The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of June 7, 2023:
State air board votes to leave Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
The move is a culmination of efforts by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to leave RGGI (commonly pronounced Reggie), which he calls a tax on Virginia ratepayers, specifically those getting electricity from Dominion Energy.
RGGI is a cap-and-trade program — a market-based scheme to reduce carbon emissions by assigning a cost to each ton of CO2 expelled by power plants. It gives generators a choice: Invest in cleaner energy or pay to emit carbon by buying into a pool of allowances, which grow more scarce and more expensive over time.
Youngkin argues Dominion passes these costs onto consumers, giving them no incentive to divest from fossil fuels, and that the program has little effect on carbon emissions. Proponents of the program, however, say Youngkin is pulling the plug before its effect can be adequately measured.
Huguenot grad, stepfather killed in graduation shooting
Reported by VPM News’ Dave Cantor
A 19-year-old was arrested Wednesday in connection with a shooting in Monroe Park following a high school graduation.
Amari Pollard is facing two counts of second-degree murder, and Richmond’s interim police chief says there could be additional charges.
In other news:
- FloydFest co-founder and event 'part ways' (Roanoke Times)
In case you missed it:
- Richmond committee OKs updated casino plans (VPM News)
- The Enrichmond files: Inside the group's mysterious collapse (Axios Richmond)