Statewide advocates to rally for Virginia to stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2022

CONTACT 
Jessica Sims, (804) 356-1228 jessica@appvoices.org 
Emily Piontek, (314) 562-2341 emily@appvoices.org 

Statewide advocates to rally for Virginia to stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Events planned for Richmond, Roanoke, Woodbridge, Harrisonburg, Virginia Beach and Abingdon

Richmond, VA — On Wednesday, August 31, communities across Virginia will rally at multiple locations to advocate for the commonwealth to remain in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Virginia’s decision in 2020 to enter the program has resulted in over $378 million of critical funding for communities and localities, and has supported low-income energy efficiency programs and flood resilience infrastructure.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has said he wants to remove Virginia from RGGI, and he may use the August 31 Air Pollution Control Board meeting to pressure citizen board members to vote to remove Virginia from the program via an emergency regulation. As the General Assembly approved Virginia’s RGGI participation via law, advocates assert that legislation would ultimately be required to remove the commonwealth from the program rather than administrative action.

In spite of the administration’s opposition to the program, public support for RGGI continues to grow. The program, which requires companies to purchase allowances if producing carbon emissions, results in energy cost savings and pollution reduction, with RGGI states reducing emissions by 50% since 2008. These results help to strengthen the commonwealth’s resilience, and the revenue from RGGI participation will continue to protect Virginians against increased flooding and extreme weather events, and to increase energy efficiency for low- and moderate-income households.

Multiple rallies, featuring speakers and members of the public, are occurring on August 31:

Richmond 
WHERE: 1651 E. Parham Rd, Richmond 
WHEN: 9 am – 10 am 
Contact: Jessica Sims, (804) 356-1228 

Roanoke
WHERE: 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke
WHEN: 9 am – 10:30 am
Contact: Emily Piontek, (314) 562-2341

Harrisonburg      
WHERE: 4411 Early Rd., Harrisonburg 
WHEN: 9 am – 10 am 
Contact: Andrew Payton, (301) 814-1374 

Woodbridge
WHERE: 14091 Noblewood Plaza, Dale City
WHEN: 12 pm
Contact: JP Fetherston, (202) 341-5086

Abingdon 
WHERE: 355 Deadmore St SE, Abingdon 
WHEN: 9 am 
Contact: Emma Kelly, (865) 585-4939 

Virginia Beach
WHERE: 310 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach
WHEN: 6 pm
Contact: Ann Creasy, (757) 513-2844

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Appalachian Voices is a leading nonprofit advocate for a healthy environment and just economy in the Appalachian region, and a driving force in America’s shift from fossil fuels to a clean energy future.