STOP RGGI Act

Plain-English Summary: STOP RGGI Act

The STOP RGGI Act is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that targets the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, commonly known as RGGI (pronounced "Reggie"). RGGI is a cooperative program among several Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states that sets a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and requires energy companies to purchase allowances (essentially permits) to emit greenhouse gases. The program uses the money raised from these allowances to fund clean energy and energy efficiency programs in participating states.

This bill appears aimed at limiting, restricting, or stopping federal involvement with or support for RGGI, though the specific mechanisms of the bill are not fully detailed in the available information. In general terms, bills with this type of title seek to prevent federal agencies or funds from being used to support state-level carbon cap-and-trade programs like RGGI. It may also seek to restrict the ability of states to participate in or enforce such programs in certain ways.

The bill would primarily affect states currently participating in RGGI — which include states like New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and several others — as well as the energy companies operating power plants in those states. Consumers in those states could also be indirectly affected, since energy pricing and utility costs are often tied to how power companies manage their emissions obligations. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.