Judge puts stop to governor’s effort to remove Virginia from greenhouse gas initiative
Virginia cannot withdraw from a multi-state initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions unless the Legislature agrees, a judge has ruled, dealing a blow to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s efforts to leave the pact.
The ruling, issued Monday by retired Floyd County Judge C. Randall Lowe, said the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board exceeded its authority when voted last year to leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is an effort by twelve states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. Participating states require power plants with a certain generation capacity to purchase rights to emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Virginia joined the compact in 2020 when it had both a Democratic governor and Democratic control of the Legislature. In 2021, Youngkin, a Republican, won election as governor, but one or both legislative chambers have remained under Democratic control throughout his tenure.
Youngkin has said Virginia’s participation in the cap-and-trade program amounts to a hidden tax on Virginians’ utility bills.
His spokesman, Christian Martinez, said Wednesday that the state will appeal the judge’s ruling.
“Governor Youngkin remains committed to lowering the cost of living for Virginians by continuing to oppose the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is failing to effectively drive emissions reductions across the Commonwealth,” he said in a written statement.
Shaun Kenney, a spokesman for Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, also expressed disappointment in the judge’s ruling in a written statement, saying: “We look forward to pursuing a common-sense repeal of this counterproductive program on appeal.” defend.”
The State Corporation Commission has estimated that the average monthly bill could increase by $2 to $2.50 between 2027 and 2030.
Last year, before the pollution board voted to end participation in the pact, Dominion Energy, the state’s largest utility, estimated it had incurred about $490 million in compliance costs from the initiative and recovered about $267 million from customers.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, a Democrat, praised the judge’s ruling, calling it “a victory for all Virginians, their wallets and our environment. RGGI-funded programs have helped Virginians reduce household energy costs, protect communities from flooding and have been critical in the fight to reduce pollution and address climate change.”