I am writing to oppose Virginia's withdrawal from RGGI - the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. I am a clinical psychologist and work with children and families navigating complex psychological distress. As a healthcare professional I regularly see how social determinants of health, such as not having access to green spaces (safe parks and playgrounds) or not having clean air (more children with asthma) negatively impacts  health and mental health issues across the lifespan.The social determinants of health account for more variance in health outcomes than individual behaviors such as smoking or not exercising. RGGI provisions are beneficial in extending life expectancy and increasing days at work and school - promoting the Common Health of Virginians! 

As a Virginia resident I appreciate RGGI's protection of utility customers receiving higher and higher bills. RGGI requires power plants to move from reliance on fossil fuels.

I frankly do not understand why the Air Pollution Control Board issued a regulation to withdraw Virginia as the 2020 law mandated the Commonwealth's participation. RGGI is a value added initiative and I urge the Board to continue to support Virginia's participation.

Annie Stewart