• May 3, 2018

Energy was a top agenda item in the General Assembly this year. Virginians have seen an increase in clean-energy investments by leading companies, which is in part driving a major shift in attitudes and momentum around energy — especially when it comes to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

As a result, earlier this year state lawmakers approved the Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 (SB 966), which will help to modernize the grid and increase the availability of clean energy resources in Virginia.

Virginia has been slow to realize the benefits of clean energy technologies — often lagging behind neighboring states like North Carolina. This session, legislators passed bills that will take meaningful steps toward increasing utility investment in renewable energy and modernizing Virginia’s framework for evaluating and approving utility efficiency programs.

As companies across the commonwealth increasingly look to access clean, renewable energy as a way to save money and hedge against volatile fuel prices, Virginians should continue to do more to avail ourselves of all that clean energy has to offer and to attract corporate clean energy investments.

In 2018, legislators made some important strides to help customers reduce energy waste and save money on energy bills.

Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Richmond/Chesterfield) and Del. Tim Hugo (R- Fairfax) introduced legislation to make more energy efficiency programs accessible to residents and businesses. Conservatives for Clean Energy recognized these lawmakers with an award for championing this issue, and their legislation was ultimately included in SB 966, which Gov. Ralph Northam signed in March.

The legislature passed several other provisions that make important advancements for both renewable energy and energy efficiency in the commonwealth, including:

  • A commitment by electric utilities to invest $1.1 billion in energy efficiency programs.
  • A requirement that utilities must spend at least half of their allowable “grid transformation” investments on clean energy.
  • A declaration that 5,000 megawatts of solar and wind energy are now “in the public interest,” which should make it easier for these beneficial projects to be approved by regulators.
  • An extension of the “Green Job Creation Tax Credit” for employers who create clean-energy jobs that pay an annual salary of at least $50,000.

While these are positive developments, Virginia has more to do to compete with neighboring states on clean energy.

It is also essential that state regulators fully understand the many benefits of transitioning to a clean electricity grid and that the State Corporation Commission allow forward-thinking clean energy investments, such as those intended by SB 966, to come to fruition.

So far, multinational companies are leading the way on renewable energy investments in Virginia, demonstrating both their feasibility and cost effectiveness.

In 2015, Amazon installed an 80-megawatt solar facility in Accomack County — the first of its kind for the state — and a year later announced that it would bring an additional 180 megawatts of solar scattered across several counties, enough to power 34,000 homes.

Last month, Microsoft announced a new 500-megawatt solar project in Spotsylvania County, of which the company will use 315 megawatts. Importantly, the project will also allow other energy users — like business, universities, and hospitals — to purchase the remaining energy at the lower price associated with a large-scale solar project. Corporate projects like these have paved the way for Virginia lawmakers to embrace clean energy, and these projects certainly should not slow down any time soon.

In Virginia, more than 30 companies are committed to powering their operations with 100 percent renewable energy, while 21 of Virginia’s 50 largest employers have set targets to procure more clean energy.

Many of these companies want to access affordable renewable energy and support policies that will lead to a cleaner grid, foster local job-creation, and increase access to renewable energy. All of this will help ensure a thriving, healthy economic future for Virginia businesses and residents.

This past legislative session showed that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are recognizing the economic benefits of clean energy for Virginia’s economy. Now, lawmakers and regulators alike should follow the lead of corporate leaders by building on the momentum from this legislative session to ensure that clean energy becomes an integral part of Virginia’s economy.

Photo credit: Solar panels soak up the sun at the Dominion Whitehouse project in Louisa County. 2016, TIMES-DISPATCH

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