Virginia needs to stay the course and remain in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Pulling us from the program would necessitate finding other ways to reduce our carbon emissions that could be less effective.

I have 3 small children. I want to ensure they are not forced to inherit a world plagued by natural disasters and other devastating consequences of global warming, the majority of which has been due to fossil fuel use in the US. While we have made improvements and no longer lead the way in fossil fuel use, we have a debt to the world for leading the majority of fossil fuel consumption grossly out of proportion to our population and to the detriment of the entire planet. We have the ability to slow the damage but only through programs like RGGI that show commitment to shift away from fossil fuels.

The proceeds VA receives from RGGI auctions fund critical nature-based resilience projectsfrom living shorelines to expanding wetlands. These projects slow erosion and reduce the flow of sediment and nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay. The proceeds also reduce energy usage and utility bills for renters with lower incomes as well as homeowners, further reducing carbon emissions.

Collectively, we can slow the potentially devastating impacts of climate change. I urge you to keep Virginia in this program.