Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
 
Board
Air Pollution Control Board
 
chapter
Regulation for Emissions Trading [9 VAC 5 ‑ 140]
Action Repeal CO 2 Budget Trading Program as required by Executive Order 9 (Revision A22)
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 10/26/2022
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9/29/22  10:41 pm
Commenter: VA Resident

Stay in RGGI!!!
 

Of the 10 cities in the US most at risk of sea level rise, Virginia Beach is 2nd and Norfolk is 7th. Climate change will directly and drastically change our state. As a former resident of Virginia Beach, you should be especially aware of these issues.

The cap and trade auction system of RGGI is the most efficient system we have of allowing emissions in a way that does not harm our economy and provides benefits to society though the funds it produces. This system allows us to continue emitting carbon at necessary levels to support the Commonwealth, while still reducing emissions, so that future generations will be able to do the same. This is likely the most bipartisan solution we will be able to achieve on this issue, as it regulates emissions, but leaves the allocation of emissions up to the market through auctions. 

Please reconsider your action on RGGI. Staying in RGGI would allow our state to take action to protect ourselves from the impacts of climate change, many of which are beginning to impact us already. Even if you personally do not care about climate change, please care about the millions of people who live in Virginia who will be impacted. Your website mentions that you are guided by your family and your faith. Please allow those values to guide you now. Help make Virginia a state where your children will want to live, where they will be able to have the same or similar standard of living as Virginians today. Please let your faith guide you to care for creation, to treat it as a gift to be shepherded well, not wasted recklessly. But please, consider the prosperity of both present and future Virginians, and keep us in RGGI.

CommentID: 181635