The VCEA becomes law on July 1. The act is not perfect. Its calls for tighter energy efficiency standards could have been more aggressive, and it leaves too much power in the hands of monopolies. But for its focus on decarbonizing Virginia’s electrical power sector by by 2050, the bill is stronger and more practical than it is widely represented as mandating 100% renewable energy.
Click here to read ZCV’s Local Opinions op-ed in the Washington Post
As February 7th, a substitute for the Virginia Clean Economy Act VCEA (HB 1526) has been introduced and reported out of the Labor and Commerce committee. I am working through the substitute VCEA to understand what is now on the table. Here is what I have gleaned so far:
I will make updates as I make my way through the bill and other bills related to it.
Virginia’s General Assembly is considering a large number of bills that address our energy economy, climate change and the environment. Unlike prior years, several bills are likely to pass. The Zero Carbon team reviewed the 100-plus House bills and the 50-plus Senate bills. The topics range from updates to boards and committees to overhauling the structure of regulated utilities and banning fossil fuel use. We identified bills that are consistent with ZCV Legislative Priorities and that would generate immediate results.
Continue reading “2020 Bill Endorsements”
Below is a transcript of my comments from the Virginia Environmental Justice Rally on October 28, 2018. The rally was held in support of Juliana vs US, the case where 22 youth are suing the federal government for causing climate change. (Photo credit Chris Tandy)
The law of holes says… when you find yourself in a hole, step one to get out… is to stop digging. Climate change is a hole dug by burning fossil fuels for decades. The hole is deep, getting deeper, and its ill effects are being felt now. It is time to stop digging.
Virginia’s 2018 Legislative session closed on March 10, 2018. On the energy policy front, the big attention getter was the “Dominion Bill” (SB 966), but a few other bills made it through the session as well.
Our list of energy policy related bills submitted for Virginia’s 2018 Legislative session is updated here. Bills that did not make it to the Governor’s desk are indicated by strike-through text.
Out of 93 bills that we identified as being of interest, 18 made it out of both the Senate and House. Among the bills that passed, 13 were Republican sponsored and 5 were Democrat sponsored. Governor Northam has signed six bills into law including SB 966. He will take action on the remaining bills by April 9, 2018.
One bill to pay attention to is HB 1270 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; prohibition on participation by Commonwealth. This bill prohibits participation in the CO2 Budget Trading Program that is discussed on our Executive Action Page. It is expected that Governor Northam will veto this bill and that it will not be overturned by the legislature.
You and I probably agree that solar is awesome. But does it make financial sense? To get an answer, we need to know three things: how much energy will be produced, how much the system will cost, and how are we going to come up with money to pay for it.
To get an estimate on that, we will head to PVWatts, enter our ZIP code (I’m using 20147 in Northern Virginia), choose a nearby weather station, then enter 1 for the system size (that’s kilowatts) and 33.7 for tilt — an equivalent to a fairly typical 8/12 roof pitch. The reason I’m looking at a 1 kW system is that we can use its numbers to get an estimate for any other size just by multiplying. If a 1 kW system generates $100 worth of electricity, then a 2 kW system will produce $200, it’s that simple.
Continue reading “Economics of residential solar in Virginia”
Our list of energy policy related bills submitted for Virginia’s 2018 Legislative session is updated here. Bills that have have failed are indicated by strike-through text.
At this point, close to one-third of the tracked bills have failed in one way or another. In broad terms, bills relating to topics such as renewable portfolio standards, expanding privately owned distributed generation, and putting a price on carbon are failing to move forward.
Two bills have passed floor votes. HB 508 Solar facilities; local regulation passed the House and SB 902 Property tax; exemption for solar energy equipment and facilities passed the Senate. They next will cross over for consideration in the other chamber.
Monday, February 5 and Tuesday, February 6 are shaping up to be significant days with respect energy policy in Richmond. Continue reading “Legislative Update – February 4, 2018”
Our list of energy policy related bills submitted for Virginia’s 2018 Legislative session is updated here.
Two tracked bills have already failed to make it out of committee –SB 9 Electric utility regulation; suspension of reviews of earnings, transitional rate period and SB 696 Va. Alternative Energy & Coastal Protection Act; regulations to establish carbon dioxide cap, etc.
SB 696 Va. Alternative Energy & Coastal Protection Act; regulations to establish carbon dioxide cap, etc would put legislative support behind Governor McAuliffe’s initiative to establish a carbon trading program for Virginia. The bill is up on Thursday in the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources for consideration.
Show your support for this bill by contacting the Senators on this committee, especially if you are one of their constituents:
Stuart(Chairman), Hanger, Ruff, Obenshain, Petersen, Marsden, Stanley, Black, Ebbin, Lewis, Chafin, Dance,Suetterlein, Mason, McClellan
Call and write these senators to make your voice heard. Draft your own email or use this Support of SB 696 – Model Email to contact these Senators and show your support for SB 696.
Act early, the bill is the 2nd item on the committee’s agenda. The committee meets 1/2-hour after the Senate Session adjourns.
Zero Carbon Virginia 