Hello,  

I'm writing today to ask you oppose the repeal of RGGI for many reasons. 

As a rural Virginian, I am extremely concerned about climate change. The strange weather patterns that we've been experiencing are ruining some crops and making others to grow.  Agriculture is one of our states top industry and we, our Virginian economy, and the farmers who grow our food can not afford more drastic weather changes. We must do our part to combat climate change to protect our way of life. 

Also I believe that RGGI is working well.  I've read that we have already had an 16.8 % drop in emissions here in our state.  As a result we are seeing many public health benefits. Air pollution is a proven cause of asthma and premature births.  As a member of a family with three asthma sufferers I know first hand the constant difficulty of my kids missing school and in turn, me having to miss work to take care of them when they have asthma attacks. Not to mention the health care bills when I have to take them to the doctor or the ER for this.  Air pollution is literally costing me time, and money and it's interfering with my kids grades at school. 

As a Virginian,  I was so proud when we joined RGGI because I felt like Virginia was taking steps to become part of the solution. I am now appalled at Gov. Youngkin's suggestion to repeal it. I believe that he is putting both our present and future generations at risk for nothing more than political grandstanding. And, he is doing so against the law! The law passed in 2020 mandates that we participate in this initiative. 

Finally, as a citizen of the world, and also a parent, I believe that it is our responsibility to safe guard the futures of our kids and the present reality of so many around the world who are loosing homes and livelihoods to climate change. We cannot simply shirk this responsibility because it is convenient, makes us money, or because we can score political  points. If we do, we will only be making others pay the price for our laziness and greed.  The people paying for this will be our children. 

Therefore, I am asking you in the strongest terms possible to oppose the repeal of RGGI. Thank you for your time in reading this letter and considering what I have said. 

Erin Kruschwitz

Goochland County, Virginia.