Press Releases
- April 9, 2018: Virginia AEE Supports DEQ Carbon Regulations, Economic Driver for Commonwealth
- March 22, 2018: Virginia AEE lauds Microsoft’s investment in 500 MW Solar Project
Virginia AEE In The News
- June 25, 2018: Energy News Network quotes VA AEE's Godfrey regarding OSW in Va.
- June 7, 2018: Navigating Renewable Energy Options in Virginia
- April 27, 2018: Energy News Network quotes VA AEE's Harry Godfrey regarding Va. efficiency programs
- April 24, 2018: Grow Virginia's Economy while Shrinking Emissions? You Bet.
- April 17, 2018: Virginian-Pilot Op-Ed by VA AEE's Godfrey - "Virginia Moves Closer to Increasing Clean Energy"
- March 28, 2018: Roanoke Times Op-Ed by VA AEE's Godfrey - "Gov., Appoint an SCC Commissioner..."
- March 23, 2018: Utility Dive quotes VA AEE's Harry Godfrey regarding Microsoft's investment
- March 14, 2018: Success, Suspense, and Advanced Energy Progress in Virginia
Energy News Network quotes VA AEE's Harry Godfrey regarding Offshore Wind in Va.
June 25, 2018
Elizabeth McGowan | Energy News Network
Energy News Network wrote an in-depth piece regarding the opportunity for offshore wind development in Virginia, and what it might take to get the Commonwealth ready for action. From the article
Does Virginia have the pieces in place for an offshore wind boom?
"The state and region that decides to lead on offshore wind will enjoy the gains of providing the supply chain and jobs" [Harrison Godfrey] said. One of his fears is that the state will move too slowly and lose out on a growth opportunity for which it is well suited. "The race is on," Godfrey said "and to the victor go the spoils."
Continue reading the original article here
Navigating Renewable Energy Options in Virginia - Guide to a Changing Landscape
June 7, 2018
Posted by Caitlin Marquis & Harry Godfrey
In Virginia, several voluntary renewable energy tariffs have been introduced by the state’s two largest investor-owned utilities, Dominion Energy (Dominion) and Appalachian Power Co. (APCo). Customers also have the option to purchase renewable energy from competitive service providers, with certain restrictions. Are the options now available sufficient to meet the needs of Virginia’s diverse businesses that want renewable energy to power their operations?
The purpose of renewable energy tariffs, in Virginia and elsewhere, is to give customers (generally commercial and industrial, or C&I, customers) of vertically integrated utilities a way to choose renewable energy to meet their electricity needs. For some customers, the programs in Virginia have done the trick. But others are still waiting for a plan that’s right for them. AEE and Virginia AEE have teamed up to provide a guide to renewable energy in the Commonwealth – how to get it, and what needs to change to get all customers the renewable energy they want.
Continue reading on blog.aee.net
Energy News Network quotes VA AEE's Harry Godfrey regarding Va. efficiency programs
April 27, 2018
Jim Pierobon | Energy News Network
Energy News Network wrote an in-depth piece regarding the outlook for energy efficiency in the Commonwealth. While SB. 966 should spur over $1 billion in new EE investments over the next decade, advocates are worried that the investments may not yield the savings they should. From the article
Virginia Efficiency Programs Due for Windfall, But Will It Be Well Spent?
'Harrison Godfrey, executive director of Virginia Advanced Energy Economy, a trade association that advocates for clean energy and efficiency, said he is “not convinced utilities will invest in technologies that are real game-changers,” such as digital meters to help mid-sized customers manage energy use.'
Continue reading the original article here
Grow Virginia's Economy while Shrinking Emissions? You Bet.
April 24, 2018
Posted by Harry Godfrey
Step-by-step, Virginia is moving closer to establishing a carbon trading market. That’s good news for advanced energy and the Commonwealth’s economy.
Earlier this month, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wrapped up a public comment period on its proposed CO2 Budget Trading Program. Under this regulation, fossil-fired generators with a capacity equal to or greater than 25 megawatts (MW) would be issued permits and required to meet mitigation targets, either through reducing emissions or procuring additional permits. This regulation will help make Virginia’s energy more secure, clean, and affordable while reducing emissions and bolstering the state’s economy – central goals of Virginia AEE.
The Virginian-Pilot Op-Ed "Virginia moves closer to increasing clean energy"
April 17, 2018
Harrison Godfrey
For entirely too long, Virginia has trailed its neighbors when it comes to advanced energy. This year, the General Assembly took an important step to change that, with legislators from Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area playing a leading role. We should celebrate that leadership, and work to fully realize the opportunity they created.
In March the General Assembly passed, and Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law, SB 966. This legislation has the potential to accelerate advanced energy in Virginia, saving money for customers and boosting job growth in the commonwealth. Negotiated by the governor, legislators, Virginia utilities, large energy users and a group of environmental, clean energy and consumer advocates, this bill opens the door to significant investments in energy efficiency and clean generation.
