In only two years, Virginia's participation in RGGI is paying off: greenhouse gas emissions are down 16 percent and RGGI has raised almost $600 million to help protect communities from increased flooding caused by climate change and assist low-income household reduce their energy bills. Virginia's participation in RGGI is an effective, market-based mechanism to reduce climate-disrupting greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, Virginia's participation in RGGI is mandated by the General Assembly and only the General Assembly has the power to end its participation.