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

February 27, 2018 By Editor

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.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact, Slider Tagged With: energy in Virginia, renewable energy, Solar Energy VA, solar power, State of Virginia, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News

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

February 8, 2018 By Editor

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.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact, Slider Tagged With: 2018 Virginia General Assembly, energy in Virginia, renewable energy, solar, solar energy, State of Virginia, virginia energy bills, virginia energy legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News

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

November 2, 2017 By Editor

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.

http://poweredbyfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/RandyMinchewPt1FINAL.wav

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

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: 2017 Virginia General Assembly, Del. Minchew, Delegate Randy Minchew, energy in Virginia, HB 444, Randy Minchew, renewable energy, Renewable Energy Laws, Rubin Group, Solar Energy VA, solar power, State of Virginia, VERE, VERE Caucus, virginia energy, virginia energy legislation

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

August 1, 2017 By Editor

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:

http://poweredbyfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Mark-Rubin-Podcast-1.mp3

 

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: 2017 Virginia General Assembly, Department of Energy, Dominion Power, energy in Virginia, renewable energy, Rubin Group, solar energy, VCU, Virginia Center for Consensus Building, virginia energy legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News

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

July 11, 2017 By Editor

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.

 

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: Coal jobs, elections, energy storage, gubernatorial, Hexagon Energy, policy paper, Primaries, renewable energy, renewable energy industry, residential solar energy, solar energy, solar jobs, solar paneling, Terry McAuliffe, virginia energy, virginia energy legislation, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation

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

June 12, 2017 By Editor

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.

http://poweredbyfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/PxF-Podcast-1-Final_01.mp3

 

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: Atlantic Coast Pipeline, coal, coal industry, coal mining, Dominion Power, energy in Virginia, renewable energy, Renewable Energy Laws, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation

New Solar Legislation Could Help Virginia Create More Jobs, Stimulate Economy

March 13, 2017 By Editor

By Karen Schaufeld

Solar InstallersSolar energy is a job creator. In 2016, the number of solar power workers in the USA in 2016 was 373, 807, vs. 187,117 in the fossil fuels sector, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Solar power jobs also are higher paying jobs – $26 per hour is the median wage for solar installers.

During the 2017 General Assembly, Virginia legislators took steps toward expanding solar in the Commonwealth by passing several bills that will allow for farmers to harvest the sun and will support community solar. Most of our legislators understand that solar energy offers more jobs for Virginians, as well as a safer and more resilient source of energy for the Commonwealth.

In its National Solar Jobs Census 2016, the Solar Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing solar energy use worldwide, found:

  • Solar jobs in the United States have increased at least 20 percent per year for the past four years, and jobs have nearly tripled since the first Solar Jobs Census was released in 2010.
  • One in 50 new U.S. jobs were in the solar industry.
  • Nine percent of solar workers are veterans, compared to 7 percent of the total U.S. workforce.
  • Employers surveyed expect to see total solar industry employment increase by at least 10 percent in 2017.
  • Solar offers wide-ranging career opportunities and is a highly diverse field, offering great jobs for women and minorities.

The recent passage of SB 1393 (Electric Utilities; community solar pilot programs), SB 1394 (Small agricultural generators), SB 1395 (Permit by Rule Modifications, PBR) will help our state and move toward increasing the amount of solar jobs for Virginians. The Commonwealth still ranks very low in comparison to other states, coming in at 33rd for solar jobs per capita and a ratio of solar worker to overall workforce mix of just 1 in 2,600.

While waiting for Governor McAuliffe to sign the new legislation, SolUnesco posted: “We are filled with optimism when we think about the future of energy in Virginia. The following conditions will continue to propel an open and dynamic market for solar – strong and growing demand, political awareness of the job growth and investment potential, and a sufficient local industry base. We need to enable entrepreneurs to build innovative businesses that can develop a skilled Virginia-based workforce. Through a locally grown workforce, local innovation and entrepreneurial hunger, we will capture the economic benefits and job growth here in Virginia.”

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: 2017 Virginia General Assembly, Department of Energy, National Solar Jobs Census, SB 1393, SB 1394, SB 1395, Solar Foundation, solar jobs, SolUnesco, State of Virginia, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News

Support Virginia Farmers by Advocating for SB 1394 & HB 2303

January 25, 2017 By Editor

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.

