Southeast

Virginia

Virginia is home to a large interstate highway system, a dozen railroads, several busy commercial airports, and one of the nation’s largest seaports, making the transportation sector the state’s top energy consumer. Additionally, more than a third of the country’s coal exports are shipped through Virginia’s ports. The state has a significant coal-mining industry, but coal-fired electricity generation has been largely replaced by natural gas, and to a smaller extent, renewables.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2005 levels

2045

Net-zero

Governor

Glenn Youngkin (Republican)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

1/8/25 - 2/22/25

Key Offices & Links

21

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 6 policy areas

See all

41

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

See all

Southeast

14 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.

Glossary of Terms

The colored bars indicate the status for each policy on the Dashboard, viewed across seven policy areas.

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	Year Enacted
Not Enacted	Green Banks Empty column Green banks are public, quasi-public, or non-profit entities that use innovative financing to invest in climate solutions and attract private capital across various economic sectors.	Cross-Sector	Climate Finance
In-Progress	Carbon Pollution Pricing Empty column The Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act authorized Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initative, a cap-and-trade program that covers the electricity sector. Virginia was a participating state from 2021-2023. In June 2023, the Air Pollution Control Board voted to advance Governor Youngkin's proposal to withdraw from RGGI. In November 2024, a judge ruled that Virginia can’t withdraw from RGGI without the state legislature’s authorization. The ruling stated the state’s Air Pollution Control Board exceeded its authority when it voted to exit the program. Establishing Policies HB 981 (2020) SB 1027 (2020) Case No. CL23000173-00 Decision (2024)	Cross-Sector	Carbon Valuation
Enacted	Social Cost of Carbon Empty column Utilities must incorporate the social cost of carbon in applications for new generating facilities. Establishing Policies HB 1526 (2020)	Cross-Sector	Carbon Valuation	2020

Virginia

Key Offices & Links

21

41

Southeast

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Virginia

Climate Policies in Virginia