glenn youngkin
Newsletter
Virginia to drop California’s emissions rules by year’s end
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the state's plan to abandon California's vehicle emissions standards by the end of the year, citing an opinion from the Attorney General.
Denise Lavoie and Sarah Brumfield report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Governor Youngkin stated that Virginia will cease following California’s vehicle emissions standards starting January 1.
- The decision was based on an opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares that Virginia isn’t obligated to comply with California’s new mandates.
- The move has been criticized by Democrats and environmental advocates as illegal and detrimental to public health.
Key quote:
“Virginia is declaring independence – this time from a misguided electric vehicle mandate imposed by unelected leaders nearly 3,000 miles away from the Commonwealth.”
— Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
Why this matters:
California's standards are known for their stringent limits on vehicle emissions, including greenhouse gases and other pollutants that contribute to respiratory issues and climate warming. By aligning more closely with federal standards, which are generally less rigorous, Virginia may see increased vehicle emissions, potentially affecting air quality and public health.
Keep reading...Show less
Environmental justice advocates in Virginia fear recent legal gains could be thwarted by politics in Richmond
The state’s Council on Environmental Justice needs additional funding, they say, while the Republican Youngkin administration hasn’t made community environmental concerns a priority.
Judge deals blow to legal effort to halt Virginia’s RGGI withdrawal
A legal effort to thwart Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin’s bid to unilaterally withdraw the state from a regional carbon-reduction pact has hit a technical snag.
With Democrats back in control of Virginia’s General Assembly, environmentalists see a narrow path forward for climate policy
New Democratic majorities in the Senate and House of Delegates aren’t nearly big enough to override vetoes by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, described by one Democrat as “mostly hostile to climate policy.” But Democrats will control the regulation of utilities.
What’s at stake if RGGI disappears in Virginia?
Barring a last-minute change of heart or a judge’s order, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration plans to sever the state’s ties to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative at the end of this year.
Newsletter
Trump’s former head of the EPA has been a quiet contributor to Virginia’s exit from RGGI
Gov. Glenn Youngkin caused an uproar picking Andrew Wheeler as his natural resources secretary. Senate Democrats blocked Wheeler’s nomination, but now he oversees regulatory efforts and remains involved in environmental policy.
Newsletter
Va. panel votes to exit carbon trading market in move Dems call unlawful
A Virginia regulatory board on Wednesday voted to withdraw the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, fulfilling a directive from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin but triggering the threat of legal action from environmental groups who say the board overstepped its authority.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
