Virginia is working with several other states to cut carbon emissions. But, the Commonwealth is not part of a new compact of states raising revenue to take action.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia are entering into a new agreement to require fuel suppliers to purchase emission allowances in exchange for creating air pollution. Virginia is considering joining those states in a memorandum of understanding. But that hasn't happened yet.
Delegate Sam Rasoul is a Democrat from Roanoke who says Virginia should take a hard look at joining the initiative as soon as possible.
"Clearly our regional leaders have spoken up and come up with a plan that makes sense," he says. "And if we're going to be developing a comprehensive climate action plan the Commonwealth of Virginia needs to be able to join similar initiatives."
If Virginia formally joins the Transportation and Climate Initiative, tax revenue from fuel suppliers would go to finance clean infrastructure projects; things like public transit and electric vehicle charging stations.
Stephen Haner at the Thomas Jefferson Institute says raising taxes on gas now would be an expensive mistake.
"People are already buying electric cars. People are already buying low-emission vehicles, and the amount of Co2 from transportation is already going down," Haner explains. "So they're trying to get to the head of a parade that's already going on."
In order to join the initiative and start raising revenue, the General Assembly would have to pass legislation formally entering the initiative. So far, that does not seem to be on the agenda for 2021.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
