Powered by Facts: Renewable Virginia Energy

VA Energy Facts, News, Legislation

Governor Northam’s Renewable Energy Vision

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Last month, Governor Northam announced an executive order that seeks to require Virginia to produce 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by the year 2050. Northam noted that this shift would help mitigate the risks associated with climate change. In the near term, the order requires certain executive agencies to develop a plan for meeting this goal. By 2030, the goal is to power 30% of the state’s electricity needs through renewable sources. Currently, in Virginia, only about 5% of our electricity is carbon-free.

The goal is ambitious, and many are concerned that without the proper legislative support, it won’t succeed. An executive order only binds executive agencies and cannot be directed at private companies or individuals. Only the legislative branch may pass laws that are binding on private citizens. As a result, support from Virginia’s General Assembly will be integral in bringing this goal to fruition, which has not been present in the past. However, this November elections will be held for both the Senate and House of Delegates, which could shift the legislature’s attitude towards renewables.

Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power have both indicated some level of support for the initiative. The two energy giants will play a significant role in the energy landscape in Virginia in the coming years.

What are the specifics?

Governor Northam’s Executive Order 43, “Expanding access to clean energy and growing the clean energy jobs of the future,” orders state agencies to create a plan to “produce 30 percent of Virginia’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and one hundred percent of Virginia’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050.”

There is no definition of what energy sources are acceptable under this order, but it does make mention of wind and solar. As the order stands, it does prevent biomass from being included in the mix of renewables. Additionally, it specifically references “carbon-free sources,” which means that nuclear power will also be an acceptable means of reaching this goal. Additionally, there is no definite answer on whether this order will require all of the renewable energy be produced in Virginia, or if it can be purchased from other states.

Some of the specific policy outcomes of this order include the development of offshore wind, increased investment into energy efficiency measures, investment in and integration of storage technology, and, of course, the continued expansion of solar and wind, both utility-scale and distributed.

There are still many questions about Executive Order 43 that will likely be answered as the state agencies develop action plans, however, the goal should be seen as a step in the right direction for Virginia.

 

Rapid Response: Dominion Preventing Customer Transfers

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Dominion Energy claims to be protecting its consumers by preventing its larger customers from moving to competitors. Companies like Costco and Kroger have most recently attempted to switch electricity providers, specifically to Direct Energy Business and Calpine Energy Solutions. Dominion’s attorneys went so far as to say in a brief that the company is “declining to be complicit in Calpine’s provision of unauthorized and illegal service to customers.” But whether the service is unauthorized is still up for debate.

It has made the process of transferring providers deliberately difficult in an effort to keep commercial customers, and, in some cases, denied transfers altogether. The State Corporation Commission continues to hold hearings on the matter and had one just last week, but the decision is still pending. Read the full story here.

News Roundup: Solar Expansion in Virginia and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline

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Amazon is launching renewable energy projects in Virginia and Ireland

Amazon just announced its intention to build two large-scale renewable energy projects. One is a wind farm in Ireland, and the other is a solar farm right here in Virginia. The proposed installation is set to be built in Pittsylvania County and will begin producing energy in 2020. The farm’s capacity is 45 megawatts, which will be used to offset the massive energy needs of Amazon’s data centers. Virginians hope that this project will bring jobs and economic growth to its rural areas and promote a greener energy future. Read the full story here.

Fairfax County plans a historic solar buy—if Dominion Energy doesn’t stand in the way

Fairfax County announced in June that it hopes to install solar at up to 130 of its county facilities and schools. It has sent out a request for proposals to companies to install panels for a mixture of roofs, ground-mounted solar, and canopies over parking lots. Approximately 15 solar companies attended a bidder’s conference, and the county hopes to select a contractor by this fall. However, the county is likely to run into issues with Virginia’s current laws on power purchase agreements, which caps PPAs at 50 MW. Read the full story here.

Despite Court Rulings, Atlantic Coast Pipeline Still On Track, Dominion Says

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been met with a significant number of challenges, as it is viewed by many as an uneconomic investment that also poses threats to the environment. One of the latest challenges was a failed permit that is required from the Fish & Wildlife Service. It was rejected due to concerns about four endangered species. The Fourth Circuit Court has also ruled that the Pipeline cannot cross the Appalachian Trail, but the US Supreme Court has recently agreed to take up the appeal. Despite this, Dominion still contends that the pipeline is still on track to be built. Read the full story here.

Virginia utility could become statewide test case for solar net metering

Customer solar installations have become very popular in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which is threatening to exceed the utility-imposed cap on net-metering. The city’s utility, the Harrisonburg Electric Commission, previously set the cap at 1% of the utility’s peak demand for the previous year. Ultimately, they reached a decision to raise the cap to 2% to avoid any issues in the near-term. This decision, however, will have larger implications for discussions surrounding the policy rationale behind caps on net-metering. Read the full story here.

Tariffs on Solar Threaten Renewables Industry

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Earlier this month, the Trump administration decided to place tariffs on solar panels produced abroad. The tariffs could reach as much as 30%, which threatens to damage a $28 billion industry.

What is a tariff?

We’ve heard a lot about tariffs in the news recently, in particular in relation to China. They’ve been used as a way to threaten other countries into “fairer” trade practices, but what does that actually mean?

A tariff is a tax on imported goods. Generally, tariffs are imposed as a way to protect domestic industries. Making imported goods more expensive prevents foreign goods from entering the market and makes the domestic choice cheaper in comparison. Tariffs, however, generally skew the market, prevent fair and open trade among countries, and the costs are often borne by the consumer.

How will this impact solar?  

The solar industry relies on foreign imports for about 80% of the parts used for solar panels. The Solar Energy Industries Association has projected tens of thousands of job losses throughout the industry. Some solar developers are already discussing pulling out of projects currently being worked on.

The Trump Administration has approved four years of tariffs on solar imports, starting at 30% with a gradual reduction to 15% over time. This is the latest in a slew of tariffs that have been imposed in an effort to level the domestic playing field against cheaper foreign products. It is also the latest attack on the renewables industry by this administration.

What now?

Earlier this week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) hosted a meeting to discuss the dispute between the US and China over these tariffs. The WTO’s appellate body confirmed its position that the US had not evidenced the need for these tariffs. Based on this decision, China is free to seek restitution for unfair trade practices.

2019 General Assembly Energy Recap

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As the 2019 session comes to a close, we’d like to give you a rundown of some of the emerging trends in Virginia’s energy policy. Approximately 60 different energy bills were filed this year, ranging from renewable energy policies and energy efficiency to utility regulation and climate change mitigation. Below are some of the most notable trends of this session.

RGGI

A bill was proposed in the House which prohibits Virginia from joining RGGI, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cooperative of states to cap carbon emissions, currently including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. HB2611 passed both the House and the Senate with ease by a party-line vote. While this bill is likely to be met with a veto, it shows the unfortunate unwillingness to invest in our energy future. This is why your vote matters this year! We need legislators who understand the importance of reducing our reliance on traditional energy sources!

Proposed Large-scale Changes

While many members of the legislature were not prepared to discuss drastic changes in Virginia’s energy mix, there were some noteworthy efforts this year. One was Delegate Rasoul’s “Off Act,” HB1635, which would have created a moratorium on approving any new fossil fuel facilities and other fossil fuel-related activities. It would have also required that retail energy producers sell 80% renewable energy by 2028 and 100% renewable energy by 2036. This bill remarkably made it out of the House Commerce and Labor Committee (which was likely a political move in itself), only to be rejected by the House along party lines.

Other notable efforts came in the form of “Solar Freedom” bills, HB2329 and SB1456. These comprehensive bills tackled issues like removing the cap on net-metering, legalizing power purchase agreements, and decreasing stand-by charges, among other changes. Both of these bills were met with animosity and killed in committee early on in the session.

Funding for Smart Energy Choices

This session saw a number of different bills whose aim was to provide funding for smart energy choices. Some of these solutions came in the form of funding explicitly for solar projects (HB1902) or to incentivize energy efficiency projects (HB2243 & HB2295). None, unfortunately, passed this year. A notable funding bill was HB2165, which would have created a grant program to offset some of the costs of building solar projects on contaminated lands. There are myriad benefits to projects such as these, and while this bill was removed from the docket this year, we will be working hard next session to get it passed.

Common-sense Solar Fixes

Despite some disappointment this session, it is important to highlight some common-sense bills aimed at fixing simple issues in Virginia that did succeed!

HB2293 & SB1605: Create a stakeholder process to provide important input on the development of utility energy efficiency programs.

HB2792 and SB1779 Create a 6-year pilot program for municipal net metering for localities that are customers of utilities.
HB2621 & SB1091: Allows localities to require a decommission plan as a condition for approving a solar site plan.

HB2547 & SB1769: Makes changes to the net-metering program for customers of electric cooperatives, including raising the net-metering cap to 7% of system peak and permitting customers to install enough renewable energy to meet up to 125% of previous year’s demand.

HB 2192 & SB 1331: Creates school modernization initiatives that encourage energy efficient building standards and net zero design.

News Roundup: New Technology Could Transform Solar Industry, Pipelines’ Permits Suspended, More Solar Projects Announced and Completed

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Inside the New Technology That Could Transform the Solar Power Industry
Perskovite crystal structureSolar generation will increase 16-fold between 2016 and 2040, according to data from the International Energy Agency, and new research into a class of materials known as perovskites underway in U.S. government labs and other facilities around the world promises to accelerate those projections. If they make it from the lab to commercial use, perovskites could dramatically change the market for the renewable energy source, offering potential for panels to capture energy from virtually any surface facing the sun. The primary reasons why perovskites potentially serve as a superior alternative to traditional solar cells include their flexibility and production ease: they can be painted or sprayed on a surface from an ink solution or churned out of a printer like a newspaper. That flexibility means they can be attached virtually anywhere. Read the story here.

Mountain Valley Pipeline Permit Suspended; Public Comment about Permit for it and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to be Extended after Website Failure
Mountain Valley Pipeline Proposed Route MapDue to a crash of the website for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), a national permit for a Virginia pipeline has been indefinitely suspended and the permit for it and a second pipeline will be extended. Virginia’s State Water Control Board was going to accept public comment until May 30 on the same permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Dominion Energy-led Atlantic Coast Pipeline after hearing arguments that the permit doesn’t adequately protect Virginia waterways. But, because of the Virginia DEQ website crash, the public comment deadline has been extended.  According to DEQ spokeswoman Ann Regn, no data was lost and the comment period will be extended by however many days the website is down. Comments can be made to: NWP12InfoOnMVP@deq.virginia.gov and
NWP12InfoOnACP@deq.virginia.gov.  Read the story here.

Solar Projects Commissioned in Virginia
palmer-martinTwo new solar centers – the Palmer and Martin Solar Centers – are set to open in central Virginia, along the I-64 corridor. They will total 10 MW AC and will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 1,200 homes annually. Together, the projects combine to make up the largest solar project in the state for an electric distribution cooperative and are being constructed by Coronal Energy, an independent power producer focused on utility-scale solar and storage projects, and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC), a member-owned electric distribution cooperative, celebrated the commissioning of the Palmer and Martin solar centers in central Virginia. CVEC will purchase the projects’ output under a 25-year power purchase agreement and plans to offer 4 MW of the 10 MW generated by the solar centers to its members as a part of Solar Share, its community solar program,  while Coronal Energy will own and operate the facilities. Read the story here.

