Augusta Free Press covered the introduction of legislation to provide Virginia with a 100 percent carbon-free electricity grid by 2050 and included quotes by Virginia AEE's Harry Godfrey and AEE Member Apex Clean Energy. Read excerpts below and the entire Augusta Free Press piece here. 

Legislation to give Virginia a 100 percent carbon-free electricity grid by 2050 will be introduced in the Virginia General Assembly in January. Sen. Jennifer McClellan, Del. Rip Sullivan, Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy and Del. Alfonso Lopez joined representatives from a broad coalition of advocacy groups Thursday to announce the introduction of the Virginia Clean Economy Act. The bill would also set the goal to eliminate carbon pollution by Virginia’s utilities by 2050...

A broad coalition of nearly two dozen businesses, environmental and social justice groups also announced their support for the Virginia Clean Economy Act. “Achieving the goals of Gov. Northam’s Executive Order on clean energy will be a win for Virginia consumers and our economy. The broadly supported bill introduced today will reach these goals and has the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the Commonwealth while saving Virginia families an average of $3,500 over the life of the program,” said Harry Godfrey, executive director of business group Virginia Advanced Energy Economy. “By supporting this legislation, the General Assembly can deliver an equitable energy system that is run on clean, secure, and affordable energy.”

“We are thrilled to see Virginia consider moving toward a carbon-free electricity grid,” said Mark Goodwin, president and CEO of Apex Clean Energy. “As a Virginia-based renewable energy company, Apex is proud to be a part of the renewable energy economy and to provide jobs right here in our own backyard. We are encouraged by the leadership of the governor, the legislature, and the Virginia Advanced Energy Economy in their efforts to make this goal a reality, and we look forward to the continuing discussions...”

Read the entire Augusta Free Press piece here.