Advanced Energy Perspectives

When it comes to energy policy, all eyes have been on Washington, D.C., over the past year. Meanwhile, with far less attention, the states continue to lead the way in our energy transition. Between figuring out how to put to work funds from last year’s federal infrastructure bill, carrying out their own mandates for clean energy, and prepping for an electric transportation future, states will remain the primary venue for building an advanced energy economy in 2022. Here are some of the trends AEE will be watching – and engaging in – this year.

Images compiled from separate virtual meetings with candidates. Clockwise from top left: Audrey Lee, Microsoft; Harry Godfrey, AEE; Jennifer Carroll Foy, candidate for Governor; Ebo Entsuah, AEE; Terry McAuliffe, candidate for Governor; Delegate Jay Jones, candidate for Attorney General; Senator Jennifer McClellan, candidate for Governor; Delegate Jason Miyares, candidate for AG; Attorney General Mark Herring, center. 

Advanced energy and transportation have made tremendous strides in Virginia over the past four years. The Grid Transformation and Security Act (GTSA), Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), and Clean Cars Act are some notable examples, and there are plenty of smaller wins as well. This success was built upon early and frequent engagement with Gov. Northam’s Administration and lawmakers at the General Assembly, beginning with business roundtables AEE held with gubernatorial candidates four years ago. Now, with Gov. Northam ineligible for re-election this fall because of Virginia’s single-term limit on its chief executive, we are doing it all again, focusing on candidates for both Governor and Attorney General.

Setting out toward an advanced transportation future can feel like a mythic quest, given the array of investments, organizations, policies, and regulations required. Only a handful of states have truly embarked upon it, and none have reached the promised land yet. But a new entrant, Virginia, has embarked on that journey, and after a quick legislative session just ended, is making impressive headway.

A little less than a year ago, Virginia made history by passing the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and becoming the first Southern state to establish a 100% clean energy standard. Today, the VCEA faces one of its first critical tests, as the State Corporation Commission (SCC) considers Dominion’s 2020 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) filing – the utility’s first under the law’s new binding standard. Will the Commission find in favor of the utility, ruling only on the basis of the projects Dominion proposes to build and contract for? Or will the Commission consider the utility’s proposal within the broader context of the law, which pushes utilities to meet their RPS requirements through a variety of means to ensure lowest cost, as AEE and a number of other intervenors propose? It is our hope that the Commission will look at the forest, not just the trees – and set Dominion on the right clean-energy course for Virginia’s families and businesses.

Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Rip Sullivan celebrate passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, with AEE's Harry Godfrey (center) and JR Tolbert (right of Sullivan) looking on. Photo by Mary Rafferty

Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature. The VCEA represents the single largest initiative spurring advanced energy investment in the southeastern United States. It  is also the culmination of three years of engagement and advocacy in the Commonwealth for Advanced Energy Economy. What does the Virginia Clean Economy Act do? And how did the Old Dominion go from laggard to leader in advanced energy? Read on.