 

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: 2017 Virginia General Assembly, HB 2303, House Bill 2303, renewable energy, Renewable Energy Laws, SB 1394, Senate Bill 1394, State of Virginia, virginia energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation

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

September 28, 2016 By Editor

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.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: Alabama pipeline leak, Colonial Pipeline, energy infrastructure, gas leak, gas pipeline, natural gas, Puerto Rico power outage, renewable energy, solar, Virginia Energy Crisis, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation

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

September 12, 2016 By Editor

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!

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: 2016 Virginia Energy Policy Forum, Department of Energy, DoE, Loudoun, Loudoun County, PACE, Property Assessed Clean Energy, renewable energy, solar energy, Solar Energy VA, solar power, State of Virginia, tax credits, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News

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

September 1, 2016 By Editor

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

Filed Under: Myth & Fact, Virginia Energy & Power Tagged With: energy in Virginia, renewable energy, Renewable Energy Laws, solar, solar energy, Solar Energy VA, State of Virginia, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News, Virginia State Corporation Commission

California Sets Daily Solar Record; Powers 6M homes

August 10, 2016 By Editor

California SolarBy Karen Schaufeld

Congratulations to California for setting a record for powering 6 million homes with solar in just one day! Their previous record was set in May of this year, but thanks to this summer’s coast-to-coast high temperatures, their new record is 8,030 megawatts. According to San Francisco Gate, California only included large solar plants in this tally.  An additional 537,637 smaller solar panel arrays installed on private homes and business’ rooftops across the state were not counted in this tally.

Meanwhile, Virginia is ranked 39th in solar capacity in the United States. Even with Dominion’s recent pledge of 400mw of solar capacity by 2020, we won’t be anywhere near the production that California is realizing.

And even though California’s climate is often used to discredit solar capacity on the East Coast, our neighbor to the south, North Carolina, shares a similar climate and is ranked 3rd in the United States in terms of solar energy production. In fact, North Carolina already has 100 times more the solar capacity than Virginia does.

Our hope is that legislators this next session will support significant legislation to allow Virginia to participate in the solar revolution. Virginia should be allowed to experience the benefits of solar, including:

  • reducing reliance on the traditional energy grid, which reduces the risk of widespread failure in the event of a disruption;
  • protecting against rising energy costs;
  • protecting and increasing property values;
  • boosting U.S. energy independence; and
  • creating jobs and stimulating the Virginia economy.

During peak energy demand, utilities in the Commonwealth actually purchase electricity from out-of-state sources, and I believe it is time for that to change.  Visit our Take Action page to send a letter showing your support for a greater renewable energy mix in Virginia.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: solar, solar energy, Solar Energy Industries Association, State of Virginia, virginia energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation

First in a Series:  More Dangerous, More Expensive? Overlooked Consequences of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline

July 20, 2016 By Editor

By Nigam Trivedi, Lehigh University

In recent years, natural gas has been touted as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to both non-renewable and renewable energy sources. Utilities hold strong incentives to build for natural gas supply where they can, and Dominion’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline is no exception. In fact, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLP boasts a myriad of supporters in the form of state government officials, private companies and state-level organizations from West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina.

Gas Pipeline ArtThe pipeline’s stated goal is to replace coal power to help reduce carbon emissions. The pipeline plan, however, is not without some significant drawbacks and dangers. In order to construct this pipeline, Dominion Energy has asked for, and has been granted, a right of way through residential homes. The construction of such a pipeline not only gives the corporation the power to supersede ownership rights of so many homeowners, but it also presents a significant safety risk to them as well.

Heidi Cochran of Nelson County, Virginia, has been struggling against Dominion for more than two years to keep the ACP off of her property. Dominion insists on the safety of the pipeline that would run underneath her home. However, one employee of the utility informed her that in the event of an explosion, its radius would measure at 1,100 feet from one side of the pipe, and that such an explosion would set any buildings in the vicinity ablaze. Cochran’s home would stand about 50 feet from this leg of the ACP.

Such catastrophes are not relegated to the imagination, as a fire triggered by the explosion of an underground natural gas pipeline destroyed a block of a San Francisco suburb in 2010. It is worth emphasizing that an explosion such as this carries with it the risk of fatalities as well as significant financial costs of property damage. Solar and wind farms, by comparison, do not present such a risk.

