RGGI is law, as of 2020 when the Virginia General Assembly passed the Community Flood Preparedness Act that committed Virginia to joining RGGI. I understand that the General Assembly has not repealed that law thus making Governor Youngkin’s withdrawal from RGGI illegal. 

I have heard no viable reason about how withdrawing from a successful RGGI program will help Virginians. Cutting carbon emissions and producing revenues to assist low income residents with efficiency improvements and local governments with flood abatement seems to be in Virginia’s best interests. Regardless, RGGI is law and the DEQ, the Air Board and the Governor do not have the authority to pull us out of RGGI.

Secondly, This has spiritual relevance for me. I’m proud to be part of an earth-care congregation; one who celebrates and desires to heal our earth, and encourages community involvement through public policy to protect and restore God's creation. 

Water, air, and earth are not ours to use or abuse, rather creation is to be respected and cherished.  Please respect the law and RGGI.