Valley residents share comments with DEQ about cleaner air regulations

The fight for cleaner air continues as some people here in the Valley took their concerns to leaders with the Department of Environmental Quality.

More than 60 came out to the DEQ headquarters in Harrisonburg Wednesday evening, trying to convince them that new regulations are needed for cleaner air.

This was all part of the public comment period that started back in January.

The State Air Pollution Control Board is considering adopting a regulation that will reduce and cap carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-fired electric power generating facilities.

Joy Loving came out Wednesday night and hopes the DEQ does everything in their power to make the area have clean air.

"I want them to make this as strong a regulation as possible. Knowing that there will no doubt be opposition as there often is to things like this," Loving said. "Think this can be done efficiently and effectively and that's what I tried to say and hopefully they heard that message."

Loving was also joined by Staunton City Councilman Erik Curren, who is a big advocate of clean air and renewable energy.

The DEQ will be having another hearing in Woodbridge on Thursday and a final one in Richmond on Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The public comment period runs until April 9.