AEE Applauds House Leaders for Committee Passage of Virginia Clean Economy Act

National business group says HB 1526 puts state on path for 100% clean energy by 2050, would create tens of thousands of jobs

RICHMOND, Feb. 6, 2020 – This evening, national business group Advanced Energy Economy applauded Virginia House leaders for passing HB 1526*, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), out of House Labor and Commerce Committee. The vote was 13-9.  

“We applaud House Labor & Commerce Committee members for their action this evening to move the Virginia Clean Economy Act forward,” said Advanced Energy Economy Virginia Executive Director Harry Godfrey. “AEE is excited to work with the General Assembly and our coalition partners to make sure Virginia’s energy future is free of carbon emissions while strengthening the economy, creating tens of thousands of jobs, and protecting consumers."

First introduced Dec. 19 by Senator Jennifer McClellan, Del. Rip Sullivan, Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, and Del. Alfonso Lopez, the bill would enact a plan into law to implement Gov. Northam’s goal for Virginia to produce 100% of its electricity from clean sources by 2050. The four pillars of VCEA would eliminate all utility pollution by 2050 and require major investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources throughout the Commonwealth.   

A broad coalition of environmental groups, clean energy organizations, social justice, and businesses support the VCEA.

The bill now moves on to the House floor. A companion bill is expected to be considered by a Senate committee over the weekend and must also be passed the full Senate by Feb. 11, crossover day, to meet Virginia's deadline for bill action by both chambers.

Background Resources:

• "Virginia lawmakers unveil clean energy legislation, "13 News Now story here.
• "Lawmakers, Advocates Unveil Historic Clean Energy Legislation in Virginia," coalition press statement.
• “Virginia Advanced Energy Jobs” fact sheet here published by Advanced Energy Economy with data from labor economist BW Research using data from the 2019 U.S. Energy and Employment Report.
• “Virginia's Energy Transition: Charting the Benefits and Tradeoffs of Virginia's Transition to a 100% Clean Energy Grid" report here by The Greenlink Group for Virginia Advanced Energy Economy. 

*AEE offers free, complimentary access to its PowerSuite online platform tracking all federal and state energy legislation and regulatory filings to credentialed media. Sign up for a free trial and contact Monique Hanis (mhanis@aee.net) for permanent access.

About Advanced Energy Economy:
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. Engaged at the federal level and in more than a dozen states around the country, including Virginia. AEE represents more than 100 companies in the $238 billion U.S. advanced energy industry, which employs 3.5 million U.S. workers. Learn more at www.aee.net, track the latest news @AEEnet.