Environmentalists call on the governor to change the state’s budget language so the caps can go into effect.
By Gregory S. Schneider Gregory S. Schneider Reporter covering Virginia from the Richmond bureau Email Bio Follow April 19 at 6:33 PM RICHMOND — Virginia regulators have voted to join a regional carbon cap-and-trade program, becoming the first Southern state to do so. The effort could lead to a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions from the state’s largest power plants.Republican lawmakers put language into the state budget that effectively prevents the state from participating.
It puts limits on carbon emissions from the biggest power generators and sets up the trading of allowances on a market. Emitters that come below the cap can sell allowances to those who exceed it.Republicans in the General Assembly argued this year that the system amounts to a tax on businesses. Del. Charles Poindexter sponsored a bill that prohibited the governor from entering into the regional program and gave authority for any such decision to the General Assembly.
At the same time, though, Republicans put language into the state budget that prohibits using any funds to join RGGI. Environmentalists argue that the governor has line-item veto power to strip the language out of the budget. But if he fails to act by May 3, the General Assembly would have to take up the matter in next year’s session.
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