On behalf of the Virginia Grassroots Coalition, I urge you to maintain Virginia's lawfully required participation in RGGI. Withdrawal from RGGI is contrary to the laws and desires of the Commonwealth, and will have a damaging impact on our state's economy and public health. Virginia is on the path to a clean energy economic future, and stepping away from RGGI would undermine these strides, dampening the business climate and causing undue instability. RGGI is proven to reduce harmful pollution, a leading cause of the expensive and disastrous public health consequences of fossil fuels. Virginia's participation in RGGI generates desperately needed funds for flood preparation and mitigation, and for energy efficiency in low-income households. Finally, RGGI is not the cause of high utility bills for Virginia consumers. Our electric bills are high because monopoly utilities like Dominion and Appalachian Power have been allowed to rewrite the utility code in their favor, while over-investing in risky fossil fuel power plants. If the administration really cares about customer costs, it will abandon this unlawful attempt and instead support monopoly utility rate reforms. All of the pieces toward a clean energy economy are available in Virginia -- please don't cave in to fossil fuel interests at the expense of our citizens and businesses.

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Amy Bergner

Co-Chair, Climate & Clean Energy Working Group

Virginia Grassroots Coalition