Letter To The Editor

In 2020 Virginia passed the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act, allowing the commonwealth to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, pronounced ‘reggie’) and establishing the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). RGGI is a market-based cap and trade program with 11 participating states that generates new funds while reducing electricity sector emissions.

This pollution reduction program drives down greenhouse gas emissions, which improves air quality and public health while also contributing funds to help moderate income households with energy bills and flood protection. The Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act directed 50% of RGGI revenue to low-income energy efficiency programs, 45% to the CFPF, and 5% to administrative costs.

Between 2021 and 2023 when Governor Youngkin withdrew Virginia from RGGI—an ill-advised decision that is being challenged in the courts--carbon pollution from power plants dropped 22%, while Virginia raised more than $800 million to invest in home efficiency upgrades for low-income Virginians and flood mitigation across the state.

Clearly Virginia needs to rejoin RGGI to resume meeting the state's energy efficiency and flood control goals. Amendments to the current budget would enable the state to do just that. Yet rumor has it that budget conferees have removed them from consideration by the General Assembly.

Please urge your state legislators to lend their support to the following amendments in future budget bills:

• Item 4-5.12 directing the state to rejoin RGGI, and
• Item 102 restoring the Down-Payment Assistance and MHC Loan Acquisition Fund pilot programs funded by RGGI.

Audrey Clement
Arlington, VA 22205