I am writing to oppose the proposal of the Youngkin administration and the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board to withdraw the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  This proposal is contrary to Virginia law and to the economic and environmental interests of Virginians.  Participation in RGGI has reduced Virginia’s power plant emissions by nearly 17% since the state joined the Initiative, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with clear advantages to our environment.  In addition, according to data from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Office of the Governor, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the EPA, revenue generated for the state from 2020 to 2022 due to its participation in RGGI - approximately $650 million - far outstrips the attendant increased energy costs to Virginia households - approximately $280 million.

It is difficult to understand why the Governor and the Board would seek to withdraw from RGGI given these obvious advantages to the State and its residents.