobs. As the federal government abdicates its role on this important issue, it is critical for states to fill the void.”