“It is important that we continue to participate in RGGI, a proven climate action,” SELC senior attorney Nate Benforado said in a news release. “People of Virginia know they need this program and they have no time to waste. I am going.”
Virginia joins 11-state RGGI That was after Democrats, who controlled the General Assembly at the time, passed a sweeping energy bill in 2021 that would require states to phase out carbon-based fuels. It was signed into law by the governor at the time. Ralph Northam (Democrat).
Youngkin, who was elected later that year, took office vowing to keep Virginia out of the market, but that proved difficult and required several different approaches.He said the cost of the carbon auction was Equivalent to a tax on energy consumers.
Dominion Energy, the state’s largest utility, said it adds about $2.39 to the average customer’s monthly utility bill to cover the cost of complying with RGGI requirements. The state board of companies suspended its charges this year in anticipation of Virginia’s withdrawal from RGGI, but Dominion was successful in reinstating slightly higher charges this summer.
At the same time, the RGGI auction returned approximately $589 million to the State of Virginia to mitigate the effects of sea level rise due to climate change, pursuant to legislation passed by the General Assembly. Energy efficiency for low-income households.
Shortly after taking office in 2022, Jonkin sought to withdraw from RGGI by presidential decree, but members of the General Assembly argued that he could not override parliamentary action. Democrats who control the state Senate this year rejected a Republican bill that would have forced Virginia to withdraw.
Jonkin called for the ban to be lifted. In June, the State Air Pollution Control Board, whose members were majority-appointed by Youngkin, voted to begin the process of withdrawing from RGGI. After a 30-day review period, Youngkin formally applied. notice of withdrawal The end of July, with an effective date of December 31st.
“RGGI remains a regressive tax and does not help Virginia reduce emissions,” Natural and Historic Resources Secretary Travis Boyles said in a written statement Monday. He said the Aviation Commission “does not believe that Virginia should join RGGI,” and state attorney general Jason S. Miyares, a Republican, said the commission has the authority to act. He said that he was expressing his opinion.
Boyles acknowledged that Virginia’s emissions have declined over the past few years, but countered that Virginia imports more electricity from other states that are still high-emissions.
Several environmental groups, as well as Democratic lawmakers, argued that the Jonkin government was overstepping its powers by overriding Congressional laws. But the administration claims that the 2021 law “sanctions” RGGI membership without coercion.
The SELC lawsuit will test that premise. The application was submitted on behalf of the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, and the Appalachian Voice and Face Alliance for Climate Solutions.
“Our participation in RGGI has been effective in achieving significant pollution reductions while benefiting communities from Hampton Roads to the Coalfields through investments in energy efficiency and flood mitigation programs.” said Peter Anderson, director of energy policy at Appalachian Voices, in a news release. . “RGGI is a very popular climate change action for Virginians, but more importantly, the law.”
The lawsuit was filed against the State Air Pollution Control Board, the Department of Environmental Quality, and Director Michael Rollband, alleging that it lacked the authority to exclude Virginia from the RGGI.