In a win for Virginia communities, state rejoins RGGI

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Today marks Virginia’s official reentry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Virginia became the first Southern state to enter the program in 2020, but was subsequently removed from it by former Governor Glenn Youngkin. Now, following a legal battle and several legislative victories ensuring that participation is codified even further, the state resumesparticipation in the program.  

“All of the policy work, advocacy, and the lawsuit have led to this moment. Groups across Virginia have fought side by side to reenter the program and I couldn’t be more proud of all of us,” said SELC Senior Attorney Nate Benforado. “The work doesn’t stop here though. We know there are still detractors pushing false narratives. We know utilities want to build new harmful gas plants just to serve trillion dollar companies and their data center needs. This will drive electricity bills even higher, put our financial security at risk, and threaten the health of Virginia communities. We have the tools, including RGGI, to put Virginia communities first while improving affordability.” 

Benforado led litigation challenging the removal of the state from RGGI.  

In November 2024, the Circuit Court of Floyd County ruled in favor of the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, holding that the regulatory action removing Virginia from RGGI was unlawful. The state appealed the circuit court’s ruling and was permitted to suspend the judgment during the appeal, meaning the state has remained out of RGGI while the appeal has proceeded.

Earlier this year once Governor Abigail Spanberger took office, the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and its director withdrew that appeal.