Virginia NAACP Disapproves of Governor Younkin’s Efforts to Remove Virginia from RGGI

From the Virginia NAACP:

Virginia NAACP Disapproves of Governor Younkin’s Efforts to Remove Virginia
from RGGI

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Virginia State Conference NAACP (Virginia NAACP)
disapproves of efforts to remove the Commonwealth from participation in the
multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Passed into law in
2020, the Commonwealth joined RGGI with the purpose to lower 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 to
be 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 a variety of
critical infrastructure and program capacity building needs. Funds from this
program is already providing vital dollars to support flood-prone
communities such as the cities of Petersburg, Newport News, Winchester, Isle
of Wright, and Hampton Roads and Buchanan County to upgrade inadequate
stormwater and drainage systems. This program can also help to make homes in
vulnerable and marginalized communities more energy efficient, which will
result in lower energy cost burden for families.

The community benefit from this program is critical to many communities
throughout the state. To remove Virginia from RGGI without an alternative
plan, most importantly, funding source to help combat flooding, improve air
quality, and help to lower high energy cost burdens for communities of low
wealth is unimaginable and unjust. The Urgency is Now.

The Virginia NAACP urges the Governor to:

*       Cease all efforts to remove Virginia from RGGI.
*       Continue to collaborate with communities to improve resiliency and
promote energy efficiency improvements, particularly in our most vulnerable
and marginalized communities.

– ### –

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia
NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in
the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and
college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent
voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to
benefit Black people and people of color. You can read more about the
Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting
NAACPVA.org.