Climate change poses a serious threat to Virginia that has to be addressed, the state environmental agency said.

“The threats that Virginia faces on account of sea level rise and associated storm surges are only expected to grow as climate change continues,” the DEQ said. “Virginia’s low-lying coastline makes the area particularly susceptible to such threats.”

But Virginia is already a national leader in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and in achieving low carbon-intensity electric generation, the state agency said. Virginia power companies reduced carbon emissions by 39 percent from 2005 to 2012, the DEQ said. “This tied the state for seventh nationally in the rate of CO2 emission reductions between those years.”

All of Virginia’s neighboring states have electric generating systems that are more carbon-intensive than Virginia’s, but all have emission rate goals substantially higher than Virginia’s final goal, the state agency said.

“The disparity in state goals leaves Virginia at a competitive disadvantage to its neighbors and numerous other states because they will be able to comply with the proposed emission guidelines more cost-effectively,” DEQ said. Those states could use low electric rates or taxes to lure businesses away from Virginia.