From our perspective, this bill presents an opportunity to create new clean energy jobs while potentially letting all Virginians save money and benefit from an advanced energy economy. Advanced energy in Virginia means jobs and entrepreneurial innovation.
Continue reading the original article here
Virginia AEE Supports DEQ Carbon Regulations, Economic Driver for Commonwealth
Modeling finds regulation proposed by DEQ could reduce electricity rates, boost economy with up to $4.6 billion in investment and up to 40,000 new advanced energy jobs
April 9, 2018
Posted by VA AEE
Virginia Advanced Energy Economy (Virginia AEE) submitted comments today regarding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission trading program proposed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In the comments, Virginia AEE expressed its support for the proposed regulation, noting that it will help make Virginia’s energy more secure, clean, and affordable, while driving up to $4.6 billion in in-state investment and adding up to 40,000 new advanced energy jobs.
Using the State Tool for Electricity Emission Reductions (STEER), an integrated resource-planning tool built to identify the least-cost way to implement CO2 regulations, Virginia AEE modeled possible compliance pathways. It found that utilizing a diverse portfolio of advanced energy resources – including both renewable energy and energy efficiency – Virginia could reduce emissions by over 13.3 million tons between 2020 and 2030, far surpassing the reduction targets in the draft regulation.
Roanoke Times Op-Ed "Governor, Appoint an SCC Commissioner - and point Virginia toward advanced energy"
March 28, 2018
Harrison Godfrey
Gov. Ralph Northam has an opportunity — through a rare vacancy on the State Corporation Commission (SCC) — to unleash innovation and accelerate economic growth in the commonwealth. We urge him to seize it.
The SCC regulates Virginia’s energy economy, overseeing everything from the costs a utility may recoup for building infrastructure (such as pipelines) to the development of wind power in places such as Botetourt County. This past February, Judge James Dimitri, one of the three members of the SCC, retired.
Under normal circumstances, vacancies on the SCC are filled by the General Assembly, without the governor’s input. Although legislators considered a number of candidates to fill the remainder of Dimitri’s term, they failed to reach consensus before adjournment. As a result, the responsibility to fill this vacancy — in accordance with Virginia’s Constitution — falls to the governor.
Utility Dive quotes VA AEE's Harry Godfrey regarding Microsoft's investment
March 23, 2018
Peter Maloney | Utility Dive
Utility Dive covered the announcement by Microsoft that it will purchase 315 MW of energy from two sPower solar projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From the article:
Microsoft claims its planned purchase of 315 MW from two solar projects under development in Virginia by sPower is the largest power corporate PPA in the United States to date.
Virginia AEE hailed the announcement, as quoted by Utility Dive:
The Microsoft deal will not only “nearly doubles the amount of installed solar capacity in the Commonwealth, but with it Microsoft and sPower will also provide a new way for other energy purchasers to buy into, and benefit from, the secure, clean, affordable energy these solar facilities provide,” Harrison Godfrey, executive director of the advocacy group Virginia Advanced Energy Economy.
Continue reading the original article here
Virginia AEE lauds Microsoft’s investment in 500 MW Solar Project
March 22, 2018
Posted by VA AEE
RICHMOND, March 22, 2018 – Today, Virginia Advanced Energy Economy (Virginia AEE) hailed the announcement by Microsoft Corp. that it would purchase 315 MW of energy from two new solar energy projects being developed in the Commonwealth. The projects – Pleinmont I and II, which will be developed, owned, and operated by sPower, an AES and AIMCo company – will have a total capacity of 500 MW. Both Microsoft and AES are members of Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business organization, with which Virginia AEE is affiliated.
“This announcement is groundbreaking for advanced energy in Virginia,” said Harrison Godfrey, executive director of the business group Virginia Advanced Energy Economy. “Not only will this investment nearly double the amount of installed solar capacity in the Commonwealth, but with it Microsoft and sPower will also provide a new way for other energy purchasers to buy into, and benefit from, the secure, clean, affordable energy these solar facilities provide.”
Continue reading the original release on aee.net
Success, Suspense, and Advanced Energy Progress in Virginia
March 14, 2018
Posted by Harry Godfrey
The 2018 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly ended Saturday, capping a two-month sprint that included breakthrough legislation that will accelerate renewable energy development and energy efficiency investment in the Commonwealth, with AEE engaged all the way. But the legislature left behind some unfinished business: while much ink has covered the Assembly’s inability to pass a budget, lawmakers also failed to reach consensus on appointing a new member of the State Corporation Commission (SCC), which has potential implications for Virginia’s advanced energy future.
Here is a look back at the progress we have made, and ahead to unfinished business, as we work to build a greater presence in the Commonwealth and expand the market for advanced energy companies.