Company LogosWGL Energy, Sol Systems complete 6-MW array in Virginia
Kentuck Solar Project stakeholders, working in conjunction with WGL Energy Systems and Sol Systems, announced the completion of a 6-MW alternating current system in Ringgold, Virginia. The $10-million project is located on 76 acres, created approximately 80 jobs during construction and boosted the local economy. The solar project will provide enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes annually and will cover 1.5% of the city of Danville’s power needs, thereby establishing long-term certainty for the utility in the city of Danville.  WGL Energy serves as owner and operator of the project and Sol Systems oversaw the design, construction and financing of the system. The City of Danville Department of Utilities is purchasing the energy from the fully installed photovoltaic (PV) solar facility for the next 25 years to diversify its energy and capacity portfolio. Read the story here.

News Roundup: Virginia’s Solar Capacity Could Triple, Virginia Medical Center Installs Nanogrid, Tech Companies Pushing Solar Adoption

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panelsVirginia’s Solar Power Capacity Could Triple in 5 Years
Virginia’s capacity to generate solar electricity is expected to triple over the next five years, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, meaning that enough solar energy may be generated in the near future to power upward of 200,000 homes in the state. The solar industry has been growing nationwide. But it still only accounts for about 2 percent of the nation’s capacity to generate electricity. In Virginia, that figure is half a percent. Several reasons account for the growth. The cost of installation has been falling, and the demand for green energy has been soaring. Owners of farmland are also finding that leasing their land for power generation is more profitable than growing traditional crops.
Read the story here.

carilion-clinic-logoCarilion New River Valley Medical Center Flips Switch on Solar Panels to Power Hospital
The Carilion New River Valley Medical Center is making healthcare more affordable with a solar energy. A nanogrid of nearly 4,000 solar panels now will generate nearly 20 percent of the hospital’s annual energy needs. That means they’re not only reducing their carbon footprint, but also saving money. “Over the course of 20 years, we are expecting to save about $1.5 million,” Scott Blankenship, Carilion director of facility operations, said. This will potentially save patients money down the line. “As expensive as health care is, anything that we can do to keep our costs down can be passed along to our patients ultimately,” Bill Flattery, CEO of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center and vice president of Carilion’s western region operations, said.
Read story here.

sunny-usaTech Companies Pushing for Solar Energy Across America
Since 2008, renewable energy has gone from 9% to 18% of the U.S. energy mix, according to the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. A big part of that shift stems from tech companies’ rapid buildout of cloud storage centers and a move to burnish their public image by vowing they’ll run these centers on sources like wind and solar. Last year, the top four corporate users of renewable energy in the world were Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Apple, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Google announced this month that as of 2017, all its facilities and data centers were running on 100% renewable electricity. Rather than lose these deep-pocketed customers, the nation’s power companies are changing policies and crafting deals that meet increased demands for renewable energy, in some cases shifting away from traditional electricity supplies like coal and natural gas.
Read the story here.

News Roundup: Microsoft Invests in Solar in Virginia, New Legislation Says Solar is in Public Interest, U.S. Mayors Call for Solar Investment

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Tech giant Microsoft announces massive purchase of solar power in Virginia.2000px-Microsoft_logo
Microsoft will purchase 315 megawatts (MW) of energy from two new solar facilities in Virginia, it said recently. The tech giant will buy energy from the Pleinmont I and II sites in what it described as “the single largest corporate purchase of solar energy ever in the United States.” The Pleinmont developments are part of a bigger 500 MW project owned and operated by sPower, an AES and AIMCo business. When operational, Pleinmont I and II will have over 750,000 solar panels covering more than 2,000 acres.  Read the full story here.

Virginia legislation opens door to over 5 GW of renewable energy.
GavelRecently passed legislation in Virginia shifts the renewable energy landscape by finding 5.5 GW of solar and wind energy are in the public interest and expediting the state’s renewable energy project regulatory approval process. Known as Senate Bill 966, the legislation includes provisions for energy efficiency and energy storage, in addition to wind and solar. The law also ends a utility rate freeze that has been in effect since 2015. The 5.5 GW of renewable energy in Virginia is not a mandatory target or procurement but serves as a regulatory greenlight for achieving that volume.  Read the full story here.

180 US mayors call for use of solar energy in updated letter.
mayor-pinA bipartisan group of 180 mayors from across the U.S. have called for increased solar energy usage in an updated letter released Tuesday by Environment America. The first version of the letter, signed by 70 mayors, was released in December. A focus on renewable energy has become top-priority across the U.S., as dozens of cities have committed to getting 100% of their power from renewables. And while committing to increased solar usage is a significant step forward for these 180 cities, tangible actions will need to be taken for such cities to reach their goals.  Read the full story here.

3 Things You [Probably] Didn’t Know About Solar Energy.
Panel-with-Question-Mark-300x225The solar industry has come a long way since it began in the 1970s. The way Americans are creating and harnessing solar energy is changing rapidly. In fact, the use of solar energy has grown nearly 20 percent per year over the past 15 years. Still, some preconceived notions about solar energy exist to this day. Here are four things you probably didn’t know about solar energy: 
1. It’s affordable
2. It’s accessible   
3. It benefits your community and environment, too  

Read the full story here.

News Roundup: Solar Tariff May Benefit Virginia Plant; Big Batteries Making Inroads in Power Market; Virginia Still Lukewarm Toward Solar

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In this monthly roundup, we learn how lithium-ion batteries are affecting the energy market, how the 30-percent tariff on imported solar panels may actually help a Virginia business and why the Commonwealth needs to change energy policy and modernize its energy grid.

Big batteries are taking a bite out of the power market
The Wall Street Journal looks at how giant batteries that are charged by renewable energy are starting to “nibble away” at the power plants that create energy during peak hours. These plants are called “peakers,” are fired by natural gas and expensive to run. They usually crank into service only when demand rises, and regular supplies are insufficient, which is making them vulnerable to the appetite for lithium-ion batteries. Read the full story here.

Tariff may help Richmond solar panel manufacturer
When President Donald Trump’s administration announced that it would slap a 30-percent tariff on imported solar panels and the cells inside them, many saw it as a reckless move that would needlessly damage a booming U.S. industry. But for Charles Bush, who has pumped $1.2 million into a former die plant off Midlothian Turnpike in South Richmond in the hopes it soon will become Virginia’s first solar panel manufacturing facility, there could be a silver lining. Read the full story here.

CBJ: Local renewable energy companies face a changing political climate
Despite the historically cool climate toward renewable energy in Virginia, there are now more than 900 renewable energy companies in the state. To navigate state and federal roadblocks, energy companies are adjusting internal business models and eyeing state legislation that could do more to encourage the development and proliferation of renewable energy. Because there is no federal backing, many states and localities are providing their own incentives and leadership to promote renewable energy. For the most part, Virginia isn’t there — yet. Read the full story here.

Column: To attract businesses, Virginia needs to modernize its electric grid
Former Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd P. Haymore shared his thoughts on the Commonwealth’s approach to the generation and distribution of electricity in a recent column. One way to help keep positive results going in terms of electricity, he said, is for state lawmakers to take the steps needed to invest in the infrastructure of tomorrow. The Grid Transformation & Security Act of 2018 is an opportunity to address one of the state’s key economic building blocks and ensure we are best positioned for future investment, job creation and prosperity. Read the full story here.

Crossover is Coming Up – Please Stay Engaged in Supporting Solar for Virginia

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On Tuesday, February 13, the Virginia General Assembly will reach Crossover, which is the session midpoint and means that each chamber must complete on its own bills and begin considering legislation passed by the other body. Crossover also means that bills must pass one house or the either. If the bills do not pass by February 13, then the bills will die for the session.

With less than a week to crossover, your voice is more important than ever! All bills being discussed during this general assembly must be voted on by at least one hour before next Tuesday. Be sure to reach out to your representatives to ensure that the bills you support do not die before crossover occurs.

Please take a moment to email or call your Delegate and Senator to thank him or her for supporting solar in Virginia! Search for your delegate and learn more about how a bill becomes a law in Virginia on our Take Action Page here.

Virginia General Assembly Begins Soon: Quick Links to Help Keep Solar Energy at the Forefront with Legislators

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The 2018 Virginia General Assembly will run for 60 days starting Wednesday, January 10. Powered by Facts hopes to see Virginia lawmakers pass solar and renewable energy legislation that will help the Commonwealth strengthen its energy grid, create more jobs and attract more businesses.

Last year, lawmakers passed several pieces of solar legislation that proved that the solar industry, electric utilities and others – Appalachian Power, Dominion Energy, MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industry Association, Powered By Facts, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Virginia’s Electric Cooperatives, among others – can work together to move Virginia forward.

From successful passage of AgGEN, which allows farmers to generate additional revenue from solar energy, to a bill that allowed for an increase in Virginia solar energy storage development, 2017 was a great start in the direction of building a more robust solar and renewable energy portfolio for the Commonwealth.

More needs to be done, and we need your continued involvement. Here are ways you can keep track of the bills that are up for consideration, status of bills and schedule of meetings, among other legislative activities:

  • Check back here to keep updated on solar and renewable energy bills and their status.
  • Find the schedule of meetings and status of discussion on bills here.
  • Click on the list of House of Delegates’ Members to find contact information here.
  • Access contact information for Senate Members here.
  • A full session calendar for the 2018 General Assembly can be found here.

Powered by Facts will keep you updated on proposed bills specific to solar and other renewable energy throughout the 2018 General Assembly on our News Page and here on our Myths vs. Facts page. We also have joined a coalition of organizations dedicated to keeping on top of proposed legislation and sharing that information with our communities. Called VA Our Way (VOW), we will work closely with each other to share information and to help our readers understand how we can continue to make change for the Commonwealth by making our voices heard on important issues. We will update you soon on VOW.

News Roundup: Solar Helping Schools Save Millions, Creating Water from Air, Tapping Windows for Energy & Creating Hydrogen Electricity

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In this monthly roundup, we share how solar helps thousands of K-12 schools across the United States save money and expand their curriculum. Solar also is in the spotlight as scientists continue to find creative ways to use it for energy and to create other types of electricity and even water!

Solar at Schools

Photo courtesy of the Solar Foundation.

5,500 U.S. Schools Use Solar Power – Number is Growing as Costs Fall
Public and private schools across the country are reducing their electricity bills with solar, leaving them more money to spend on educational programs, including clean energy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lessons. About 5 percent of all K-12 U.S. schools are now powered by the sun, and their solar capacity has almost doubled in the last three years, according to a new study by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), The Solar Foundation and Generation 180. The schools using solar power have a total of 910 megawatts of solar capacity, enough to power 190,000 homes, according to the study. Read more here.

 

color-changing-solarColor-changing Windows Tap into Solar to Create Energy
Considering how many square feet of windows there are — from people’s homes to massive office buildings and skyscrapers and vehicles — solar technology fused with windows could increase renewable energy use. Scientists have created a new type of window, dubbed “thermochromic” for their ability to change colors in response to heat, to convert sunlight into electricity using minerals called perovskites and single-walled carbon nanotubes. Eventually, these could help power your home, car, or entire office building one day. Read more here.

 

Solar Panels Pull Drinkable Water Directly from the Air
waterTechnology that harvests drinking water out of thin air, using a combination of materials science, solar power and predictive data, is now widely available in the United States. The technology is designed to help people go from a position of “water scarcity to water abundance,” regardless of whether they live in an area where access to clean water is a severe problem or live in a place where bottled water is often half-drunk and discarded. Marketed by Zero Mass and first developed at Arizona State University, the solar panels — called Source — cost $2,000 each and produce an average of two to five liters of water per day. Read more here.

