Judge rules that Virginia regulators didn’t have authority to end state participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2024

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org 

FLOYD, Va. — Today, the Floyd County Circuit Court released a ruling that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, its director and the State Air Pollution Control Board did not have the authority to end Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. 

“We’re pleased with this decision,” said Matt Allenbaugh, Appalachian Voices Virginia Campaign Coordinator. “A significant portion of RGGI proceeds were allocated by the General Assembly to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund to help communities prepare for and prevent catastrophic flooding. Getting back into RGGI as quickly as possible will help communities across the state prepare for, and hopefully prevent, damaging flooding from the next storm.”  

The flooding associated with Hurricane Helene demonstrated the importance of the efforts supported by RGGI, as 45% of RGGI auction proceeds in Virginia pay for projects and planning to mitigate this type of disaster. Helene damaged over 500 homes in Virginia, including 44 houses that were completely destroyed. Many businesses were also damaged or destroyed, and two lives were lost. 

Virginia participated in RGGI from 2021 through the end of 2023. During this time, Virginia’s greenhouse gas emissions from power plants dropped 22%. RGGI allocated over $372 million to flood prevention and resiliency efforts in Virginia, and the Appalachian region received nearly $14 million for these purposes. The program also funded over $413 million in energy efficiency and weatherization programs that helped low-income residents reduce their energy bills, be more comfortable in their homes and cut emissions. However, the State Air Pollution Control Board voted to end Virginia’s participation in the program starting in 2024.