See below for a press release from the Virginia NAACP, regarding this horrendous bill by right-wing State Sen. Richard Stuart (R), which “Repeals the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act and directs the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to take all steps necessary to suspend the Commonwealth’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative market-based trading program.” Straight to Sen. Louise Lucas’ proverbial (or real) trash can!
RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia State Conference NAACP (Virginia NAACP) opposes SB 1001 Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act; repeals Act. This legislation, introduced by Senator Richard H. Stuart, will effectively remove the Commonwealth from participation in the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. issued the following statement today:
“We are already distributing funding to localities to mitigate against flooding, provide resources for weatherization of homes in communities of low-wealth, and promote energy efficiency improvements which will help low-wealth Virginians’ energy cost burdens. Without an alternative solution, pulling us out of it doesn’t make sense.”
Passed into law in 2020, the Commonwealth joined RGGI with the purpose of lowering carbon dioxide emissions and mandated proceeds generated from RGGI to be used to develop resilient communities across the state. Fifty percent of RGGI revenue is directed to low-income energy efficiency programs and 40% to the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund.
Since its implementation, RGGI has generated over $228 million dollars, and funds have been dispersed to almost thirty communities for various critical infrastructure and program capacity building needs.
The Virginia NAACP demands the Senate to vote no SB 1001.
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