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's entrance in RGGI is the culmination of years of work by thousands of people who are trying to prevent the deadly impacts of climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels. This particular method involving a market place for buying and selling tons of CO2 is originally a Republican idea to let the market send the signal that energy has to change. It is ironic that a Republican Governor would now try to subvert the law passed by the people's legislature to impede Virginia's transition to clean energy. Participation in RGGI has been shown to improve air quality which decreases episodes of asthma, and incidents of heart attack and stroke. It decreases production of CO2 which is the root cause of global warming causing heat illness and the spread of tropical illnesses not previously seen in Virginia. The money collected by RGGI, which is substantial, is going to mitigate climate change caused flooding and to help families improve weather proofing and insulation. For the health of Virginians, we should remain in RGGI and move forward with clean energy projects.