"The state’s former Republican governor illegally withdrew from RGGI. Now, a new Democratic governor is big on participation."
"RICHMOND, Va.— Virginia’s newly elected Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones took action Thursday that creates a pathway for Virginia to rejoin the carbon market called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI.
In November 2024, a judge in Floyd County Circuit Court ruled that the state must rejoin RGGI after its illegal withdrawal by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin. But that ruling was stayed pending a March 2025 appeal filed by Jones’ predecessor, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.
On Thursday, Jones’ filed a joint motion with environmental groups that sued Youngkin in the Court of Appeals of Virginia requesting a continuance that could lead to a settlement or withdrawal of Miyares’ appeal. The move is one of several maneuvers Democrats now in control of Virginia’s government are taking to resume participation in the regional carbon market.
“Today, the Commonwealth reopened the door for participation in RGGI, which we know lowers costs for the most vulnerable Virginians while holding industries accountable to transition to cleaner, more stable, and more affordable sources of energy,” said Jones in a statement Friday. “I am proud to have taken steps to correct course and set the Commonwealth back on a path toward long-term affordability and resilience.”"
Charles Paullin reports for Inside Climate News January 23, 2026.
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