Virginia needs the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). By law, 50% of RGGI revenue goes to low-income energy efficiency programs, mitigating rate increases for energy burdened households. RGGI dollars are being used in every region of Virginia.

Actual revenues from RGGI have far outstripped state officials’ projections. Alternate funding sources that have been proposed are smaller, ignore low-income households, and are contingent on available funding.

Since participation in RGGI was passed as legislation by the General Assembly and is now in the Code of Virginia, the Governor’s efforts to unilaterally ignore laws and effectively repeal them, threaten the purpose in having a legislative body. These actions violate the separation of powers that is the foundation of US constitutional government. Even aside from the climate crisis we must oppose such a dangerous precedent.