Ralph Northam - What The Fuck? Deliberately Retains GOP Language Designed To Block Cap And Trade
To the dismay of environmental groups, Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday signed a new state budget; choosing not to veto language aimed at blocking Virginia from taking part in a carbon cap-and-trade program that would ultimately reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The decision muddles a recently approved regulation that enabled the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a program that has reduced carbon emissions by more than 35 percent in participating states. The cap-and-trade program works by putting limits on a state’s carbon emissions, establishing a market where states that do not meet the cap can trade emissions allowances to states that exceed it.
While the state regulators voted to join the program, Virginia Republicans introduced language to the budget that prevented the state from using funds to join RGGI.
In a letter to the General Assembly, Northam acknowledged that he was “extremely disappointed that the General Assembly included several provisions in the budget that will harm Virginians.” Still, Northam chose to abstain from vetoing the language, opting instead to direct the Department of Environmental Quality to “identify ways to implement the regulation and achieve our pollution reduction goals.” Northam further resolved that he “will not be constrained by these provisions” as he develops a proposed budget for the fall.
EDIT
https://wtvr.com/2019/05/02/northam-keeps-gop-language-intended-to-block-participation-in-carbon-cap-and-trade-program/
