Virginia Governor Releases $67 Million in RGGI Funds for Home Weatherization Repairs for Over 1,000 Homes
RICHMOND — Governor Abigail Spanberger announced on October 8 the release of more than $67 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds, previously withheld by the Youngkin administration, to support home weatherization repairs and upgrades across Virginia for more than 1,000 homes, with the aim of lowering families' monthly energy bills.
The funds will flow through the Commonwealth's Weatherization Deferral Repair (WDR) program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) together with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) through a statewide network of 15 weatherization providers. The work addresses urgent housing and energy-efficiency needs, including leaking roofs, structural issues, electrical and plumbing problems, and mold or moisture damage. Within Virginia's plan for RGGI proceeds, DHCD also directed $52 million in previously withheld RGGI funding to the Affordable and Special Needs Housing program, to incorporate enhanced energy-efficiency standards into the construction, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of affordable housing.
RGGI is a regional cap-and-invest program whose auction proceeds fund energy efficiency and clean energy efforts. According to the governor's announcement, Virginia has rejoined RGGI and, through state action, established bill credits for residential customers and small businesses to offset the near-term cost of participation.
Sources: Office of the Virginia Governor; Virginia DHCD
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 弗吉尼亚州议会大厦，Richmond。Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
