Governor Youngkin,

As a long time Virginia resident, I urge you to support Virginia's continuing commitment to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.  This program benefits Virginians. Since joining the RGGI, Virginia power plants have decreased emissions, improving air quality for Virginia residents and mitigating pollution-related health concerns like asthma.  The RGGI benefits public health and saves our commonwealth in health costs. The funds raised through the RGGI benefit Virginians as well, supporting programs to lessen the current and future damage caused by flooding.  

Earlier this week, the IPCC released it's latest report on climate change. While fossil fuels have provided many benefits to us historically, it is clear we need to change our energy sources if we want Virginians to thrive in the coming decades and beyond.  The RGGI provides us a reasonable, common sense approach to lowering our reliance on fossil fuels. 

We need the RGGI. As a faithful Christian, member of Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna, VA, I hear God's call to protect Creation, but especially to protect our communities.  Climate Change is one of the worst threats that we face to our own well-being, and we must keep leading our commonwealth to care for each other.

Sincerely,

Elise Larsen

Falls Church, VA