Huge climate win for Virginians

Today, a circuit court judge confirmed that the decision to pull Virginia out of a successful climate program known as RGGI, or the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, was unlawful. 

Prior to the state administration’s unlawful repeal, Virginia participated in RGGI from 2021-2023. During that time, residents across the Commonwealth experienced huge benefits: 

• In just three years, Virginia’s power plant emissions dropped by more than 22 percent. 

• The state received $827 million to help communities plan for and become more resilient to floods, and also help low-income households reduce their energy bills. 

“Future generations deserve a livable climate,” says Senior Attorney Nate Benforado, a leader in the state’s attempt to rejoin the program. “This ruling puts Virginia back on track to address and adapt to climate change at a critical moment, while bringing in critically needed funding to help Virginians all across the Commonwealth.” 

We filed our challenge against the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board, Department of Environmental Quality, and its director, in August 2023. Three months later, the Fairfax Circuit Court dismissed three of four clients and transferred the case to Floyd County, where the remaining client – the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals – is headquartered. 

The Association’s members had been getting money from the RGGI program to help struggling households fix up their homes and become more energy efficient.    

Not only did the most recent decision in Floyd County Circuit Court confirm that the RGGI repeal was unlawful, the court also confirmed that the Association has standing to bring the case. 

Future generations deserve a livable climate.

Nate Benforado, SELC Senior Attorney

Billy Weitzenfeld and Chase Counts, the former and current executive directors of the Association, both say this is a win for the organization’s membership and Virginia communities. 

“All along, we knew the actions taken by the Air Board and DEQ were wrong,” Weitzenfeld said. “This is a win for communities across Virginia who have benefited from the state’s participation in RGGI in the past, and those that will now have a chance to continue to see those benefits.” 

This is what SELC’s place-based mission is all about and with the Trump administration heading back into the White House, state-level wins like this are more critical than ever.  

And we’re ready to fight for our communities across our region and beyond over the next four years.