 

ucla-hydrogen-1020x610Affordable Device Uses Solar Energy to Produce Hydrogen and Electricity
Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have created a hybrid device that uses solar energy to produce hydrogen and electricity in a cost-effective manner. The invention is a significant step forward in the quest to harness the power of hydrogen as a fuel source, particularly in transportation. Current commercial production of hydrogen is costly and carbon intensive, but using ever-cheaper and clean solar power could change the game. Read more here.

Countdown to Election Day: Which Virginia Legislators Support Solar Energy?

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Spotlight on Delegate Randy MinchewH0240

Over the coming weeks, Powered by Facts will be recognizing legislators who are leading the way on solar energy policy in Virginia.  A member of the House of Delegates since 2011, Del. Randy Minchew (R-10th District) is one such legislator.

We had the chance to interview Del. Minchew about renewable energy, conservation and solar power recently. He is an active member of the bipartisan Virginia Environment and Renewable Energy (VERE) Caucus, which as he notes, works together to promote renewable energy and energy independence – a common-ground issue for many Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and the Green party.

Del. Minchew has been very involved in promoting ag-net metering, which allows private residences and farms to connect their solar arrays to the existing power grid and decrease their utility bills, for the past two sessions of the Virginia General Assembly.

As he notes, he feels that turning to renewable energy is good for businesses and knows it can produce thousands of jobs in the state of Virginia. Del. Minchew describes his support for renewable energy as “energy liberty” that appeals to the American ethic of self-reliance.

Listen to our interview with Del. Minchew here.

Remember to vote for better energy policy for the Commonwealth on Tuesday, November 7.

Countdown to Election Day: Which Virginia Delegates Support Solar?

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Manoli LoupassiOver the coming week, Powered By Facts will be recognizing legislators who are leading the way on solar energy policy in Virginia.  A member of the House of Delegates since 2007, Del. Manoli Loupassi (R-Richmond) is one such legislator.

In 2016, Del. Loupassi sponsored House Bill 444 to better inform consumers of their renewable energy purchasing options.  He also has promoted and voted for every bill that came from the “Rubin Group” in 2017.  These bills, which include Agricultural Generation legislation and Community Solar legislation, will increase the use of solar generation in Virginia.

Although Republican legislators frequently are characterized as anti-solar, this has not been the experience of Powered By Facts. Del. Loupassi and many of his colleagues have been very helpful in finding both pro-consumer and pro-business ways to expand the use of solar generation in the Commonwealth.

We will dedicate a Spotlight to the Virginia gubernatorial candidates later this week.

News Roundup: From Hurricanes to Business Opportunities, Solar May Be the Answer, but is It the Only Solution?

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In this roundup, solar is in the spotlight as a potential way to update old energy systems that have been decimated by recent hurricanes. However, as pointed out in Science X, solar energy isn’t necessarily the “panacea” that many hope it will be. Those stories, along with why businesses reduce costs with solar and why Virginia leaders need to respond to climate change that is reshaping the coastline are in our monthly roundup.

Send Tesla AerialSevere power failures in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean spur new push for renewable energy
In the wake of a string of particularly harsh hurricanes, Caribbean islands are looking at ways to update their energy grids to be more sustainable and storm-resistant. The use of centralized grids and overhead cables on island nations leaves them vulnerable to massive power outages during storms. Furthermore, shipping fossil fuels to islands and isolated areas leads to high utility bills. CARICOM, an assembly of Caribbean nations, is already focused on decreasing dependence on imported fossil fuels, and the recent damages by hurricanes have only spurred island nations to rethink how they distribute their energy. Read more here.

alternativesSolar power alone won’t solve energy or climate needs
While solar energy is heralded as a natural and easy alternative to fossil fuels, it is important to understand terminology and conversion rates. Specifically, a kilowatt is not the same as a kilowatt hour — which is how we measure the actual usage we can get out of a certain amount of energy. This assessment is not meant to dismiss or abandon solar or renewable energy, but to better understand the limitations of technology paired with humanity’s current and expected needs. Read more here.

 

Seal_of_Virginia.svgVirginia’s leaders have a serious case of the slows on climate change
Virginia’s landscapes and temperatures are already being affected by climate change, but elected leaders have been slow to respond. The coastlines of Virginia are experiencing chronic flooding, which, if unchecked will result in the loss of billions of dollars of real estate and ecologically priceless wetlands. Virginia’s forests will be at increased risk of fire, and our yearly number of above-90-degree days will triple by 2065. Read more here.

 

business-powerHow businesses are reducing their energy costs and building resilience
Businesses are feeling pressure to improve their energy usage and distribution. Work interruptions from severe weather events, the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, and the vulnerability of large grids to cyberattacks have brought this issue to the forefront of executives’ minds. However, only a third of executives interviewed for this Harvard Business Review article have a long-term energy plan; the rest are still distributing energy on a short-term, reactionary basis. Cost efficiency and social awareness both play a part in this new trend. Read more here.

 

VA SUN and Others Set to Discuss Range of Solar Topics at Upcoming Solar Congress

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The 2nd annual VA SUN Solar Congress is set for Saturday, October 14, and will focus on solar in the Commonwealth.

solar congress photoThe free event, which is open to the public, offers a solar 101 information session, as well as sessions on growing solar in your community and electric vehicles and solar, solar jobs in Virginia, solar energy and storage and a solar case study.

The solar 101 information session will outline the basics of how solar works on a home or small business in Virginia and the incentives available. The “growing solar in your community” session will allow solar homeowners to share their experiences of spreading solar throughout their communities with one another. The electric vehicles and solar session will focus on the technology, costs and charging considerations of electric vehicles.

Other sessions include one on solar jobs in Virginia, designed to inform attendees about the variety of solar jobs currently available in the Commonwealth and why these jobs – and solar – are good for the economy here. Another will focus on a case study on local do-it-yourself solar and barn-raising initiatives, during which a group of community members will explain the process they went through to implement non-traditional models for solar. Lastly, for those who are interested in solar and energy storage, the afternoon will include a session the latest information for residential, commercial and multiple solar installations.

If you are interested in solar for your residence or business, sign up for the VA Sun Solar Congress in Harrisonburg here.

Building Consensus Prior to Assembly is Key to Changing Virginia’s Energy Mix

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Mark Rubin

Mark Rubin

In our first two podcasts with Mark Rubin, Director at the Virginia Center for Consensus Building, he explained how the “Rubin Group” came to be, how they worked together to get three bills passed in the 2017 General Assembly and how they created five working groups to address specific issues that may be impeding progress of renewable and solar energy in the Commonwealth.

In this podcast, he talks more specifically about why the Rubin Group is important to the Commonwealth and how groups like it can offer help to our legislators by creating consensus on issues before they make it to the General Assembly.

As he explains, Virginia’s legislators are part-time and have limited staff and resources, which is by design. However, it can create a situation in which Virginia legislators don’t have time needed to solve very complex policy issues, like the energy mix in the Commonwealth.

Through the Center for Consensus Building, stakeholders — many of whom are on opposite sides of a spectrum — have the time and space needed to tackle those complex issues. As Rubin points out, when a group of stakeholders develops a compromise solution, it will probably work.

Learn more about how the Rubin Group and others like it work with the Center for Consensus Building and why Rubin says this model works for Virginia in the last in our series of interviews with him.

Link to this podcast for download: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B51RhByqqW9LQ2xGT1VkS0pnX1k

 

Rubin Group Creates 5 Working Committees to Take Deep Dive into Energy for Virginia

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Mark Rubin

Mark Rubin

In the first in a series of interviews with Mark Rubin, Director at the Virginia Center for Consensus Building, he shared how Virginia’s “Rubin Group” members work together to create consensus on energy policies for the Commonwealth. In this interview, Rubin shares how the group’s recent public meeting helped them create working groups designed to create consensus and potential legislation for consideration during the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.

The Rubin Group, made up of representatives from companies, solar advocacy organizations, utility firms, energy education groups, the Virginia Manufacturers Association, the MD DC DE VA Solar Energy Industries Association, Powered by Facts and others, meet regularly to debate energy policies and work to advance Virginia legislation to include more renewable energy. At a recent public hearing, the group invited citizens, companies and community representatives to join five working groups to define what problems they want to tackle and then come up with solutions and come to consensus on ways they want to tackle those problems for the Commonwealth.

The groups will then create suggested legislation that Rubin Group would vet through members of Virginia legislation, the Attorney General’s office, the Governor’s office, the Renewable Caucus in the Virginia General Assembly and other stakeholders to determine if it is a viable offering.

Learn more about the working groups and what they are focusing on for the future of energy in Virginia in our interview with Mark Rubin here:

Energy Diversity is a Way to Boost Resiliency in Virginia

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By Sarah Lasky, Intern

The recent Resilient Virginia Conference, for which Powered by Facts participated on the Planning Committee, enjoyed attendance from a wide range of businesses of all sizes, industries, state and local government officials, utilities and communities. Hundreds gathered to learn more about energy and resiliency in all areas. The sessions Powered by Facts attended were focused on rural agricultural challenges and energy security. Here are some highlights from these sessions:

energy-typesThe rural and agricultural challenges sessions included a discussion between Evan Feinman, Executive Director for Tobacco Regional Revitalization Commission, Julie Shortridge, Assistant Professor for Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech, and Andy Sorrell, Coordinator for Farmland Preservation. Feinman discussed the challenge of economic resiliency for the agricultural sector and said it could be combated through distributed energy throughout Virginia. Shortridge focused on climate threats in Virginia, such as drastic temperature differences, floods, drought, storms and hurricanes, and discussed methods that are currently used to reduce sensitivity to climate threats. Sorrell revealed the necessity for farmland preservation, because of the local economic benefits. Overall, the panelists focused on economic resiliency and climate management.

The second rural break out session, which focused on moving towards energy security, featured Powered by Facts’ Founder Karen Schaufeld, who discussed the necessity to make Virginia a model for the rest of the country. She also mentioned how there are three other major concerns regarding safety and reliability of energy: cyber-attacks, physical attacks and weather events. Schaufeld also talked about the importance of protecting Virginia ratepayers by divesting energy sources and how the Rubin Group is working toward changing legislation to promote renewable and distributed energy systems.

During the session, Eduardo Alcorta, Senior Business Development Leader for GE Power, discussed the need for diverse energy sources to maintain reliable energy flow, which would create energy security. Aaron Sutch, Program Director for VA SUN, explained how solar co-ops help facilitate the purchasing of solar and the need for distributed generation of solar. Dianne Corsello, Director of Business Development for Dominion Energy, also discussed the importance of diversifying energy sources, which will allow for grid security.

Overall, the panelists all agreed that to secure Virginia’s energy, we need to rely on many different energy sources, and, as it was noted by an attendee of the second break out session, it was nice to see a diverse panel of constituencies working together for the future of Virginia.

 

 

Virginia’s ‘Rubin Group’ Helping to Build Consensus Around Solar Energy

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Mark Rubin

Mark Rubin

Recently, the “Rubin Group,” a consensus-building cohort working together on energy policies for the Commonwealth, held an open discussion with concerned citizens about solar energy in Virginia, today and in the future. Rubin Group participants include representatives from energy companies, solar advocacy organizations, utility firms, energy education groups and others who meet regularly to debate energy policies and work to advance Virginia legislation to include more renewable energy.

In this first of a three-part series we learn more about the Rubin Group, its efforts and the conversation with Virginians, from Mark E. Rubin, J.D., facilitator of the group and Director at the Virginia Center for Consensus Building.

Listen to the podcast and get an in-depth view of the Rubin Group and its work for the Commonwealth:

 

Is Renewable Energy Even a Contentious Issue Along Party Lines?