Furthermore, in the aftermath of a pipeline explosion, energy dependent customers would be bereft of that much power until Dominion mustered up the capital to reconstruct it. A wind farm or a solar farm would have the distinct advantage of a decentralized generation layout; a hit to one turbine or a few PV panels wouldn’t knock out miles of power, whereas a break anywhere in the pipeline very well could.

As Dominion continues to insist that the construction of an interstate natural gas pipeline is the quickest path to a cleaner energy future, one must realize that it is not necessarily the safest and most environmentally friendly one. Energy consumers will continue to lose the opportunity to effectively use their own naturally occurring resources while they simultaneously find their property eaten up by a utility that seems to be willing to build at the expense of the consumer.

In his next post in this series, Nigam will explore the pipeline and eminent domain issues surrounding it.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: ACP, ACP LLP, Atlantic Coast Pipeline, Dominion Power, Dominion Resources, Nelson County, virginia energy bills, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News, Virginia State Corporation Commission

56 MWh is a Good First Step; Dominion Still Needs to Do More in Virginia

July 13, 2016 By Editor

By Karen Schaufeld

Many of us want more renewable energy available to consumers and ratepayers as quickly as possible here in Virginia, but our state policies need to be updated to make that possible. Across the country, “the U.S. electric sector is in the midst of an unprecedented shift toward clean energy resources,” according to an analyst from the nonprofit sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, who added that “state policies are critical for continued progress in achieving national and international climate goals.”

We are making some headway in the Commonwealth. In fact, Dominion recently won approval from the State Corporation Commission for three new solar farms in Powhatan, Louisa and Isle of Wight counties. With these, Dominion will add 56 megawatts of potential generation that are expected to produce about 124 gigawatts of electricity annually, according to reports.

This is a good first step toward the 400 megawatts of solar power that Dominion has committed to generate by 2020. However, Ceres ranks Dominion 24th of the 30 largest electric utilities in terms of “advances in renewable energy and efficiency.”

In its 2016 Benchmarking Utility Clean Energy analysis, Ceres reports that many of the nation’s largest electric utilities are moving toward lower carbon fuel sources. They determine that the key drivers are “ambitious state policies and strong corporate demand for renewable energy.”

Utilities with the strongest results were in states with strong clean energy policies, such as Colorado, Minnesota, Massachusetts and California. According to an author of the report, “Governments, corporations and individual customers continue to demand clean, efficient energy and some utilities are answering that call.”

We need Dominion to step up even more and start answering the call for solar and other clean, efficient energy sources for Virginia. To get there, we need our Senators and Delegates to demand that Dominion include even more renewable energy options in its offerings in the Commonwealth.

See the Ceres chart for the breakdown of the top 30 utilities:

Filed Under: Myth & Fact, Virginia Energy & Power Tagged With: energy in Virginia, facts, Renewable Energy Laws, virginia energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News, Virginia State Corporation Commission

VEPF16: Virginia Should Look to the South for Brighter Ideas

June 22, 2016 By Editor

By Forest Langhorne, Tufts University

At Senator Mark Warner’s Virginia Energy Policy Forum (VEPF),  a series of speakers, including U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz, presented updates on existing ideas and technology, both known and emerging, that could help Virginia advance the volume of solar and other renewable energy produced in the state.

Solar SavingsOne of these discussions involved comparisons of North Carolina and Virginia energy policy. For example, Dominion Electric has a large footprint in both states, and they both have similar climates and geography. Comparisons of their current and possible renewable energy footprint carry more weight than others.

Yet North Carolina outpaces Virginia in renewable energy generation. North Carolina produced 2,294 megawatts of solar energy in 2015 and installed 1,140 megawatts of solar capacity, while Virginia installed 10 megawatts of solar capacity and only produced 22 megawatts of solar energy.

At VEPF, the main reason posed for this discrepancy is differences in state energy policy. Two pieces of North Carolina legislation were cited specifically:

  1. A renewable energy tax credit passed in 1977, established a tax credit equal to 35% of the value of any renewable energy system installed.
  2. A more recent law that exempted 80% of the value of a photovoltaic solar unit from property taxes.

The result?  North Carolina businesses and residents enjoy two important financial incentives to increase renewable, and especially solar, energy production. In the past few years, Virginia has adopted a similar property tax abatement, but has yet to authorize any renewable tax credits.

Virginia’s property tax abatement is a strong policy development but North Carolina still possesses a strong lead in policy encouraging renewable energy generation, a gap that is being keenly felt right now.

