Gov. Younkin,

I am opposed to your attempt to have the Commonwealth of Virginia exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). 

In Virginia, the proceeds from RGGI’s auctions directly benefit residents in several ways. Nearly half of the revenue from RGGI goes to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, which has made possible dozens of local projects. So far, more than $46 million in local grants have kick-started flood protection projects in 40 localities, from the Eastern Shore to Southwest Virginia. Apart from RGGI proceeds, Virginia has no dedicated funding to address the significant and costly damage from flooding across the state.

Additionally, our participation in the RGGI has provided and/or enabled:

• RGGI is responsible for creating 45,000 good jobs in participating states and RGGI states have seen their economies grow 31 percent faster than non-RGGI states.
• Electricity prices in RGGI states dropped by almost 6% as they went up by almost 9% throughout the rest of the country.
• RGGI states reduce climate-warming emissions 90% faster than the rest of the country.
• RGGI has significantly improved public health in participating states by transitioning away from energy generation that pollutes air and water, improving public health by an estimated $5.7 billion.

I request that you listen to your constituents and study the science and facts that support the commonwealth’s continued participation.

Thank you,

Robert Rhodes