Judge Rules: Governor Youngkin Effort to Pull Virginia Out of RGGI was Illegal

RICHMOND, VA – The Floyd County Circuit Court ruled today that Gov. Glenn Youngkin administration’s decision to direct the Air Pollution Control Board to end Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) was unlawful. The decision upholds the argument that environmental advocacy groups, activists, and lawmakers have been making for years: only the Virginia General Assembly has the authority to repeal the RGGI regulations. 

RGGI is a multi-state cap-and-invest program that gradually limits carbon emissions from power plants and charges polluters for their emissions. In Virginia, the associated revenue funds flood resilience and low-income energy efficiency programs, including weatherization and efficient affordable housing construction. RGGI is overwhelmingly supported by the public, with 66% of Virginians in support and over 95% of public comments during the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) advocating against RGGI repeal. 

In today’s decision, the Circuit Court ruled that “the only body with the authority to repeal the RGGI Regulation would be the General Assembly. This is because a statute, the RGGI Act, requires the RGGI Regulation to exist.” This corroborates comments submitted by CCAN to the Air Board in 2023, which stated that the RGGI Act “is not a vague directive for state agencies to administer RGGI when and as they see fit. It is a mandate.”

“Today’s decision is a testament to the legislative accomplishments of the General Assembly and their incredible work to protect our health and environment,” said Victoria Higgins, Virginia Director for Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “RGGI is critical, proven, and overwhelmingly popular. More importantly, it is the law. Today, I want to especially extend our thanks to state Delegate Charniele Herring and former Senator Lynwood Lewis, who were the patrons that introduced and passed this strong climate law.”

 #   #   #

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

The Mideast war hurts humanity and climate progress. We support Bernie Sanders’ resolutions.

We are a climate group laser focused on clean energy solutions to global warming. But we are also human beings whose hearts break over the seemingly endless war and suffering in the Middle East. The double tragedy of the current war is it diverts world attention and resources away from other vital issues like our collapsing climate.

We agree with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vr.) that Israel has the right to defend itself, especially after the horrifying Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. We also agree with Sen. Sanders that Israel must follow U.S. and international laws governing the use of weapons against innocent noncombatants. Sadly, as outlined in Sen. Sanders’ letter to his Senate colleagues, Israel is not following those standards.

Therefore, we support the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval that Senator Sanders announced at a press conference today, accompanied by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). It is our hope that the adoption of these resolutions can speed the end of this current war and all its suffering.

War is bad for people and the climate. Contact your U.S. Senators: Tell them to vote “yes” on resolutions to make sure American weapons used in the Gaza conflict meet U.S. and international humanitarian laws protecting innocent civilians.

If we want citizens in this country and the world to care about the facts of any international issue – from war to climate change – then our government must acknowledge facts and follow the law. By ignoring and therefore condoning Israel’s improper use of weapons in Gaza, the U.S. is not only aiding mass killing, it’s eroding the entire rules-based order of international law.

To be clear, first and foremost, this is a humanitarian tragedy with assistance from U.S. taxpayers. It must stop. Secondarily, if we ever want to lead again on any global issue, including climate change, we have to acknowledge vital truths and act in the best interest of all nations.

Contact your U.S. Senators: Tell them to vote “yes” on resolutions to make sure American weapons used in the Gaza conflict meet U.S. and international humanitarian laws protecting innocent civilians.

To reiterate, we are first and foremost a clean energy group with one overriding mission: To solve the climate crisis everywhere with clean energy for everyone.

But this is an intersectional world and from time to time it is important to speak out on issues of justice that impact all people and all issues. We are not alone. Climate groups like Sunrise and longtime leaders like the Rev. Lennox Yearwood are supporting this call to action — recognizing that all our struggles are connected. 

The Senate committee is expected to vote tomorrow on Sen. Sanders’ resolutions. As a diverse organization, with staff members who are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and nonreligious, we hope you will contact your U.S. Senators today and urge them to vote “yes”.

Broad Coalition of 34 Environmental and Clean Energy Groups Unite to Oppose PJM’s Proposal to Fast-Track Natural Gas Projects

RICHMOND, VA — A coalition of 34 groups from across the mid-Atlantic region today released a letter announcing their united opposition to a new proposal by PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM) that could fast-track natural gas projects in the regional interconnection queue. The coalition, which represents hundreds of thousands of environmental and clean energy activists in the PJM region, delivered the letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Willie Phillips, PJM Board Chairman Mark Takahashi, and three other leaders at FERC and PJM. 

The PJM Board of Managers is currently considering whether or not to allow for expedited interconnection approval for certain resources, including natural gas, a move that threatens to exacerbate the climate crisis while sidelining renewable energy solutions essential to grid reliability and climate goals. The PJM Board will issue their final decision on Thursday, November 21. 

“PJM’s unnecessary logjams have left hundreds of clean energy projects delayed in the interconnection queue for multiple years. To now fast-track fossil fuel projects ahead of clean energy projects means further delays for these projects who have waited long enough,” said Quentin Scott, Federal Director at Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “These projects can deliver reliable, low-cost energy while reducing emissions and addressing the urgent need for climate action.”

The letter is signed by environmental groups and clean energy industry representatives from Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and more. Signatories include Advance Maryland, CASA, Center for Progressive Reform, Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVa), Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition, Maryland Legislative Coalition, New Virginia Majority, PennFuture, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Virginia Sierra Club and dozens of others. Their letter highlights these key concerns:

  • Reliability Misconceptions: During extreme weather events like Winter Storm Elliott, natural gas and coal plants proved highly unreliable. PJM’s own analysis shows that hybridized clean energy resources, such as solar-plus-storage, provide greater reliability during peak demand periods.
  • Queue Bottlenecking: With over 90% of the 287 GW of resources in PJM’s interconnection queue coming from renewables, fast-tracking gas projects would further delay these essential clean energy sources.
  • Economic and Environmental Costs: Fast-tracking fossil fuels not only imposes greater capacity auction costs on consumers but also perpetuates public health and climate harms linked to continued fossil fuel infrastructure development.

“Due to the low reliability value of gas power plants, increased extreme weather expected due to climate change, and public health and climate impacts of fossil fuels, we strongly oppose the current fast-tracking proposal,” the letter states.

READ THE LETTER AND SEE ALL SIGN-ONS HERE

If the PJM Board passes the proposal, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would need to approve it. The letter was also shared with FERC and relevant Congressional energy committees.

 #   #   #

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.