“I oppose the attempt to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Virginia deserves the same benefits that RGGI has brought to other states, including: better public health, substantial reductions in climate-warming greenhouse gasses and an influx of funds to states’ budgets.

The Virginia program is especially important because money the state receives from the carbon allowance auctions has been allocated to critical programs that address two important issues: energy-efficient low-income housing, plus flood control and adaptation. Energy-efficient housing helps people spend less on energy – improving their financial stability –  while flood resilience projects help localities plan for – and avoid – devastating flooding impacts. Virginia’s participation in RGGI is law, for the good reasons outlined above.”