Action | Repeal CO 2 Budget Trading Program as required by Executive Order 9 (Revision A22) |
Stage | Final |
Comment Period | Ended on 8/30/2023 |
Global warming is a demonstrable fact and increased CO2 levels is a major component of it. Efforts to reduce CO2 emissions (such as having Virginia as part of RGGI) are beneficial for Virginia and Virginians. By seeking to have the Air Pollution Control Board remove Virginia from RGGI, Governor Youngkin is attempting to have the Board do his dirty work for him. He appears to have a problem with Dominion Energy (it donated heavily to his opponent during the gubernatorial race) and seems to be trying to punish it. He frames withdrawing Virginia from RGGI as a way to reduce electric rates for Virginians. What he's ignoring is all the effects doing less to curb CO2 emissions will cause, hurting Virginians. For example, it will be really, really expensive if the sea level rises too much as a result of polar ice melting from higher temperatures from global warming. (I believe Norfolk and the U.S. Navy are already worried about this.) Please keep Virginia as part of RGGI.