I am writing in support of keeping Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  This is not the time to roll back progress on climate change.

The 2020 General Assembly mandated that Virginia participate in RGGI.  It is the law!

RGGI reduces emissions.  Without it, Virginia will not be able to achieve carbon-free power by 2050 as set forth in the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

Decreased air pollution means fewer asthma attacks, fewer premature births, and fewer missed days of school and work. Participating states have realized $5.7 billion in public health benefits thanks to RGGI.

Virginia also needs the funds generated from RGGI to mitigate and prevent climate change induced flooding, among other needs.

Please focus on utility rate reform. Our electric bills are high because monopoly utilities like Dominion and Appalachian Power have been allowed to rewrite the utility code in their favor, while over-investing in risky fossil fuel power plants. If the administration really cares about customer costs, it will abandon this unlawful attempt and instead support monopoly utility rate reforms.

Sincerely,

Michele Mattioli

Charlottesville, Virginia