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By Adam Benalayat, Intern

bipartisan-wrecking-ball

The renewable energy resources industry, like many others today, has become the victim of over-politicization and antagonistic framing.  Regardless of what one might see on the nightly news, however, issues pertaining to sustainable energy are far less divisive between parties than other topics.  Whether Democrat or Republican, legislators across the country agree that it is wise to invest in America’s future and the industries that it will bring.

This is clear when you look at a recent Clean Edge report, which shows a healthy balance between blue states and red states when it comes to renewable energy, even though some politicians choose to present sustainable energy as a left-right schism. From that viewpoint, one would assume that the states that top the report would align blanketly with one political ideology or another, but the report shows the opposite. In fact, here are a few examples from the Clean Edge report:

  • Historically Republican Idaho is one of the top states in conserving carbon emissions per capita.
  • Iowa, which also leans red, leads the entire nation in percentage of electricity generated by utility-scale wind operations.
  • Traditionally Democrat states, such as New York and California, lead in total solar electricity generation.

The report shows that the effects of energy efficiency are apolitical, and states have the bipartisan support of lawmakers and voters to thank for the legislative unity in that field.

Another report that revealed similar findings is a 2016 the Pew Research Center survey on the influence of political affiliation on views towards energy policies. The study did find points of contention between the left and right on some issues, but it also showed that both sides agree on many issues. For example, expanding solar paneling programs had the strongest bipartisan support, with 89% of respondents saying they would support such growth.

Respondents from both sides of the aisle proved to be strongly in favor of expanding wind turbine farms. These unified positive perspectives on renewable energy sources are contributing to the industry’s rapid growth.

Here in Virginia, we have active support for solar and renewable energy from both Republican and Democrat Senators and Delegates. They work together for the good of the Commonwealth, because renewable energy means great jobs, a robust economy, an attractive business climate and better – and less expensive – choices for ratepayers.

News Roundup: Solar Jobs Outnumber Coal Jobs for 1st Time Ever, New Policy Paper Urges Move to Renewable Energy in Virginia & New Solar Installations to Bring Jobs

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In this roundup, we highlight stories about an energy trade association urging Virginia gubernatorial candidates to focus on sustainable energy; that solar jobs in the Commonwealth now outnumber coal industry jobs here; and that two new solar installations (one approved and one proposed) offer hundreds of new jobs along with renewable energy for the Commonwealth

Seal_of_Virginia.svgPro-Renewable Business Group Prods Gubernatorial Candidates on Virginia Energy

After the primaries ended, businesses from across the nation came together to urge Virginia gubernatorial candidates to focus on sustainable energy.  Advanced Energy Economy, a trade association of 1,000+ energy sector businesses, published a policy paper outlining the steps that the candidates would have to take as governor to bring economic growth and more affordable energy.  The paper details an extensive legislative plan set to create jobs in solar and wind generation, protect consumers in power purchase agreements, and introduce more competition in the utility resource industry.

Read more here.

helmet-on-solar-panelFor First Time in History, Solar Jobs Outnumber Coal Jobs in Virginia

Virginia has a rich history in the business of coal, but, for the first time, coal has been dethroned by the renewable energy sector.  According to a report by Virginia Public Radio, 2016 marked the first year in the Commonwealth’s history in which more Virginians are employed in the solar industry than the coal industry. This is a drastic change from the 5-to-1 ratio of coal to solar jobs just six years ago.  The dramatic shift can be mostly attributed to the emergence of solar jobs in manufacturing, installation and construction.

Read more here.

solsystemsVirginia’s Largest Solar Farm to Begin Construction in Danville Next Month

Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the construction of the Kentucky Solar project in Danville, VA.  The project is expected to power upwards of 900 homes in the region and is slated to be completed by the end of this year. The 6-megawatt farm will be the largest municipal utility solar farm in Virginia and bring hundreds of jobs with it.  The farm’s influence will reach far beyond just the city of Danville, as it will affect over 40,000 customers, from Henry County to Halifax.

Read more here.

hexagon-energyProposed Solar Facility in Gloucester could be largest in Virginia

Hexagon Energy, an independent energy development firm, recently announced its proposal to build a 900-acre solar facility in Gloucester County, Virginia.  The proposed facility would be equipped with nearly 400,000 panels and capable of producing 225 million kWh per year.  If approved, the project also would create from 250 to 300 jobs during the construction period alone, and the facility would continue to produce employment for more than 25 years.

Read more here.

 

The Candidates are Set — Will You Vote for Solar in November?

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The candidates for Virginia Governor and state delegates are now set. Thanks for exercising your right to vote in the primaries, which ended up being quite interesting.
Now is the time to start educating yourself about where they stand on the issues. Powered by Facts Founder Karen Schaufeld takes a detailed look at the nominees and where they stand on solar and renewable energy in our most recent podcast. She also shares why it is important for Virginia to become a “best practices” solar and renewable energy state and why that is so important for security, jobs and economic growth for the Commonwealth.
Listen to what Schaufeld has to say in her podcast about what is at stake for Virginia:

Exercise Your Right to Vote for the Future of Solar in Virginia!

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Across Virginia, there are many important legislative seats — from Governor to state delegates — for which several candidates are vying for the Democrat and Republican nominations. Regardless of which party you support, it is important to exercise your right to vote on June 13.

Listen to what Powered by Facts Founder Karen G. Schaufeld has to say about the primaries and why they are important to the future of solar and renewable energy in Virginia. In her podcast interview, she shares her thoughts about the gubernatorial race and where the candidates stand on renewable energy options for ratepayers, among other topics. Listen now.

 

Solar Jobs in Virginia: Well-Paying, Diverse and Growing Rapidly

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By Karen G. Schaufeld

Solar Panel InspectionVirginia is moving up in the charts in terms of solar job growth: according to The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2016, the Commonwealth was 9th in the United States (tied with Utah) for year-over-year solar job growth and 2nd in the Southeast.

In fact, according to Governor Terry McAuliffe, Virginia has one of the fastest growing solar job markets in the country. Here’s a snapshot:

  • Total number of solar jobs: 3,326, which is a 65% increase from 2015.
  • Jobs growth across the supply chain:
    • almost 1,750 installation jobs, representing a 46-percent increase over 2015;
    • more than 575 project development jobs, a 108-percent increase; and
    • more than 300 manufacturing jobs, an 88-percent increase.
  • Women represent almost 38 percent of our solar workforce, while Latino/Hispanic workers represent 22 percent.
  • More than 174 megawatts of solar have been installed in Virginia since 2014.
  • Revenue in the clean energy sector generally has grown four-fold – to $2 billion – in the last three years.

Governor McAuliffe said that solar growth helps Virginia become “… less reliant on federal spending and [more focused] on growth in innovative sectors… Virginia is moving in the right direction, but there is still work to do. I will continue to work with our public and private sector stakeholders to implement policies that will continue to bolster not only our solar industry, but the entire clean energy sector in the Commonwealth.”

Growth in solar jobs is not only great news for those who get them, but also great news for the Commonwealth. With more solar in our energy mix, we can lower rates for customers and create a more attractive business climate for the Commonwealth.

It’s a Wrap – HB 2303 and SB 1394 Signed by Governor McAuliffe!

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20160112_solarVirginia farmers have a new way to generate a reliable stream of income for up to 25 years with the signing of HB 2303 and SB 1394 by Governor McAuliffe. The identical bills create an additional renewable generation option for farmers known as AgGEN (small agricultural generation tariff) and has the potential to increase income for Virginia farmers while allowing the Commonwealth to reap the benefits of expanded uses of renewable energy.

Virginia House Delegate Randy Minchew (R-Leesburg) was the patron of HB 2303, along with co-patrons, Del. Steve Landes (R-Weyers Cave), and Del. Joe Lindsey (D-Norfolk). Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) introduced SB 1394 with support from co-patron Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-Dale City).

Traditionally, Virginia has lagged behind other states in solar energy, but this year’s General Assembly actions may have been a harbinger of change in the Commonwealth. AgGEN, as well as SB 1393  (Electric Utilities; community solar pilot programs), SB 1395 (Permit by Rule Modifications, PBR), passed this session and proved that the solar industry, electric utilities and others – Appalachian Power, Dominion Energy, MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industry Association, Powered By Facts, and Virginia’s Electric Cooperatives – can work together to move Virginia forward.

This is what AgGEN will do for Virginia, in a nutshell:

AgGEN has certain advantages over agricultural net metering (AgNEM).  Under AgGEN, farmers may:

  • Install larger facilities (up to 1.5 MW).
  • Receive payment for more generation (up to 150% of annual usage).
  • Receive payment for both the utility’s avoided cost of electricity plus the utility’s avoided cost of capacity.
  • In certain utility areas, earn higher rates for power produced during peak demand periods.

The legislation also:

  • Does not change AgNEM in Dominion and AEP territories.
  • Does not change residential and nonresidential net metering.
  • Sunsets AgNEM in Co-op territories on July 1, 2019, but grandfathers current Co-op AgNEM customers for 25 years.
  • Caps the amount of land that may be used for generation (25% of the farm).
  • Allows all types of renewable generation.

We encourage you to thank your legislators for showing how working across the aisle can create great new opportunities for Virginia residents and businesses. Specifically, Powered by Facts would like to thank Governor McAuliffe, Kathleen Murphy, and the members of the Senate and House committees who worked on AgGEN and SB 1393 & SB 1395.

A special thanks to Delegates Minchew, Landes and Lindsey, as well as Senators Wagner and Kilgore, for championing farmers and protecting our access to fresh, healthy, locally grown produce, meat and dairy products.

Here’s how you can reach the patrons of AgGEN, SB 1393 and SB 1395, with a call or a thank you note:

Del. Randy Minchew
District Office
P.O. Box 385
Leesburg, VA 20178
703-777-1570

Del. Steve Landes
District Office
P.O. Box 12
Verona, VA 24482
540-245-5540

Del. Joe Lindsey
District Office
505 East Plume Street Suite 105
Norfolk VA 23510
757-623-6522

Sen. Frank Wagner
District Office
P.O. Box 68008
Virginia Beach, VA 23471
757-671-2250

Sen. Jeremy McPike
District Office
P.O. Box 2819
Woodbridge, VA 22195
571-316-0581

Adam P. Ebbin
District Office
P.O. Box 26415
Alexandria, Virginia 22313
(571) 384-8957

Sen. Montgomery “Monty” Mason
District Office 120 Monticello Ave, Ste. 102,
Williamsburg VA 23185

Sen. Jennifer T. Wexton
District Office
20 W. Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
(703) 672-3696

Support Virginia Farmers by Advocating for SB 1394 & HB 2303

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solar-farmFarming can be a risky business. Everything from weather events – snow, flood, drought, ice, etc. – to pests and the vagaries of the market, Virginia farmers must fight on a lot of fronts to create a profitable living.

You can help Virginia farmers by supporting SB 1394 & HB 2303. These identical bills are currently in subcommittee and need your support. SB 1394 & HB 2303 both will allow farmers to harvest the sun and generate a reliable stream of income for up to 25 years. By helping the thousands of small and family-owned farmers in Virginia, you protect your access to fresh, healthy, locally grown produce, meat and dairy products.

Tell your Senator and Representative that you expect them to vote yes for SB 1394 & HB 2303, because it will allow farmers to:

  • Sell excess energy back from on-site renewable generation to utilities at a fair price – creating an additional, year-round source of revenue for farmers.
  • Triple the size of their solar capacity (from 500 KW to 1.5 MW), allowing them to create a new “crop” of guaranteed yearly & year-round harvest. This will go a long way toward helping lower their costs, which can be exorbitant for farmers.
  • Possibly earn higher rates from utilities during peak demand periods – a win for all Virginians, because it allows utilities to buy the additional energy needed at peak periods from local sources and gives farmers a chance to benefit – both agriculturally and fiscally – from the sunniest days.

