Court rules against Youngkin Administration’s unlawful RGGI withdraw

[Charlottesville, VA] — In a significant ruling, the Circuit Court of Floyd County ruled that the Youngkin administration acted unlawfully in its decision to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  

Last summer, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board approved a final regulation which unlawfully ended Virginia’s participation in RGGI, a proven and effective program that cuts pollution and drives critical climate mitigation and resilience investments for communities. 

“We are pleased with the court’s decision. RGGI is a cost-effective and proven approach for swiftly cutting climate pollution from Virginia’s power plants,” said Emily Steinhilber, Virginia director, Coasts and Watersheds at Environmental Defense Fund. “Virginia’s participation in RGGI brought millions of dollars in investments to our communities to fund crucial flood preparedness and energy efficiency programs.” 

Between 2021 and 2023, RGGI reduced emissions and generated revenues of over $800M in funding for both the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) and energy efficiency programs in the Commonwealth. The CFPF supports local governments’ capacity to plan and implement natural infrastructure and flood mitigation solutions with a particular focus on low-income areas of the Commonwealth. Programs focused on energy efficiency and weatherization helped lower-income households to reduce their energy burden.  

EDF thanks the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) for their leadership in representing the petitioner in this case. With the urgency and intensity of the climate crisis accelerating, EDF will continue to advocate for common-sense policies like RGGI that protect our environment and our communities.