Mastodawn

Can a #carbon price lower power bills? #Virginia is betting yes.
With power demand from #datacenters skyrocketing, the state is rejoining a regional climate initiative.
VA governor signed bill last month that would return Virginia to the Regional #GreenhouseGas Initiative, or #RGGI, carbon pricing program that covers electrical utilities in states across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Spanberger’s Republican predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, pulled out of the program in 2022.
https://grist.org/energy/spanberger-virginia-rggi-carbon-price-data-centers-dominion/

Can a carbon price lower power bills? Virginia is betting yes.

The state is straining to cope with electricity demand from data centers. Governor Abigail Spanberger thinks rejoining RGGI will help.

Grist

Lyle Solla-Yates Mar 23

Helpful rundown on this legislative session in Virginia focusing on the Bay #SaveTheBay #VALeg #conservation #Flood #RGGI #CleanWater #TreeCanopy https://www.cbf.org/virginia-legislative-session/

2026 Virginia Legislative Session • Chesapeake Bay Foundation

CBF works tirelessly with the Virginia General Assembly each year given the important impacts it can have on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The 2026 Virginia General Assembly session was no different. Throughout session, we urged legislators to accelerate efforts to reduce pollution and prioritize the restoration of Virginia’s rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay so that future generations can enjoy their beauty and bounty.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Lyle Solla-Yates Feb 28

https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-02-27/virginia-rggi-environment-spanberger-budget-dominion-mcdougle-herring “There are benefits from the reduction of carbon emissions." #VALeg #climate #RGGI #flooding #weatherization #PublicHealth #CleanAir #wildfire #energy #inflation

Lyle Solla-Yates Jan 22

https://virginiamercury.com/2026/01/22/spanberger-democratic-lawmakers-are-pressing-for-virginia-to-rejoin-rggi-heres-how-it-would-work/ “RGGI generated hundreds of millions of dollars for Virginia — dollars that went directly to flood mitigation, energy efficiency programs, and lowering bills for families who need help most” #RGGI #Virginia #VALeg #climate #Flood #energy #inflation #shortage

Spanberger, Democratic lawmakers are pressing for Virginia to rejoin RGGI. Here’s how it would work. • Virginia Mercury

In her first address to the joint General Assembly, Gov. Abigail Spanberger stated that Virginia will rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI.

Virginia Mercury

Lyle Solla-Yates Dec 20, 2025

https://www.wvtf.org/news/2025-12-19/virginia-democrats-hint-at-re-embrace-of-regional-greenhouse-gas-initiative “Virginia communities are flooding and electric prices are hurting Virginia families” #Virginia #VAPol #RGGI #flooding #energy #shortage #inflation #climate

Virginia Democrats hint at re-embrace of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Gov. Glenn Youngkin's warning to keep Virginia out is unlikely to be honored by Democrats when he leaves office.

WVTF

Gina Intheburg 🇺🇦 🌻 🥥🌴Mar 13, 2025

Another #GOP boondoggle -

#Virginia court freezes order that Virginia’s return to #RGGI (Regional #GreenhouseGas Initiative) while #VAgov Youngkin (R) appeals lower court ruling he acted illegally when he took the state out of the regional carbon-trading program.

Virginians lose out on millions in funding for #energy efficiency & flood preparedness.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/court-freezes-order-on-virginias-rggi-exit-2/

#ClimateChange #Flooding

Court freezes order on Virginia’s RGGI exit

The state will remain out of the regional carbon-trading program, pending appeal of a finding that the state's withdrawal was illegal.

E&E News by POLITICO

gentlegardener Nov 21, 2024

Good news outta #floydva
#rggi

https://virginiamercury.com/2024/11/20/judge-deems-youngkins-actions-to-withdraw-virginia-from-rggi-unlawful/

Judge deems Youngkin’s actions to withdraw Virginia from RGGI ‘unlawful’ • Virginia Mercury

Judge Randall Lowe determined GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin acted unlawfully by withdrawing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Virginia Mercury

Lyle Solla-Yates Nov 20, 2024

https://virginiamercury.com/2024/11/20/judge-deems-youngkins-actions-to-withdraw-virginia-from-rggi-unlawful/ “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.” #virginia #climate #rggi #goodnews

Judge deems Youngkin’s actions to withdraw Virginia from RGGI ‘unlawful’ • Virginia Mercury

Judge Randall Lowe determined GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin acted unlawfully by withdrawing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Virginia Mercury

Brad Johnson Oct 16, 2024

Gabrielle Gurley takes on the fractured US power grid and the lurching regional attempts to rein in carbon pollution, from RGGI to ERCOT https://prospect.org/environment/2024-10-16-falling-into-climate-disaster/
#uspol #climate #cleanenergy #grid #ercot #rggi #fossilfuels

Falling Into Climate Disaster

Red and blue states look past each other on issues like carbon emissions, power generation.

The American Prospect

Lyle Solla-Yates Oct 6, 2024

https://virginiamercury.com/2024/10/04/youngkin-shares-update-on-helene-damage-in-virginia-urges-to-not-be-distracted-by-climate-change/ “we’re seeing so much more water damage, and I think that is a result of the warm waters, which is a result of climate change” #climate #flooding #rggi #virginia #uspolitics #helene

Youngkin shares update on Helene damage in Virginia, urges to not be “distracted” by climate change • Virginia Mercury

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin shared that thousands remain without power and declined to answer how climate change influenced the storm.

Virginia Mercury