As a Virginian for 59 years, I urge our Commonwealth to remain in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Virginia's communities and economies, including my own in Virginia Beach, are especially vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate.  Residents, businesses, and local, state and federal entities operating in Virginia are subject to enormous impacts of climate change, not just in coastal areas.

RGGI's market-based, fiscally conservative, regional approach stands out as a remarkably successful state-driven measure that actually works to reduce climate-warming air pollution without strangling business and innovation.

Withdrawing from RGGI would set aside decades of bipartisan state-based progress and would result in additional federal regulation - the opposite outcome Virginia's leader should want. Honor these collective states' agreement and commitments. Stay in RGGI - for the good of Virginia and for the good of our Commonwealth!