Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Statement: RGGI Repeal Legislation Defeat is a Win For Climate and Virginia’s Communities

By: Sierra Club Virginia Chapter

Richmond, Va – Today the Senate Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee voted down SB1001, a bill to repeal Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI protects climate pollution and improves air quality in communities by creating limits on pollution from the power sector that increase over time. The program also creates revenue that is invested in Virginia’s communities by enforcing a monetary price on climate emissions. RGGI has raised more than $500 million dedicated to energy efficiency for low-income families, community resiliency and flood responsiveness since Virginia began fully participating in the program in 2021.

In response to today’s vote, Connor Kish, Legislative and Political Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, had this to say:

 RGGI is working for Virginia and delivering results: lower emissions, cleaner air, more jobs, and healthier communities. We commend the Senate Democrats for rejecting this anti-climate and anti-health effort by Governor Youngkin. RGGI strengthens our commonwealth and benefits our most vulnerable families, so we will continue to strongly oppose any effort to withdraw from this common-sense program.