Virginia

Virginia legislators have introduced the Facilitating Access to Surplus Transmission (FAST) Act, a bill designed to deliver new gigawatts (GW) to the grid by tapping into underused capacity at existing power plants.

The State Corporation Commission has approved Dominion Energy’s proposed Chesterfield peaker plant without conditions, advancing a project that will increase long-term costs for Virginia customers despite readily available, lower-cost alternatives that strengthen grid reliability.

The Center Square reports on the election outcomes in New Jersey and Virginia, where Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger won their gubernatorial races. United’s Virginia Director Jim Purekal and New Jersey Policy Lead Katie Mettle highlighted the future governors’ focus on lowering energy prices through clean energy as a key component of their victories.

PV Magazine reports on the election results from Virginia and New Jersey, with a specific focus on unlocking new clean energy opportunities by making better use of existing interconnection capacity. United’s Virginia Director Jim Purekal emphasized that Virginia must make the most of existing energy resources to meet rising load growth, while United’s New Jersey Policy Lead Katie Mettle highlighted the need for siting and permitting reforms to get more projects online faster.

“The results of both Governors races reflect that leaders who embrace clean energy as a path to lower bills, reliable power, and economic growth are being rewarded at the ballot box,” said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at Advanced Energy United.

In Virginia, it’s more important than ever to quickly build and site new energy projects in the wake of H.R. 1, which could slow the pace of investment and development in critically needed initiatives. WHRO spoke with industry experts, including United’s Jim Purekal, who urged state leaders to keep costs low for ratepayers and highlighted solar as the most cost-effective form of energy generation available.

The Commission rejected Appalachian Power’s proposal, preserving Net Energy Metering for customer-owned solar RICHMOND, VA – Today the Virginia State Corporation Commission rejected a proposal by Appalachian Power Company that would have drastically reduced the value of customer-owned rooftop solar in their territory. By preserving the current net energy metering structure, the Commission protected a critical program that allows […]

Virginia’s State Corporation Commission conditionally approved Dominion Energy’s proposed 15-year energy plan, but noted that it fails to address Virginia’s statutory requirement for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. Canary Media spoke with United’s Shawn Kelly, who stated that the proposal must support a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future by making use of proven advanced energy solutions, such as energy efficiency and battery storage.

The State Corporation Commission released its order on Dominion Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

In an opinion piece for the Virginia Mercury, United’s Jim Purekal underscores the importance of federal tax credits in modernizing Hampton Roads’ energy systems, lowering electricity costs for residents, and bolstering energy security across the region. He calls on policymakers to safeguard these incentives going forward, which are essential to developing advanced energy projects and maintaining an affordable, reliable, and secure energy future for Virginians. 

In an op-ed for Cardinal News, United’s Morgan Pinnell discusses the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which has catalyzed tremendous economic and environmental benefits throughout the state. Looking ahead, she calls for renewed leadership to streamline interconnection, permitting, and efficiency efforts in order to scale up renewable deployment and keep Virginia on track toward its clean energy goals.

Dominion Energy’s recent plan to meet increased load growth ignores Virginia’s 2045 mandate—established under the Virginia Clean Economy Act—to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity. United’s Shawn Kelly spoke with Canary Media about the plan, noting that it limits the usage of proven, cost-effective advanced energy technologies (including wind, solar, demand response, and virtual power plants) to meet growing demand within the state.