Call and email Senate & House subcommittee members now and tell them you support SB 1394 & HB 2303:

Senate Commerce and Labor Subcommittee on Renewable Energy

Senator Ben Chafin
(804) 698-7538
email: district38@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Glen Sturtevant Jr.
(804) 698-7510
email: district10@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Rosalyn Dance
(804) 698-7516
email: district16@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Frank Wagner
(804) 698-7507
email: district07@senate.virginia.gov

House Commerce and Labor Special Subcommittee on Energy

Delegate Terry Kilgore (Chairman)
(804) 698-1001
email: DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Kathy J. Byron
(804) 698-1022
email: DelKByron@house.virginia.gov

Delegate R. Lee Ware
(804) 698-1065
email: DelLWare@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Timothy D. Hugo
(804) 698-1040
email: DelTHugo@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Daniel W. Marshall
(804) 698-1014
email: DelDMarshall@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Benjamin Cline
804) 698-1024
email: DelBCline@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Jackson H. Miller
(804) 698-1050
email: DelJMiller@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Manoli Loupassi
(804) 698-1068
email: DelMLoupassi@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Gregory Habeeb
(804) 698-1008
email: DelGHabeeb@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Ronald A. Villanueva
(804) 698-1021
email: DelRVillanueva@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Roslyn C. Tyler
(804) 698-1075
email: DelRTyler@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Mark L. KEam
(804) 698-1035
email: DelMKeam@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Joseph C. Lindsey
(804) 698-1090
email: DelJLindsey@house.virginia.gov

We need more solar power generated in Virginia. SB 1394 & HB 2303 are a great step in the right direction.

 

2017 Virginia General Assembly: What is Crossover and Why is it Important?

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General Assembly 2017The 2017 Virginia General Assembly convenes its short 45-day session today in Richmond. The session adjourns on Saturday, February 25, the 46th day.

But “crossover” means there actually is less time than that. Crossover occurs at the session midpoint and marks the day when bills must pass one house or the other or die for the session.

So, we have approximately 1 month to make sure our state legislators hear from us about what is important to us and to effect change in Virginia in 2017 and beyond. On our main page, we have added a Countdown to Crossover clock, which we hope will serve as a reminder of the urgency needed from all Virginians to reach out to their Delegates and Senators to communicate your priorities for the Commonwealth.

Here at Powered by Facts, we are focused on solar energy and expanding the energy mix in Virginia. More solar for the Commonwealth means:

• more opportunities for both businesses and individuals alike,
• more jobs,
• lower rates for customers, and a
• more attractive business climate.

In the coming weeks, we will highlight the solar legislation that is under consideration in the 2017 General Assembly and share our thoughts on them and why they are beneficial to Virginia businesses and individuals. We also will share letters that you can send to your Delegates and Senators to let them know that you support more solar in Virginia.

Virginia has Dropped Behind South Carolina in Solar – We Need to Change State Policy

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Solar Power Generation by StateBy Karen Schaufeld

Virginia has been leapfrogged yet again – this time by South Carolina. It went from 36th in annual solar photovoltaic installations in the United States in 2015 to 9th in the second quarter of 2016 alone. In the same Solar Energy Industries Association report, Virginia ranked 34th of the 40 states included, and actually dropped from 31st in 2015 to its present position. Virginia is now ahead of the District of Columbia, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, Montana and Arkansas.

When I see solar success stories about other states, the main themes I read about are cooperation among the stakeholders – state and local governments, public utilities and the solar industry – as well as highly engaged business sector. We need to catch up in Virginia.

Here are a few examples of how other states are getting ahead and expanding solar:

South Carolina – Clarendon County will be home to two separate solar farms, which promise new jobs, tax revenue and clean power for the local area. The first of the two 72 megawatt (MW) solar farms should be up and running by the end of 2018. According to an article in the Post and Courier, South Carolina’s rapid growth in solar “…has been attributed to the Distributed Energy Resource Program Act, which was passed unanimously by the Legislature in 2014. The act allows residential and commercial consumers to lease solar systems, electric utility companies to get power from independent renewable installations and net-metering rates to be updated.”

Illinois – The state recently set a legislative precedent in the Midwest by passing its Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB 2814), which sets the state on a path to 25 percent renewables by 2025, including potentially thousands of megawatts of new solar. This is a huge step given that Illinois currently has only 66 MW of installed solar and ranks 27th nationally for total capacity (still higher than Virginia). The RPS update not only establishes initiatives for new community solar and distributed generation, but it also includes low-income solar programs. Utility-scale projects will make up an additional 40 percent of the mandate, brownfield solar another 2 percent and other PV resources will make up the remaining 8 percent.

It’s time for Virginia legislators to make changes here in the Commonwealth. More solar in our energy mix means more opportunities for both business and individuals alike, as well as more jobs, lower rates for customers and a more attractive business climate for the Commonwealth.

Cyber Security Awareness Month – America’s Energy Grid is at Risk Too

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By Karen Schaufeld

National security – specifically, cyber security – is a major concern for all Americans. Federal agencies consider it a top priority because cybercriminals and other bad actors continue to change tactics and ramp up capabilities to disrupt companies and even our government. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is focusing on cyber security during its 13th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) this month, presented in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Alliance.

NCSAM LogoNCSAM puts the focus on educating the public and private sectors about threats to the connected world, as well as providing tools to help safeguard and respond to cyber incidents. When most Americans think about threats to our safety, they don’t first think of our energy grid. I think they should. In addition to the potential for natural disasters, including extreme weather events, the threat of targeted cyber attacks is real. In fact, from 2011 to 2014, there were 362 targeted cyber-attacks that caused outages or other power disruptions.

This statistic is even more alarming when you realize that disabling nine nodes of the 55,000 transmission substations of America’s energy infrastructure would cause a regional or nationwide electricity outage that could last for weeks or more, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

This is a major threat given that “reliable electricity underpins every facet of American lives. Without it, our homes, our businesses, and our national security engine would grind to a halt—especially when so much of this power is becoming ‘smart’ and integrated,” as the CAN Military Advisory Board (MAB) stated in its “National Security and Assured U.S. Electrical Power,” report.

Balancing 21st Century electrical needs on an aging and vulnerable grid has created a “need for secure, affordable, and resilient sources of power that can ensure mission accomplishment in the face of a determined adversary,” according to the MAB.

The Department of Energy (DoE), however, has been innovating for thinking and pushing investment to create that “resilient grid infrastructure that can survive a cyber incident while sustaining critical functions.” The DoE has created localized grids that are normally connected to our traditional grid, but can be disconnected to support reliability and resiliency. Microgrids use advanced smart grid technologies and integrate “distributed energy resources such as backup generators, solar panels and storage.” They can be used when there is a severe outage to offer local areas reliable power even when weather or a cyber event takes out the traditional grid.

Because we already have the technology to build a grid that is more resilient and less of a target for adversaries, all Americans need to push for this to remain a priority and find ways to support legislation that will allow for energy autonomy through energy sources such as solar. America’s adversaries are determined and the threats to our electrical grid and national security are real and substantial, according to the MAB. The time is now to fix the issues with our grid.

In Virginia, we can help do this by supporting solar legislation and urging our lawmakers and the State Corporation Commission to do more to diversify our options.

Want to Protect Yourself from Power Outages Resulting From Outdated Energy Sources? Solar Could be the Answer.

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By Karen Schaufeld

Last week was a tough week for anyone who relies on traditional electrical grids and natural gas – pretty much anyone who lives in the United States, for example. From New England to Puerto Rico, shortages and outages affected millions of United States’ citizens and residents.

In Puerto Rico, at least one person died and four police officers were injured during a power outage that started when a fire broke out at the substation of Aguirre power plant cutting off electricity to more than 3.5 million utility customers for more than four days. The outage prompted activation of the National Guard and a declaration of a state of emergency and resulted primarily from the fact that the island’s electrical infrastructure is “aging and debt ridden.” Puerto Rican Gov. Alejandro García Padilla said, “Given that the [Electric Power Authority] system is so old, numerous setbacks could occur,” at a news conference. “The system is not designed to withstand a failure of this magnitude.”

The power outage also cut off water to thousands whose supply relied on filtration plants and pumping stations that needed electricity, but did not have emergency generators. In fact, businesses and residents without generators either had to scramble to find ways to hydrate and stay cool while the entire island suffered from record high temperatures.

Mining retention ponds near the site of a leak in Colonial Pipeline's Line 1 ©2016 Alabama Media Group

Retention ponds near the site of the recent leak in Alabama. ©2016 Alabama Media Group

Meanwhile, on the U.S. mainland, a pipeline leak in Alabama disrupted gas distribution and caused panic and a sharp rise in gas prices, not to mention ecological damage that is still being evaluated. The leak was in a pipeline operated by Colonial Pipeline Co. Hundreds of thousands of gallons poured out of the broken line, according to Colonial, and panic resulted from the fact that the pipeline is a “key artery for transporting approximately 40% of the gasoline from the West Coast to the East Coast. According to an oil company that relied on gas from Colonial, “[We are] treating this situation with the same importance and urgency as a natural disaster.”

Frankly, if our energy supply was diversified, these types of interruptions would not escalate to national emergency-level status. As I described in my post “Just Nine Nodes,” America is balancing 21st Century electricity requirements on a 20th Century approach to energy production and distribution, according to a report by the CNA Military Advisory.

And, alarmingly, because our energy infrastructure is so outdated, the disruption of just nine of the nation’s 55,000 transmission stations could cause a serious and prolonged regional or nationwide electricity outage, according to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) study. Don’t believe it? Just look at what happened in Puerto Rico and from Alabama to the Eastern Seaboard for a quick snapshot of what can happen if your power sources are too heavily reliant on the traditional grid.

What can we do to mitigate some of the risk? Luckily, advancing technologies and lowered prices in solar, as an example, will allow us to produce electrical power closer to the consumer and reduce our reliance on the traditional grid quickly. An added bonus would be that on-site electrical generation from solar is impervious to fuel supply disruptions.

As I noted in Creating Distributed, Adaptable, Resilient & Reliable Sources of Energy Will Help Protect America, large-scale adoption of solar energy by both consumers and businesses would help break up the traditional grid and make it less vulnerable to natural or man-made disasters that could bring entire regions of our country down in a single, targeted disruption, fire, leak, attack, weather-related event or any other scenario that you can imagine.

Are you ready for a safer source of energy in the Commonwealth of Virginia? The time for solar is now.

Why Virginia’s Monopoly Utilities Are Trying to Stop Customer-Owned Solar

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Re-published with permission from Virginia Solar United Neighborhoods (VA SUN)

Money in SolarThe recent growth of solar electricity generation has been nothing short of spectacular. Nationally, solar photovoltaic (PV) installation costs have fallen by more than 70% in the past decade. The total capacity of installed solar has tripled since 2010. The solar industry now employs more people than the coal and gas extraction industries. Solar now accounts for the majority of new electricity generation capacity additions. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have propelled this solar momentum, installing solar arrays on their own homes and businesses.

Virginians are no different in seeing the value of producing local energy with solar. In the last three years alone, our small non-profit, VA SUN, has directly facilitated more than 400 installations. This has generated more than $8 million dollars in retail solar sales for local Virginia contractors.

