Two years ago, Governor Glenn Youngkin illegally pulled Virginia out of an air pollution reduction program called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The result? Pollution from power plants skyrocketed, and Youngkin’s administration is in court. Already, one judge has deemed his action unlawful, but a lengthy appeals process continues to play out. 

RGGI creates indispensable revenue for flood resilience and low-income energy efficient housing by charging big polluters for every ton of pollution they produce. Without this revenue, state lawmakers have had to fund these essential programs with taxpayer dollars or not at all.

But Governor Youngkin is on his way out. In November, Virginia will elect its next Governor. Tell the next Governor of Virginia – put Virginia back in RGGI on Day One!
 

SIGN THE PETITION!

Dear Governor-elect,

Virginia is in the throes of the climate crisis. Hurricane Helene inflicted billions of dollars of damage to Southwest Virginia, and scientists confirm this damage was made hundreds of times more likely by climate change. Every year, we face extreme weather events that damage infrastructure, threaten lives, and cause energy bills to surge. 

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a key tool to stop the bleeding and ensure Virginia is doing its part to put us on a path to climate stability. RGGI not only lowers pollution from power plants, ushering in cleaner air and a healthier future for our children, but also funds essential programs to make the state more resilient to extreme weather and lower energy costs for our most vulnerable residents. 

Without RGGI, pollution from power plants has skyrocketed, and state lawmakers have had to fund these essential programs with taxpayer dollars or not at all.

We are calling on you as the next Governor of Virginia to undo Governor Glenn Youngkin’s illegal order and put the state back in RGGI on Day One of the next administration.  

Sincerely,