Action | Repeal CO 2 Budget Trading Program as required by Executive Order 9 (Revision A22) |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 10/26/2022 |
Virginia has a fine record as a positive leader in so many ways and it should maintain this instead of caving to oil and gas company donors to help the governor's presidential campaign. Legally, we are required to continue to be part of RGGI. Governor Youngkin must obey state law just like any other Virginian. In addition, the law is already working well, saving money for the state, and fostering effective coordination with other nearby states. Governor Youngkin claims that he is throwing off Dominion Energy's inappropriate excessive influence by trying to restore power to its regulators to examine its fees. But destroying RGGI puts power completely back into Dominion's hands, dwarfing anything else he is attempting to do. In terms of the bigger picture, climate change is terrifyingly real and is already happening. Hurricane Ian, fueled by warmer ocean waters, is only the latest example. All of us -- both parties, all states -- need to work together to fight it if future generations are going to have a livable planet. Virginia needs to stand up and fight climate change instead of caving to oil and gas companies to build their profits. They will be profitable regardless. They do not need Youngkin scurrying around to do their bidding in this way or any other way. He should stand up for effective policies like this rather than tailoring Virginia policies to his presidential campaign.