If Virginia wants to encourage a high level of renewable energy development, emulating its neighbor to the south would be a good place to start.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: 2016 Virginia Energy Policy Forum, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Dr. Moniz, Energy Secretary, Senator Mark Warner, Senator Warner, solar energy, Solar Energy Industries Association, US Energy Secretary, VEPF 2016, VEPF16, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly

Just Nine Nodes

May 18, 2016 By Editor

Pins in wood connected by gold wire.Most of us don’t think about how everything – EVERYTHING – we do, use and need to lead our 21st Century lives relies on the generation of reliable sources of energy. Our water supply and sewage treatment facilities rely on electricity. Traffic lights, air traffic control, etc., as well as healthcare, public safety, government, finance and manufacturing must have energy to run effectively and communicate.

This 21st Century need for electricity is balancing on a 20th Century approach to energy production and distribution, according “National Security and Assured U.S. Electrical Power,” a report by the CNA Military Advisory Board.

Today’s grid is comprised of three grids: the Eastern, Western and Texas Interconnects and “is built on the model that power comes from large stationary power-generation facilities, flows through hundreds of thousands of miles of transmission lines and high-voltage transformers, and finally reaches consumers.” As our country has evolved, it almost seems like the grid has reversed… while they have grown in size, they also have grown in distance from consumers, and their numbers have decreased.

Why should we care about this outdated and rigid grid? As I mentioned in my last post, the growing number of attacks on it is just one reason. More alarming to me is the fact that our infrastructure has 55,000 transmission substations, but, according to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) study, if an attack – physical or cyber – took out just nine of these nodes, we could end up in a regional or nationwide electricity outage that could last for weeks or more.

In addition, since most generating sources are fossil fuel powered or nuclear powered, the consequences of disrupting or attacking these plants are far more dangerous than destroying wind turbines or solar panels.

Remember, everything relies on energy, and backup generators aren’t designed to last for weeks or months. Not only could we not communicate in the ways we are used to – phones, email, blogging, etc. – our public safety networks would eventually go down. Our transportation infrastructure – street lights and, presumably, the ability to travel by air or rail – would also eventually stop. Hospitals would run out of power for dialysis machines and other life-saving supports. “The likely resulting chaos and potential social unrest will present overwhelming challenges for emergency responders, law enforcement, and public health and medical providers—providers who will be confronting the same power shortages.”

Not scared yet? You should be. Our country needs to move away from our traditional approach to energy and toward a modern, “flexible, open-architecture grid paradigm [that] will provide for electrical energy that is generated closer to the user and will be less of a strategic target.”

That new open architecture will include renewable energy sources, such as solar and help reduce our reliance on our large – and very vulnerable – traditional power plants.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact Tagged With: CNA Military Advisory Board, coal, coal industry, energy in Virginia, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, Powered by Facts, Solar Energy Industries Association, State of Virginia, virginia energy legislation

Imagine What VA Could do with the Power of Solar Farming

April 5, 2016 By Editor

Solar Farm

Rooftop Solar is Expected to Generate 32% of Virginia’s Electricity

Rooftop solar could generate nearly 40% of electricity in the United States, according to a recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL). The report went on to create at state-by-state comparison that estimated that the combined potential for energy from solar on small, medium and large buildings in the Commonwealth of Virginia would account for 32.4 percent of its electricity.

The NREL looked at ZIP-code-level data with rooftop suitability characteristics to model the rooftop capacity of 128 cities across the United States. In addition to looking at suitability, the NREL also factored in each state’s per-capita energy consumption to determine the overall potential for solar to offset electricity generation. Keep in mind that the NREL only looked at buildings, not at other suitable sites for solar.

In fact, according to an NREL spokesperson, “It is important to note that this report only estimates the potential from existing, suitable rooftops, and does not consider the immense potential of ground-mounted PV.”

Solar Farming and the Future of  VA Renewable Energy

Reading the NREL has us imaging how much potential Virginia has for solar energy. If you have read recent posts, you know we supported Senator Wagner’s efforts to allow Virginia farmers to use their land to generate solar energy to produce power for their own needs, as well as to sell excess power to other customers or back to their utility. We actively encouraged our readers to support Senate Bill 779, which would have enabled Virginia farmers to create an additional long-term predictable source of revenue from solar farming.

Unfortunately, the bill was shelved until next year. We want Virginia farmers to have the chance to use solar to create a predictable income stream, so we will be watching the committee discussions over the coming months with great interest.

