Governor Youngkin's plan to withdraw Virginia from the RGGI isn't based on science and sound policy. It's a political stunt, rooted in ideology and designed to appeal to his electoral base as he prepares to run for the presidency on the same "Trump Lite" platform he used to win the gubernatorial race in Virginia.

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.

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.