TODAY: EPA, U.S.D.A. and White House to Highlight New Market-Based Water Quality Trading Plan in Virginia

WASHINGTON-On Tuesday, E.P.A. (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy will hold a press conference with U.S.D.A. Secretary (USDA) Tom Vilsack, Mike Boots of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a private investor and an Appomattox, Virginia farmer to recognize an innovative, market-based nutrient trading plan that Virginia has embraced to encourage economic investments and reduce phosphorus pollution to local waterways in order to meet water quality goals for the Chesapeake Bay.

By offsetting increases in phosphorus loads, nutrient trading provides important economic incentives for farmers, including cost savings, new income, and employment opportunities, in addition to environmental benefits, such as air quality improvements, enhanced wildlife habitat, and carbon capture and storage. The Commonwealth of Virginia has created a market supply and demand for land conservation projects, taking nutrient trading from the conceptual level to an on-the-ground plan that benefits the environment, reduces costs to the Commonwealth, and provides income to farmers.
Both E.P.A. and U.S.D.A. have long supported the concept of market-based approaches to enhance water quality, and E.P.A. is developing additional resources for states across the country to pursue similar programs.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 WHO: Gina McCarthy, E.P.A. Administrator
WHERE: McConnell Public Safety Transportation Operation Center RSVP: Media who would like to attend the event should contact [email protected]
***NOTE: Media will need to check-in upon arrival at the secure facility. Please project to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the event.

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