In the meantime, we cannot help but imagine how much energy the Commonwealth could generate if it allowed for “farming” of the sun.

Virginia has more than 46,000 farms, and the average farm size is 171 acres. According to the Virginia Farm Bureau, farms account for 32 percent of Virginia’s total land area, covering 7.9 million acres.

Imagine how Virginia would look on this NERL map, if we allowed for farming of the sun:

NREL map

About 90 percent of Virginia farms are owned and operated by individuals or families.

Show Virginia farmers your support — reach out to your Senators and Delegates to let them know that solar is important for farmers and everyone in Virginia and you expect them to support SB 779.

In our next post, we will discuss why solar and other options for energy could prove to be safer for Virginia.

Filed Under: Virginia Business & Workforce, Virginia Energy & Power, Virginia Law Tagged With: 2017 Virginia General Assembly, energy in Virginia, SB 779, virginia energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy News, Virginia State Corporation Commission

Virginia Requires Imported Energy to Keep up With Demand

March 21, 2016 By Editor

Renewable Energy VA | Solar Energy VA

Imported Energy Means Raising Prices for Virginia Ratepayers

Although not much ground was gained for renewable energy during the 2016 Virginia General Assembly, now is the time to begin making your voice heard! By letting your representatives know early and often that we demand cheaper, safer and more reliable energy in the Commonwealth, we can make sure that we aren’t left any further behind other states that are already way ahead of Virginia with renewables.

In addition, renewable energy options would alleviate Virginia’s current need to buy energy from outside the state. Here’s what you need to know about the current energy mix:

Virginia Faces an Energy Deficit

In 2013, the most recent year with complete information available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Virginia consumed 107,794,985 MWh of electricity. Of this, only 70,739,235 MWh, or about two-thirds, was generated within the Commonwealth.  What’s more, most of the energy purchased was to make up Virginia’s deficit during “on-peak” times, such as on a hot summer day when our air conditioners are working overtime.

What Does This Mean?

When utilities are forced to purchase energy during these on-peak times of high demand, it is far more expensive than during “off-peak” times when demand for energy is much lower. For example, in 2015, utilities in Virginia saw these on-peak prices reach over 27 cents/kWh. Because utilities are obligated to provide us with electricity around the clock, they pay this exorbitant rate and then pass the costs along to us, the ratepayers. However, this doesn’t have to be the case…

I Want Cheaper Electricity, What Can I Do About it?

In order to avoid these unnecessary costs and lower rates for consumers, Virginia utilities must be able to generate enough electricity in state to meet on-peak consumer demand, rather than purchasing electricity from utilities far away. The most effective way for utilities to do this is by growing renewable energy.

While nuclear power is unsafe and the price for uranium, coal, and gas is only projected to increase over time, the price for sources of renewable energy – the wind and sun – will always be zero! Even in the short term, Virginia utilities admit that solar energy is one of the most economic options and would save customers money on their electric bills!

 

Filed Under: Myth & Fact, Virginia Energy & Power, Virginia Law Tagged With: 2017 Virginia General Assembly, State of Virginia, Virginia Energy Crisis, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News

Tell Virginia Governor McAuliffe you Support HB 444 and SB 745

March 2, 2016 By Editor

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.

Filed Under: Myth & Fact, VA 2016 General Assembly, Virginia Energy & Power, Virginia Law Tagged With: Department of Energy, DoE, energy in Virginia, HB 444, renewable energy, SB 745, SCC, State Corporation Commission, State of Virginia, virginia energy, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy, Virginia Renewable Energy Legislation, Virginia Renewable Energy News, Virginia State Corporation Commission

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

February 5, 2016 By Editor

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!

Filed Under: VA 2016 General Assembly, Virginia Law Tagged With: energy in Virginia, net metering, renewable energy, solar energy, Virginia agriculture, virginia energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy

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

February 3, 2016 By Editor

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.

 

 

Filed Under: VA 2016 General Assembly, Virginia Law Tagged With: energy in Virginia, renewable energy, virginia energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly, virginia renewable energy

Virginia General Assembly Set to Consider Renewable Energy in 2016

January 12, 2016 By Editor

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

Filed Under: VA 2016 General Assembly, Virginia Law Tagged With: renewable energy, virginia energy laws, virginia energy legislation, virginia general assembly

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