I strongly oppose this illegal effort to withdraw Virginia for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Virginia's membership in RGGI is mandate by state legislation and only the General Assembly can act to repeal this legislation. RGGI is already working for Virginians, financing energy efficiency upgrades for low income housing that reduce energy burdens and funding flood mitigation efforts in vulnerable communities. 

RGGI has already proven to be effective. From 2010 to 2020, RGGI states dropped greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, while Virginia power plant emissions remained flat. Moreover, according to the Virginia Mercury, residents of states with a higher percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources have lower utility bills than Virginians and are better protected from rising utility rates resulting from increasing fossil fuel costs. As RGGI accelerates investment in clean, renewable energy, all Virginias will benefit from lower and more stable energy prices and improved health from the reduction of air pollution associated with fossil fuel power plants and transmission infrastructure, particularly for low income and mostly minority communities who are most exposed this pollution.