FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2007
Contact: Rob Jones, Executive Director
Virginia Climate Initiative
804-225-5834
Rob@AllianceGroupLtd.com

Virginia Climate Initiative Endorses New Business Group
Committed to Fighting Global Warming

-- Coalition to rally public support for a cap on carbon emissions --

The Virginia Climate Initiative today announced support for new recommendations from the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a coalition of Fortune 500 Companies committed to fighting global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Member companies include GE, Caterpillar, BP America, and Duke Energy.

"When a group like this unites to fight global warming I think it refutes the idea that fixing this problem will cost jobs," said Rob Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia Climate Initiative. "It says something when the CEOs of some of the biggest businesses in America say it's in our economic interest to take action. USCAP is proof that fighting global warming will create new opportunities for businesses and workers across Virginia."

Although USCAP is a national group, many of its member companies have ties to Virginia. Member companies with a presence in Virginia include Alcoa (Alcoa Grottoes Plastics Plant in Grottoes, Alcoa Fastening Systems in Herndon, Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products in Lebanon, Alcoa Consumer Products in Richmond, Howmet Castings in Hampton, Alcoa Packaging in Richmond, and Alcoa Consumer Products in South Boston) and DuPont (Front Royal, Hopewell, James River, and Spruance).

USCAP officially launched today and is focused on raising public awareness and political support for fighting global warming by putting a cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

The Virginia Climate Initiative is a coalition of Virginia citizens, businesses, and organizations working to protect our natural heritage and way of life. It recognizes that human activities are changing the Earth's climate in a way that threatens our natural heritage, our economy, and our quality of life.

We are bringing together citizens and groups from all over Virginia to help develop and promote market based solutions to climate change. Specifically, a policy that establishes a national carbon cap and trade program would reduce the dangerous effects of carbon emissions while at the same time provide real opportunities for VA businesses, farmers, and landowners.