Rejoining RGGI is a Huge Win for Virginia Climate and Communities

RICHMOND, Va. — On Friday, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a budget agreement that instantly green-lights the state to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

"Virginia is once again leading the way on climate solutions." said Emily Steinhilber, Director of Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds at EDF. "This legislation doesn't just cut pollution, it supports communities as they adapt to increased flood risk and creates a dedicated pathway to lower energy use increasing energy affordability for those who need it most. We are grateful to Governor Spanberger and the General Assembly for recognizing that a cleaner grid and affordable bills go hand-in-hand."

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative delivers environmental, health, and economic benefits for Virginians by cutting carbon pollution and driving a shift toward cheaper, cleaner energy sources. It also helps stabilize customer energy bills and generates consistent funding for participating states. In Virginia, this revenue is directly reinvested into communities to finance flood resilience projects and lower electricity costs for low-income households through targeted energy efficiency programs.