Gov. Youngkin is a newcomer to Virginia's excellent work toward reducing toxic pollution sources that cause rapid climate change and toward protection of Virginia's air, water, and soil quality and precious environmental resources. We are proud of Virginia’s participation in RGGI, made it our law, passed by our elected representatives in the General Assembly. We do not appreciate outsiders coming into Virginia as advisors, unelected, unapproved, who seek to roll back our progress on creating a more sustainable environment for Virginians to live and work in -- advisors who instead seek to protect fossil fuels, polluting energy in which they have vested interests.

No Executive Order should overpower the wishes and actions taken for the common good of all Virginians, the majority of whom are very concerned about sea level rising along our coasts, about flooding from increased rainfall and storms, about impacts on our prize-winning wineries from these higher rainfall levels, on our world-renowned beautiful national forests, on our everyday lives and health from increasing toxic pollution impacts.   

Yes, the governor cannot seek re-election for a second consecutive term in Virginia. We ask for no grandstanding for the national public stage at our expense. He would do better to promote RGGI's strong track record of cutting planet-warming pollution from power plants. 

Half of RGGI money is directed to low-income energy efficiency programs, while 45% goes toward the Community Flood Preparedness Fund. Virginia has received $452 million from RGGI in less than two years—$203 million of that is for flood resiliency. How does Gov. Youngkin plan to replace these much needed funds for key actions to protect people and places from already occurring climate change negative impacts? 

The governor should support and sustain Virginia's participation in RGGI or be branded a relic of the past, mired in dirty fuels and harms to healthy futures.