Members, Virginia Air Pollution Control Board,

We, the undersigned, join with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters in opposition to the Youngkin Administration's regulatory efforts to take Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - a highly successful program that's cutting power plant pollution while returning steady, dedicated funding to our state to combat flooding and lower energy costs.

RGGI is protecting our health. Cleaner air means better health outcomes for Virginians, and in its first few years RGGI has already significantly cut harmful power plant pollution. We must continue to lower harmful emissions to secure a sustainable future.

RGGI is bringing resources to Virginia. RGGI has also brought upwards of $500 million to our state in just a few short years - funding that localities depend on to keep their communities safe from flooding, and that's going to help low-income households lower their energy bills. And as we lessen our dependence on fossil fuel generation and transition to clean energy, we will also significantly lower Virginians' energy costs, which have skyrocketed because of the cost of volatile fossil fuels.

This regulatory repeal is unlawful. Virginia's General Assembly voted to join this program by statute in 2020, and no Governor has the power to single handedly override Virginia Code or brush aside laws they don't agree with.

For these reasons, we oppose this repeal effort and urge the Youngkin Administration to start doing the right thing for climate action.

https://valcv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3-31-23_RGGI_VAAirBoard.pdf