This grassroots solar momentum combined with dramatic system cost declines has Virginia’s electric utilities worried.

Why is rooftop solar a threat to monopoly utilities?

Solar panels are a distributed power source. This means they create electricity at or near the source of use. This is counter to traditional electricity generation which occurs at large, centralized locations and is then transmitted long distances to the point of end use. The emergence of solar PV as a cost effective and easy to maintain ‘generator’ has enabled Virginians to become their own energy suppliers.

While solar means increased energy freedom, resilience and local job creation for Virginians, utilities see this only as lost revenue.

Electric utilities typically generate income two ways. They sell electricity to customers or they build electric grid infrastructure, such as power plants and transmission lines. As Virginians install more solar, they purchase less electricity from their utilities and reduce the need for costly investment in new power plants and transmission lines.
Increased solar adoption is good for all utility customers, as we are the ones who pay for rising energy costs and investments in new grid infrastructure. This introduces competition and cuts into utility profit margins. Virginia’s two largest utilities, Dominion and Appalachian Power are investor owned utilities, meaning they are managed as private, for profit entities. While they are governed as ‘regulated monopolies’ by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, their primary purpose is to generate revenue for shareholders.

Customer-owned, ‘rooftop’ solar reduces revenue to utility shareholders by reducing demand for their products (electricity and power infrastructure). This is particularly concerning to utilities since they have seen overall growth in electric demand remain flat and even decline since 2009. This flat demand is due to energy efficiency and decreased industrial activity. Solar is poised to lower electricity demand from utilities further. Utilities are trying to hold on to their profit margins by blocking solar’s growth.

VA SUN is a project of the Community Power Network (CPN).

“PACE”-ing Energy Consumption: Economic Alternatives Geared Toward the Promotion of Renewable and Energy Efficiency For Current and Future Homeowners

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By Nigam Trivedi, Lehigh University

Department of Energy SealIt is a straightforward idea to access local, state or federal funds to pay for a portion of energy improvement costs. In late 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) termed this financing technique Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE for short. More than half of the United States have enacted PACE-related legislation since 2010, and a recent update to PACE guidelines extends their applicability to energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

PACE guidelines include 10 broad categories that govern the establishment of programs for a building. Owners who enroll in PACE programs and make energy improvements agree to pay back the governing authority over a period of 10 to 20 years.

Additionally, the PACE contract is a “debt of property, meaning the debt is tied to the property as opposed to the property owner(s), so the repayment obligation may transfer with property ownership,” eliminating a major disincentive to investing in energy improvements. Many property owners hesitate to make property improvements if they think they may not stay in the property long enough for the resulting savings to cover the upfront costs.”

Loudoun County is one of the nearly 50 locations in the United States that is engaging with the PACE paradigm at some level, although Loudoun County has not begun a PACE program. Rather, the county lists its involvement with the program as “in development.”

PACE-based financing structures could serve the Loudoun County homeowners well. From 2010 to 2013, the county had a 145-percent increase in permits for new residential construction. A PACE program for these new homes would allow homeowners to invest in clean, renewable options like solar without worrying about shouldering the burden afterwards. In addition, an increase in the energy efficiency of homes could contribute to an increased value of real property per capita. While property values have been slowly increasing since 2012, widespread residential participation in the PACE financing structure could contribute a greater increase in per capita property values over the course of the next two decades.

The guidelines for a PACE program are highly detailed, but owners of residential and commercial buildings who participate in the program could both monitor the balance of their own energy resource portfolio and improve the efficiency of their buildings while simultaneously making a positive contribution to the economy of Loudoun County as a whole.

And imagine if through conservation, efficiency and individual generation, we collectively could forestall or eliminate the need for new power plants and new, unsightly transmission lines!

Dominion’s Push for North Anna 3 Too Costly & Possibly Unlawful

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Why – when there are cheaper and safer ways to create energy for Virginia in the near term – does Dominion Virginia Power continue to push for its North Anna 3 nuclear power plant? It’s all about the money, frankly, and I was pleased to learn that the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council (VCCC) has filed a petition for formal approval from the Virginia SCC before it can continue building the plant.
Cooling TowerThe VCCC petition states: “At an estimated total cost of at least $19.2 billion, North Anna 3 would be the most expensive power plant ever built in the United States and could raise customers’ rates by 26 percent or more according to the Virginia Attorney General.    While Dominion claims that North Anna 3 is needed for compliance with the federal Clean Power Plan, it would be far costlier than the low-carbon alternative of combined renewables, demand-side management, and efficiency … Dominion has not complied with Virginia law by failing to seek SCC approval before making expenditures on project development and beginning preliminary construction of North Anna 3.”

I agree with VCCC President Irene Leech’s assessment that the construction of North Anna 3 “is a huge raid on the pocketbooks of Virginia consumers and businesses.” In fact, I think the SCC should not allow Dominion any development costs at all for North Anna 3. There are cheaper, safer and more expedient alternatives available to our Commonwealth and ratepayers, including solar energy that Dominion should be focusing on to provide low-carbon electricity and lower rates much sooner than we will ever see from North Anna 3.

Dr. Mark Cooper, senior fellow for economic analysis for the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School, called North Anna 3 “abysmally wasteful and unnecessary,” in formal comments on behalf of the VCCC. He concluded that North Anna 3 “would cost twice as much as solar to generate the same amount of energy, fatten profits for shareholders by inflating Virginia ratepayer bills by up to 36 percent (reflecting $6-12 billion in unnecessary costs).”

Please support the VCCC’s effort to stop Dominion from proceeding with North Anna 3:

Contact Mark Herring, Office of the Attorney General: (804) 786-2071, or file a complaint  with the AoG’s Consumer Protection Office:  http://ag.virginia.gov/citizen-resources/consumer-protection

Contact the Virginia State Corporation Commission: Energy Regulation: Electric, Gas, Water & Sewer:  804-371-9611

Virginia Citizens Consumer Council:  https://www.facebook.com/Virginia-Citizens-Consumer-Council-236174056404968/?fref=ts

Second in a Series: What’s in it for them? Why Dominion is Committed to ‘Selling’ the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to Virginians

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By Nigam Trivedi, Lehigh University

Those who argue in favor of construction or expansion of non-renewable facilities say it will create jobs. In that vein, advocates for Dominion’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) point to the significant benefits it will have for Eastern North Carolina. To transport the fracked gas the 554 miles from West Virginia, however, the ACP will be routed through rural Virginia, which is not going to realize the same benefits from it.

In our last post, we shared an example of how the ACP poses risk to homeowners in and around its projected path. The issue, however, reaches deeper. The eminent domain granted to Dominion has already wreaked havoc on the lives of many Virginians, who have banded together to form “All Pain No Gain,” (APNG) to highlight the negative impacts the ACP will have on property owners, the environment, small businesses, public safety, local heritage and history.

Virginia Constitution Article I, Section 11 gives a utility, if granted the authority, the ability to use or cause ruin to any private property without the permission of the property owner as long as the effort is directed towards an effort of public service. Dominion has even asked the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to abdicate responsibility of 10 protected areas in favor of the ACP.

If the gas is going to North Carolina, is it truly a “public service” to Virginians? Since it won’t benefit Virginians, eminent domain shouldn’t be invoked for the ACP. This issue and others prompted Dominion to commission impact analyses from Chmura Analytics and ICF International, both of which they have used to substantiate the claim that the ACP will drive the creation of thousands of new jobs and create millions in economic benefits.

APNG disputes the studies, and says the ACP will spur a rise in energy prices for Virginians, while simultaneously creating less than 10 percent of the 9,000 jobs Dominion claims it will. In my opinion, it is always better to find a neutral source, such as the Synapse Energy Economics study commissioned by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC).

This study also counters the claims made in Dominion’s reports and noted that at least one of them has a noticeable lack of transparency and lacks clarity in the presentation of its data. SELC study leveled eight main criticisms against the ICF report, including the claim that the ACP will bolster reliability for regional consumers. To support the claim, the ICF used data from an electric utility based in Maryland and does not provide any data on reliability impacts that relate to the ACP in particular.

The SELC study also criticizes Dominion’s Chmura report for a shortage of data or assumptions relevant to its claims, specifically regarding whether ACP would provide tax revenue benefits for the states in which it will actually be located.

So why is Dominion working so hard to justify the construction of the ACP?

Pipeline surrounded by bundles of moneySimply put, it is profitable. In fact, current regulatory policy favors utilities that build pipelines for natural gas. Rates of return can be as high as 14% from a natural gas pipeline, compared to the average return of under 10%, despite the fact that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has done little to verify the necessity of such a large rate of return. While the FERC can challenge the rate that a utility requests, it generally does not do so until after a pipeline is in service.

The FERC process actually incentivizes utilities to overbuild, because it does not require that a utility take into account regional demand in the area that it proposes to build. Also, the FERC will declare a pipeline necessary, if the would-be-builder has convinced a certain number of companies to join in on capacity for the line. As long as the pipeline has enough partners signed up for participation, FERC will approve their request.

If Virginia residents wish to protect their property rights and values, look out for their own economic interests, and preserve their physical environment for their safety and health, they need to ask, “What’s in it for me?” Currently, it seems that the answer is financial, environmental and human health risks – all at no benefit to Virginians and with great benefit to Dominion.

This is just another reason that the task falls on Virginia energy consumers to gain energy independence as quickly and effectively as possible and to push for a better mix of energy options for the commonwealth.

In his next post in this series, Nigam will compare the cost of renewables to the cost of the pipeline, the output from both scenarios and how each will affect ratepayers in Virginia.

Headed to Hampton: Sen. Mark Warner to Host Virginia Energy Policy Forum

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VEPF LogoBy Karen Schaufeld

U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s 2016 Virginia Energy Policy Forum this Friday is designed to offer energy and climate stakeholders, such as Powered by Facts, the opportunity to learn more about major energy regulations that “will not only affect the Virginia economy but the way we diversify our energy moving forward.”

We are looking forward to presentations by private organizations, public utilities, environmental groups and lawmakers at the state and federal levels will range from energy policy for the Commonwealth and the nation; energy efficiency and storage; new developments in clean energy technology; and – importantly – “Cybersecurity for a 21st Century Energy Grid” and “Energy Security and Resiliency.”

In addition, we are looking forward to the keynote speech by Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, as well as representatives of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Navy, the City of Norfolk, the Alliance to Save Energy, Dominion Resources, Energy Storage Association, Environment Virginia, Apex Clean Energy, Johnson Controls and the Virginia State Corporation Commission, among others.

The VEPF is a non-partisan event hosted by Sen. Warner, who believes that the U.S. needs to reduce dependence on foreign oil while investing in new technologies that reduce harmful emissions and, according to his website, favors an “all of the above,” portfolio approach that employs solar, wind, bio-fuels, nuclear energy and next-generation battery technologies.

Virginia, as our readers know, lags behind other states in creating the “all of the above” approach to which Sen. Warner aspires. Thanks to Sen. Warner for hosting the VEPF. I am hoping it and similar events (the 2016 Energy, Sustainability & Resiliency Conference held in Richmond in May, for example) will foster greater dialogue about the energy mix – or lack thereof – in the Commonwealth.

 

The Pros of Cons of the Top Six Energy Sources in America

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By Karen Schaufeld

When I started Powered by Facts, my goal was to create a source for accurate, up-to-date information on energy production and the costs and benefits of a varied energy production mix in Virginia. Unfortunately, if you don’t understand the different types available to you, as well as their pros and cons, it is difficult to know the best course.

