I object to Gov. Youngkin's attempts to subvert positive action on climate change and protection of our environment. Virginia’s participation in RGGI is the law, passed and defended by our elected representatives in the General Assembly. A partisan, administrative board such as Virginia’s Air Pollution Control Board should not attempt to undermine this legislation. 

RGGI has a strong track record of cutting planet-warming pollution from power plants. Why would an Air Pollution Control Board try to stop our participation in this successful, bipartisan program? It simply makes no sense to leave RGGI, given the growing climate crisis. 

Half of RGGI money is directed to low-income energy efficiency programs, while 45% goes toward the Community Flood Preparedness Fund. Virginia has received $452 million from RGGI in less than two years—$203 million of that is for flood resiliency. Gov. Youngkin has no plan to replace these much needed funds.

We must do our part to reduce GHG emissions immediately.