I strongly support Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is a proven cost-effective way to reduce carbon pollution and the tremendous costs greenhouse gases have on Virginians. I applauded our General Assembly for committing to RGGI and am shocked that the current Governor of Virginia is taking steps to contradict law by withdrawing from RGGI through a questionable  regulatory process. I am a concerned citizen – not a lawyer, not an environmental or legislative professional. But even at my level, this seems fundamentally wrong and short-sighted. Proceeds from RGGI support low-income energy efficiency programs and affordable housing projects greatly needs in Virginia. RGGI provides the only funding source we have for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, which local communities need for creating and implementing plans for flood resilience planning and projects which are increasingly critical as the impacts of climate change become more and more immediate and severe.

Why abandon something that works for Virginians? As a person of faith and a person of conscience, I urge the Air Board to protect our participation in RGGI.