Pros and Cons ChecklistJoe Baker, Vice President of Editorial and Advocacy for Care2 and ThePetitionSite, recently shared a post with The Energy Collective that I found helpful. It outlines the pros and cons of some of today’s most popular energy sources, from solar to fossil fuels. Here are the top points Baker made for each in Demystifying the Energy Source: Is One Better Than Another?:

Solar

Strengths: Solar energy is clean, unlimited and inexpensive. According to Baker, “the cost of solar has dropped by 70 percent since 2009 and the price is only expected to drop further as technology advances.”

Weaknesses: Distribution of costs. “With your energy bills, you pay not only for the actual energy you use, but also for the system that gets it to your home,” and most people don’t have the money needed upfront to buy a system.

Wind

Strengths: Wind energy is clean and abundant and could provide needed jobs to rural communities, and supplement incomes on existing farms.

Weaknesses: Transmission across long distances is hard, there are storage problems, and wind strength and patterns are unpredictable and don’t always align with power demand. Baker states that wind turbines also pose a hazard to wildlife; however, this data can only be judged relative to other threats to wildlife such as pollution or outdoor cats (it’s true… look it up).

Hydro

Strengths: This is the most widely used renewable energy in the United States, according to Baker’s post. A big selling point for hydropower is that it’s local and … “creates local jobs both managing the dam and power generation … and can provide power on demand.”

Weaknesses: It’s two biggest drawbacks: location and environmental impacts. You need lots of water year-round to make it work, and dams severely disrupt natural habitats.

Geothermal

Strengths: Geothermal energy can be deployed at the utility scale or in a single building, using heat pumps and a network of pipes to regulate indoor temperatures. It’s also reliable and “ridiculously” efficient, according to Baker.

Weaknesses: Utility-scale geothermal sites are location specific and rarely close to where people live, so much of the energy is lost in transmission. It also requires a great deal of water, which is then polluted with toxic minerals, and it has been linked to earthquakes. Smaller scale, home-based geothermal does not pose these risks.

Nuclear

Strengths: Nuclear power production has a low carbon footprint, is a reliable energy source that can operate on demand and has unique economic benefits. Nuclear power plants can be built anywhere and offer job opportunities.

Weaknesses: Nuclear reactor meltdowns are uncommon, but the impact is devastating. Chernobyl and Fukushima. Enough said. (Author’s Note: Here at Powered by Facts, we value cheaper energy and nuclear power is now among the most expensive to be placed into the rate base borne by ratepayers. Estimates for new nuclear generation are pegged at double the cost of solar. In addition, environmental impacts related to production of nuclear fuel and safekeeping of spent nuclear fuel are concerning.)

Fossil Fuels

Strengths: Fossil fuels are cheap, historically abundant and meet on-demand needs, according to Baker. It also has the advantage that the US energy infrastructure is built for fossil fuel power plants.

Weaknesses: Fossil fuels are damaging the planet and changing the climate (and are more vulnerable to price fluctuations).

Regardless of which type of energy you decide to support, it’s important to understand the options and what they can do for you and for the Commonwealth.

I hope you will continue to educate yourself about energy options for our state and our nation and visit Powered by Facts often.

Share your comments and thoughts with me here.

 

 

 

Virginia Makes Top 10 ‘Worst List’ for Solar Development

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By Karen Schaufeld

Virginia is one of the 10 states included in the “Throwing Shade: 10 Sunny States Blocking Solar Development” report by The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), a group known to advocate for laws to protect the environment and ecological diversity that has recently begun focusing on solar and other renewable energy policy.

The report listed the 10 states with high solar potential that are blocking distributed solar development. These states, according to a story by Herman K. Trabish in Utility Dive, “hold 35% of total solar potential in the United States, but only account for 6% of the nation’s total installed capacity.” Trabish writes that while, “across most of the nation, it’s clear solar power is taking off . . . some states are lagging behind and are holding on to policies that cramp growth instead of nurturing it.”

Table of States Blocking Distributed Solar

CBD looked at specific metrics to create its report, so, for example, it doesn’t include Georgia’s strides in 2015 to make up for its deficits in the area of solar. Knowing that some lists will differ, here’s what it said about the Commonwealth (p.24):

Quick Facts

  • #11 in technical potential for rooftop solar
  • #29 in installed capacity (MW of distributed solar)
  • Overall policy grade: F
  • Renewable portfolio standard: Voluntary and weak
  • Net-metering policy: Weak
  • Third-party ownership: Unclear
  • Community solar laws: None

This should come as no big surprise to Powered by Facts readers, but it is still disappointing to be in this particular Top 10 list.

Here are some of the highlights about the Top 10 worst states from the Throwing Shade report:

  • Seven of the top 10 states blocking distributed solar lack mandatory renewable portfolio standards (RPS), policies that are key to creating a safe market for investing in rooftop solar.
  • Three lack mandatory statewide net-metering policies, possibly the most important policy model in place in the United States that allows solar customers to connect with the grid.
  • Only three allow for third-party ownership of solar panels — a financing model that has fostered a distributed solar boom across the United States by allowing for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford solar panels outright to be able to install them on their property.
  • None have community solar programs in place, which are a key policy to encourage access to distributed solar resources and ensure community resiliency.
  • Nine lack strong interconnection laws, making the process of installing solar panels harder for homeowners, business owners and third-party companies alike.
  • Five don’t have any solar-access laws that protect home and business owners from local restrictions on solar panel installations due to issues such as neighborhood aesthetics.

Finally, according to the report, “all 10 of these states are bad actors in the distributed solar policy game, but two in particular stand out as the worst: Florida and Texas.” So at least Virginia has that.

Creating Distributed, Adaptable, Resilient & Reliable Sources of Energy Will Help Protect America

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distributed-usaBy Karen Schaufeld

A gas well explosion in Pennsylvania continues to raise concern for the area, and it was a reminder that the way America produces and distributes energy is not only costly, but also exposes us to dangerous situations. In fact, relying on an electrical generation and distribution infrastructure that is more than 100 years old is so dangerous that a cohort of retired military leaders says it is a “national security imperative” to change the way America approaches the production and distribution of energy.

I recently read “National Security and Assured U.S. Electrical Power,” a report by the CNA Military Advisory Board, which outlines ways we can move away from the “vulnerabilities inherent in today’s grid” to a safer, more distributed infrastructure. The 36-page report calls for “a new approach to our nation’s power paradigm.”

Why? “Cities and regions get their power primarily from large clustered electric power producers,” and “electricity is typically transmitted over long distances, across vulnerable, high-voltage infrastructure.” That puts every step of the process at risk from attack, weather or other threats that could create sustained power outages and, frankly, cripple parts of our nation.

While we don’t know what caused the explosion in Salem Township, PA, we do know that it is a great example of how our traditional energy system works. The well and gas line involved are owned and operated by Texas Eastern Transmission and are connected to the grid of natural gas pipelines that crisscross the nation.

In addition to the potential for natural disasters, such as tornado or other extreme weather, the threat of targeted attacks is real and growing. From 2011 to 2014, according to the report, there were 362 targeted attacks that caused outages or other power disruptions. The Board calls this a distressing trend, which “requires us to consider the potential for even more serious assaults, with strategic consequences.”

Luckily, we are at a “unique point in history,” because advancing technologies and proven, innovative sources will allow us to produce electrical power closer to the consumer thereby reducing our reliance on the traditional grid.

One way we can do that is through distributed renewable energy sources, such as solar. By producing energy closer to consumers and breaking up the traditional grid, it will be much harder for adversaries and natural disasters to bring entire regions of our country down with a single, targeted attack.

“The new production paradigm will be driven by technological advances, demand for increased flexibility, more secure and lower-cost power, and a growing public demand for cleaner energy sources,” according to the report.

Assuring that we have reliable, accessible, sustainable, and affordable electric power is a national security imperative.

Rainy Days and Solar

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water on solar cellsBy Karen Schaufeld

It is rainy here in Northern Virginia, and the forecast calls for rain for at least another five days. Kind of gloomy, to be sure, but it reminds me of the oft-misunderstood “rain with solar panels” situation.

Many people think that when it rains, solar panels don’t work, but – while that seems logical – it just isn’t true. In a short post by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), they explain that (while obviously more effective in direct sunlight), solar panels still work even when light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds. According to the SEIA, “Rain actually helps to keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt.”

What becomes more important in this situation is net metering. According the group, net metering comes into play for solar users during rainy days because, “If the home is net-metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods where the home’s electricity use exceeds the system’s output.”

As of 2013, 43 states, including Virginia had net metering policies in place. In the Commonwealth, according to the Department of Mines Minerals and Energy (DMME), net metering is offered for solar and wind up to 20 Kilowatts for residential customers and 500 Kilowatts for non-residential customers. A big impediment to homeowners is the upfront capital cost of purchasing solar panels. A typical home installation my cost $20,000 upfront. A solar array reduces or eliminates electricity bills for the next 25 years and pays the homeowner back many times over.

In other states, homeowners can contract with solar companies to “lease” their roof. In this scenario, the solar company owns the solar panels and reduces the electric bill to the homeowner, often by 20 percent or more. Unfortunately, Virginia law currently prohibits homeowners from taking advantage of these arrangements. We continue to lag behind because of the way state policy is enforced and the way utilities in the Commonwealth are regulated.

This is even more unfortunate for us given that Virginia is a rural state with millions of acres of farmland. We need a stronger net metering policy that would allow residents with land and farmers to “harvest” the sun by installing solar arrays that exceed the 20 kw limit and then use or sell the excess to neighbors or back to utility companies at the retail rate. We tried to make that happen with SB 779, and we plan to continue to push for this in the coming months.

Do you agree? Should you be able to lease your roof and participate in net metering? Should a farm be entitled to make the sun a crop? 

Share your thoughts for how Virginia can improve its renewable energy policies with us!

Related information:

Unintended Crusader

Virginia Requires Imported Energy

Imagine What Virginia Could do…

 

 

 

Tell Virginia Governor McAuliffe you Support HB 444 and SB 745

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Viginia Renewable Energy Legislation

It’s Not Too Late to Support Virginia Renewable Energy

There is still time to support renewable energy legislation for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The end of the 2016 General Assembly is approaching fast, so make time now to contact Governor Terry McAuliffe to let him know that you support Senate Bill 745 and House Bill 444.

These identical bills have passed in the House and the Senate and now are with the Governor, who has until midnight on March 8 to sign, amend or veto them. These bills would require the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to post on its website the names and telephone numbers of electric energy suppliers licensed to sell renewable electric energy in Virginia, as well as to provide links to the companies’ websites. The measures also require each Virginia investor-owned electric utility to include a notice in bills about this information on the SCC website at least once each calendar quarter.

Please encourage Governor McAuliffe to sign SB 745 and HB 444 by sending a note from his Contact page or by calling his office at 804-786-2211.

While these may not seem groundbreaking, they are a step in the right direction. After all, the Commonwealth continues to lag behind many other states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and many others, in terms of renewable energy production, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Maybe providing easier access to information on the SCC website and requiring our electric utilities to remind ratepayers where to find options for renewable power will help Virginia start to improve its renewable energy mix.

If you believe, as I do, that Virginia can do better, then make sure to thank Delegate Manoli Loupassi and Senator Frank Wagner for their efforts with these bills on behalf of renewable energy this session.

Delegate G. Manoli Loupassi   (R) – District 68

DelMLoupassi@house.virginia.gov

(804) 440-6223

Senator Frank W. Wagner (R) – District 7

District07@senate.virginia.gov

(804) 698-7507

There is much to do over the next 10 months to ensure that all Virginia Senators and Delegates understand how important changing the renewable energy mix in our state is to business, agriculture and economic growth potential.

