Email from Senate of Virginia Update on Virginia and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Update on Virginia and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)   Greetings, A Virginia judge has ruled that Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration does not have the authority to unilaterally withdraw the Commonwealth from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Floyd County Circuit Court Judge C. Randall Lowe determined that only the General Assembly has the power to remove Virginia from the program, referencing the 2020 law that brought the state into RGGI and explicitly excluded the Air Pollution Control Board from involvement. This ruling deemed the administration’s attempt to repeal regulations governing Virginia’s participation unlawful. In response, Governor Youngkin has expressed disagreement, citing RGGI’s impact on rising utility costs for Virginians, and has committed to appealing the decision.   What is RGGI? The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cooperates among 11 states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Virginia joined RGGI in 2020 under the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act, intending to improve air quality and address climate change. However, RGGI has functioned as a hidden tax on working families. The program increases electricity prices without effectively addressing pollution. Virginians are seeing higher utility bills while gaining no substantial reductions in emissions, placing an unfair financial burden on taxpayers. Why This Matters Virginia’s participation in RGGI has increased energy costs for families and businesses across the state, with no clear environmental benefits. Alternative, more cost-effective solutions are available to address pollution without burdening citizens. Governor Youngkin and I share the commitment to reducing living costs for Virginians. I fully support his decision to appeal this ruling and oppose RGGI’s regressive financial impact. Our policies should prioritize the well-being of working families, ensuring that environmental initiatives are both effective and economically sensible. A Call for Leadership Virginians deserve leadership that balances financial responsibility with environmental stewardship. RGGI has proven to be an ineffective and costly policy, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable in our communities. I am dedicated to working with Governor Youngkin to contest this ruling and advocate for solutions that truly benefit Virginians. We must stand together to shield families and businesses from unnecessary financial strain. Let’s pursue smarter, more effective policies to address climate concerns while lowering energy costs for everyone in the Commonwealth. Together, we can ensure a brighter and more affordable future for all Virginians. As always, my team and I are here to assist with any questions or concerns you may have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at 434.374.5129 or via email at [email protected].   We are so thankful that a wonderful group of ladies are putting on the first official fundraiser to benefit my nonprofit The Windsong Foundation! Next Saturday, December 7th, you can tour seven beautifully decorated homes and one historic church in Clarksville for a $25 contribution. Tickets are available to purchase at Rooted Cafe, The Cottage Barn, and Integrity Real Estate, all in downtown Clarksville. Rooted Cafe, 307 Virginia Avenue, Clarksville The Cottage Barn, 334 Virginia Avenue, Clarksville Integrity Real Estate, 114 Fourth Street, Clarksville   Start Up Toolbox: Understanding Budget and Taxes Are you a new business owner navigating the next steps after setting up your LLC and EIN? Join America's SBDC Virginia for a virtual workshop on December 5th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM to learn about the basics of taxes and expenses for your business. Topics include: Your tax responsibilities Who to pay and when Managing personal vs. business finances Staying in compliance Link To Registration Volunteering can really change lives, both yours and those around you. Ever thought about becoming a volunteer firefighter. Our community needs more folks like you who are willing to step up when things get tough. It's not just about putting out fires—it's about being there for your community in their time of need. Link To Video Link To Become A Volunteer Join me and my colleagues for Coffee with Legislators on December 19th! The Danville Treasurer’s Office and the Virginia Department of the Treasury will host a virtual unclaimed property event on Thursday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 6, to assist residents in locating  missing money. Link To Article Beneficial Ownership Info Don’t miss the upcoming BOI reporting deadline Beneficial ownership information refers to identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control a company. In 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act on a bipartisan basis. This law creates a new beneficial ownership information reporting requirement as part of the U.S. government’s efforts to make it harder for bad actors to hide or benefit from their ill-gotten gains through shell companies or other opaque ownership structures. Additional Information Here Additional Information Here Additional Information Here The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is seeking a passionate and skilled GO Virginia Program Administrator to join their team in Richmond! This role offers the opportunity to lead initiatives that drive regional economic growth and innovation. If you're ready to make a difference, apply today and help them build a stronger, more vibrant Virginia! Apply Here Help shape the future of SVCC by sharing your thoughts and ideas for their Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on student success. A Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a focused project designed to improve student learning or success. It’s a collaborative effort involving students, faculty, and staff, all working together to create positive changes for the college’s future. Your input will help determine the focus of this important plan for the next five years. Link To Survey DONATE Email Us P.O. Box 145, Clarksville, VA 23927 (434) 374 5129 Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Tammy Mulchi | P.O. Box 145, Clarksville, VA 23927 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!