News

Associated Press covered the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act in the House and Senate, noting AEE's role supporting the bill. AEE since spoke to reporters about long-term savings to customers (addressing some concerns raised in the story) as Assembly leaders work to reconcile the two bills. Read excerpts below and the entire AP piece here (that also ran in more than 175 news outlets across the nation including The Washington Post). 

The Virginia House and Senate passed sweeping energy legislation Tuesday that would overhaul how Virginia’s utilities generate electricity and, supporters say, move the state from the back of the pack to the forefront of renewable energy policy in the United States... 

Augusta Free Press covered passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (SB 851) by the House Labor and Commerce Committee quoting Virginia AEE's Harry Godfrey. Read excerpts below and the entire Augusta Free Press piece here. 

The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee voted 12-3 on Sunday to pass SB 851, the Virginia Clean Economy Act. The bill, a companion to HB 1526 that passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee, would enact a plan into law to implement Gov. Ralph Northam’s goal for Virginia to produce 100 percent of its electricity from clean sources by 2050.

AEE Applauds Senate Committee Passage of
Virginia Clean Economy Act

National business group lauds Senator McClellan for leadership on SB 851 that puts state on path for 100% clean energy by 2050, will create tens of thousands of jobs

RICHMOND, Feb. 10, 2020 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy applauded Virginia Senate leaders for passing SB 851, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), out of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee on Sunday afternoon. The vote was 12-3.  

E&E News covered how the recent Coronavirus in China has negatively affected the U.S. energy market, noting AEE has not observed impact in solar market yet. Read excerpts below and the entire E&E News piece here. 

Since the first reports of the deadly coronavirus, oil prices have stumbled, shipments of U.S. liquefied natural gas have gone undelivered, production of solar equipment has languished, and two manufacturers of electric vehicles — Hyundai and Kia — have halted production at some of their factories. Concerns are now growing about the energy sector as work slowdowns and transportation bottlenecks in China have a ripple effect because of the country's manufacturing dominance and its role as a top consumer of oil and natural gas...

Virginia Mercury covered challenges faced by the Virginia Clean Economy Act quoting Virginia AEE's Harry Godfrey who refutes incomplete (and inaccurate) cost analysis by the SCC. Read excerpts below and the entire Virginia Mercury piece here. 

The Virginia Clean Economy Act, the Democrats’ energy omnibus bill designed to achieve Gov. Ralph Northam’s goals of reducing Virginia’s carbon emissions to zero by 2050, sparked sharp questions from senators Sunday over how the costs of shifting away from carbon should be calculated...

The SCC estimates that the Clean Economy Act, which is being backed by a coalition that includes the renewable energy industry, environmental groups and Virginia’s two electric monopolies, will cause the average electric ratepayer’s bill to increase by at least $23.30 per month by 2027-2030. Annually, customers would see a roughly $280 jump in their bills. According to the SCC, the majority of that increase will come from the buildout of 5,200 megawatts of offshore wind and 16,100 megawatts of solar, both of which the legislation would declare to be in the public interest...

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.  

Environmental and clean energy business groups praise key subcommittee for advancing the Virginia Clean Economy Act

RICHMOND - Following an important subcommittee hearing, environmental and clean energy groups joined in praising members of the House of Delegates for taking bold and meaningful action to address climate change and transform Virginia’s energy economy. Last night, Delegate Rip Sullivan’s Subcommittee of the House Labor & Commerce Committee met and voted to advance HB 1526, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).

Indy Star covered Indiana Bill 1414 and its opposition by AEE, business and civil rights groups as it makes its way to the Senate. Read excerpts below and the entire Indy Star piece here. 

The controversial Indiana bill that could delay closing coal plants and raise rates for customers is still alive and on its way to the Senate. In a relatively close vote, House Bill 1414 passed out of the House, 52 to 41. In fact, the vote was tight enough that House Speaker Rep. Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, cast a "yes" vote — the speaker does not normally vote unless it will make a difference in the outcome. 

National business group calls HB 1414 “a bad deal,” as it would undermine market forces and make consumers pay more

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 3, 2020 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy reacted to Indiana’s House passage of HB1414, a bill that would require Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approval before a utility can close a coal plant and offer more money for keeping a 90-day supply of coal onsite. The vote was 52-41.

Houston Chronicle covered automakers' efforts to promote new EV options, referencing recent Super Bowl ads and the Washington Auto Show (where AEE hosted a special EV press tour) and AEE's Matt Stanberry. Read excerpts below and the entire Houston Chronicle piece here. 

With slumping global sales and fading government subsidies, the electric vehicle market might appear to be stumbling before it ever really got started. Just don’t try telling that to auto manufacturers, who are only increasing their commitment to a technology that for now occupies a small fraction of a world market dominated by gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. Witness the Super Bowl.