Senator Wagner: Reduce VA’s Reliance on Imported Electricity and Expand Renewable Energy Options

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Renewable Energy Future VA | VA Renewable Energy Future

Senate Bill 779 and Virginia’s Renewable Energy Mix

We recently sat down with Senator Frank Wagner in his office at the Virginia General Assembly to find out more about why Senate Bill 779 was pushed to 2017. Wagner explained that SB 779 will now go to a study group that will include all of the stakeholders involved – renewable energy companies, electric utilities, etc. – to create a bill that is acceptable to everyone before it is re-introduced next year.

Wagner also shared that Virginia imports more energy than any state other than California and calls the amount of energy the Commonwealth imports “untenable.” We greatly appreciate Senator Wagner’s time and commitment to renewable energy in the Commonwealth. Thank him for being an advocate for Virginia ratepayers. Call him at (804) 698-7507, or email him at district07@senate.virginia.gov.

Watch the interview by Powered by Facts Intern Gardner Nash of The University of Richmond, here:

The Commonwealth of Virginia is Woefully Behind in Renewable Energy

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Renewable Energy States & VA

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), within the Department of Energy (DoE) projects in its Short-Term Energy Outlook that electricity generated from utility-scale renewable plants will grow by 9 percent in 2016. That should be an exciting prospect for people who live in states other than the Commonwealth of Virginia, where we continue to lag woefully behind others in renewable energy.

How far behind?  We fall behind North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi (yes, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi are ahead of Virginia), Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and a host of other states lead Virginia in terms of renewable energy production, according to the DoE.

As the DoE pointed out, “increases in renewable capacity and generation are influenced by federal, state, and local policies.”

Our state policies keep Virginia stumbling on this front. For example, nearly 20 bills that would have had a positive impact on renewable energy generation were introduced this session in Richmond, but only 2 made it past Crossover, the Assembly’s halfway mark and the date that symbolizes whether a bill will continue or die. Further, one of these two bills was altered so much that it has been left ineffective in promoting renewable energy growth.

Virginia Continues to Push for a Renewable Energy Future

As we have said many times, Virginia can no longer afford to sit on the sideline as opportunities to create cheaper and more secure energy pass us by. Unfortunately, that is happening in 2016 as bills – including SB 779 and HB 1285 and HB 1286, have been shelved and sent to working groups out of session.

This means that our work will not end in mid-March, but, rather, will continue throughout the year. We all need to continue to push for a better energy mix in Virginia and show our support of renewable energy to spur the state economy, create jobs and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

 

Farming the Sun – Farmers Need Your Help w/SB 779, VA Renewable Energy

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Help Virginia Farmers: Tell Richmond you Support SB 779

If you support your local farmers – and Virginia has many of them – then you must contact Senators Richard Stuart and Frank Wagner today to lend your support Senate Bill 779 (click here). The bill is being discussed Monday and will rise or fall on whether these senators know that you support it.

Virginia’s rich history of agriculture has many manifestations, from grape growing and wine making to dairy, the equine industry and grain and vegetable growing. Living here, you know how all of these enhance our quality of life.

vasolarfarmerHere are some other things you should know about Virginia farmers and agriculture:

  • Virginia’s agriculture pumps $55 billion dollars into the economy annually and employs more than 350,000 people in the Commonwealth.
  • The average size of a Virginia farm is only about 171 acres.
  • Farming is risky: everything from weather, pests and market fluctuations can affect crops and profits.

There is a way for all of us to help our local farmers by enabling them to create an additional long-term predictable source of revenue from solar farming – Virginia renewable energy in action.

Senate Bill 779, sponsored by Senator Stuart (District 28), does just that and represents a boon for farmers. The bill, introduced this week, encourages farmers to farm the sun alongside their crops. It will allow them to produce power for their own needs and sell power, either to other customers or back to their utility.

Farmers now can turn land that is unsuitable for traditional crops into a new type of revenue.  Moreover, because the life span of a solar array is about 25 years, it could lower their risk and create a predictable income stream. This would protect their financial future, safeguard the agriculture industry and – ultimately – ensure that all Virginians have the opportunity to continue to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Support SB 779 and Virginia farmers today.

Email or call:

Senator Richard Stuart: District28@senate.virginia.gov or 804-698-7528

Senator Frank Wagner: District07@senate.virginia.gov or 804-698-7507

Visit the Senate Bill 779 Page of Sen. Stuart – for more contact options, take a poll, post your public comments!

Countdown to Crossover: Support 2016 VA Renewable Energy Initiatives Now, or Lose Your Chance

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By Karen Schaufeld

The Virginia General Assembly has been in session for only three weeks, but the halfway mark – “Crossover” – is only two weeks away.  This year, it falls on February 16, 2016, and at that time, according to Delegate J. Randall Minchew’s most recent Minchew Memo, “more than 1,300 bills will have traveled through the committee process, and if passed out of committee, head to the floor . . . for passage or defeat.”

Why should you care? If a bill has not passed out of committee at that time, then it is dead. In fact, two bills that dealt with renewable energy have already died. HB 480, which would have established a renewable energy property tax credit on the cost of the renewable energy property, was killed last week. HB 638, which would have permitted higher education institutions to enter into a public-private partnership to generate wind or solar power died in committee.

VA 2016 General Assembly - by the DailyPress.com

Renewable Energy Legislation for Virginia

If you want more renewable energy options for Virginia, it is time for you to reach out to your VA Delegate or Senator and, if you are enjoying this, the members of the Labor and Commerce Committee of the House and make sure they know how important it is to you.

As we mentioned in a previous post about energy initiatives in the 2016 VA General Assembly, Powered by Facts supports HB 444, sponsored by Delegate G. Manoli Loupassi, who represents House District 68.  We also supported HB 480, sponsored by Delegate Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan, Jr., before it was killed.

There are a number of other renewable energy bills currently being considered by Virginia lawmakers, and the Powered by Facts team has reviewed them.  Along with HB 444, we support the following proposed House Bills and encourage you to learn more about them and offer your support as well.

HB 1285: VA community renewable energy programs – Introduced by Del. Minchew, who represents House District 10, would help to provide access to renewable energy by allowing multiple customers to join together to own a renewable energy generating source.

HB 1286: Distributed and renewable generation of electric energy; net energy metering and third party purchase agreements in VA — Also introduced by Del. Minchew – exempts non-utility sellers of renewable energy from having to register as a public utility, removes the 1% Commonwealth-wide cap on net metering eligible energy, loosens capacity limitations on individual net energy metering systems, and adds the goal of promoting and encouraging private sector distributed generation.

Powered by Facts also supports a number of Senate bills that address renewable energy and will share those with you in our next post.

Keep track of renewable energy bills that your Delegates and Senators are debating, discussing and voting on right now. You can track them here or here.

 

 

Virginia General Assembly Set to Consider Renewable Energy in 2016

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Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation

The 2016 Virginia legislative session begins tomorrow, and, as you know from visiting us here at Powered by Facts, I have been urging Virginia lawmakers and their constituents to consider much-needed changes to the way the Commonwealth of Virginia approaches renewable energy, along with their other priorities, this session. The time is now to change the perspective on Virginia renewable energy.

I am excited to say that things are heading in the right direction, as two bills have already been introduced for consideration this session.

VA Delegate LoupassiThe first is HB 444 and is sponsored by Delegate G. Manoli Loupassi, who represents House District 68. The bill is designed to amend Virginia Code §56-245.1:2 and will require investor-owned electric utilities in the Commonwealth to notify customers every quarter about how they can purchase renewable energy from the utility or any supplier of electric energy licensed to sell electric energy within the applicable service territory.

A second bill, HB 480, is sponsored by Delegate Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan, Jr., who represents House District 48. This bill establishes a renewable energy property tax credit thatVA Delegate Sullivan would equal 35 percent of the installed cost of the renewable energy property and establishes the aggregate amount of credit allowed to each person for placing into service renewable energy property during the taxable year.

 

Show your support of Delegates Loupassi and Sullivan by reaching out to them and encouraging them to take even more steps toward incentivizing power generation that is cheaper, safer and more reliable for Virginia rate payers. And, tell your Delegate and Senator that you will be following their support of these bills.

Find out who your legislators are here.

Please also take a moment to contact the Commerce and Labor Committee of the Virginia Senate to let them know you support clean, renewable energy for the Commonwealth.

Find the committee members here.

There is much more that can and should happen, including allowing individuals and companies in Virginia to produce their own power and sell it back to utilities within our state for use in our state. If this were the case, then:

  • Ratepayers will not bear the cost of the equipment needed to generate power, and the long-term cost to the rate payer is cheaper than if the utility built and maintained conventional fossil fuel generation. Frankly, it also is cheaper than if the utility built its own solar or wind facilities in many cases because, yet again, the ratepayer is not forced to pay the cost of the equipment;
  • Virginia farmers could create an additional reliable income stream for 25 years from land that may not be well-suited to growing crops; and
  • Ratepayers will not have to bear the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels and the increasing maintenance and operational costs for aging fossil fuel plants.

Virginia General AssemblyRemember, one person can make a difference. Please take the time to contact your State of Virginia Senator or Delegate to let him or her know that you want access to more options for energy in our state.

 

Find your representatives here.

Contact the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee here.

In the coming weeks, I will share updates on any other new proposed legislation being considered this session, sample letters you can use to send to your representatives and more about the energy mix in Virginia.

Thanks for your interest in renewable energy in Virginia and your support of Powered by Facts!

-Karen Schaufeld

The Time is Now for Virginia to Change Its Views On Renewable Energy

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Renewable Energy Initiative in VA – Legislative Tax Credit Extensions

Future Clean Energy | Renewable Solar EnergyWe were pleased to see the recent passage of two renewable energy bills that included an extension of the 30-percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar through 2018, when it will begin ramping down to a permanent 10-percent level. In addition, the new law extended the 2.3-cent Production Tax Credit (PTC) through next year. This means that those building sustainable solar and wind projects in Virginia and across the country will continue to receive credits.

As noted in Green Tech Media, many national groups may now set their sights on local battles around the United States. It is time for that battle for renewable energy legislative change in Virginia. There are myriad reasons that Virginia must start including renewable energy in the mix of options available to ratepayers.

As we’ve noted here on Powered by Facts, these are just a few of the reasons:

  • Historically a leader in energy production, policies and pricing, the Commonwealth of Virginia is lagging behind. At the end of 2014, Virginia had only 14 MW of solar energy installed across the Commonwealth; while Maryland had 242 MW and Pennsylvania had 247 MW.
  • During peak energy demand, utilities in the Commonwealth actually purchase electricity from out-of-state sources.
  • Renewable energy is poised to overtake the increase in need in Virginia more rapidly than conventional power sources.
  • In Virginia, the renewable energy industry already directly employs more workers than the coal industry.

Read more about Virginia renewable energy facts and myths.

 

 

Virginia Renewable Energy Can Keep up With Power Demand

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Non-sustainable energy sources have proven to be inadequate for Virginia’s growing energy needs. Not only that, but the prevention of the growth of Renewable Energy is largely based on competing energy businesses and factual inaccuracies. Here’s our newest entrant in our Virginia renewable energy myths and facts series (#VAenergyfacts):

Myth: Growth in renewable energy can’t possibly keep up with the growing energy demand.
Fact: Renewable energy is poised to overtake the increase in need in Virginia more rapidly than conventional power sources. It’s time to change the laws that have prevented growth in solar and renewables.

Contact us for more information about Virginia renewable energy here at PoweredByFacts.com.

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