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Virginia Mercury: Clean Energy Tax Credits are Powering Hampton Roads’ Future

Posted by Jim Purekal on Jul 2, 2025

In an opinion piece for the Virginia Mercury, United's Jim Purekal underscores the importance of federal tax credits in modernizing Hampton Roads' energy systems, lowering electricity costs for residents, and bolstering energy security across the region. He calls on policymakers to safeguard these incentives going forward, which are essential to developing advanced energy projects and maintaining an affordable, reliable, and secure energy future for Virginians. 

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Offshore Wind, Jim Purekal

Five Years Later, the Virginia Clean Economy Act Is Delivering, and United Is Still Leading the Way

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Jul 1, 2025

Celebrating the progress Virginia has made, and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring the full promise of the VCEA is realized in the years ahead

RICHMOND, VA – Today marks the five-year anniversary of the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), the historic legislation that set the Commonwealth on a path toward 100% clean energy. 

“The VCEA was a turning point for Virginia’s economy,” said Jim Purekal, Director at Advanced Energy United. “Five years ago, United helped rally a diverse coalition of energy innovators, business voices, and environmental advocates to support this legislation. Because everyone knew clean energy was the smartest investment the Commonwealth could make in its future. Today, we’re seeing the benefits: new jobs and new industries, all here in Virginia.”
 
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Topics: Virginia, Press Releases, Jim Purekal

Canary Media: Dominion Energy’s Latest Plan Sidesteps Virginia’s 2045 Clean Power Goal

Posted by Elizabeth Ouzts on Jul 1, 2025

Dominion Energy's recent plan to meet increased load growth ignores Virginia's 2045 mandate—established under the Virginia Clean Economy Act—to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity. United's Shawn Kelly spoke with Canary Media about the plan, noting that it limits the usage of proven, cost-effective advanced energy technologies (including wind, solar, demand response, and virtual power plants) to meet growing demand within the state.

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Shawn Kelly

Cardinal News: Five Years in, the Virginia Clean Economy Act is Paying Off

Posted by Morgan Pinnell on Jul 1, 2025

In an op-ed for Cardinal News, United's Morgan Pinnell discusses the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which has catalyzed tremendous economic and environmental benefits throughout the state. Looking ahead, she calls for renewed leadership to streamline interconnection, permitting, and efficiency efforts in order to scale up renewable deployment and keep Virginia on track toward its clean energy goals.

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Topics: State Policy, Virginia, United In The News, Morgan Pinnell

Inside Climate News: Trump’s Budget Wish Could Threaten Billions in Clean Energy Investment in Virginia

Posted by Charles Paullin on Jun 2, 2025

President Trump's proposed bill aims to dismantle key tax incentives, which have been instrumental in driving billions in private investment and creating more than 11,000 jobs in Virginia. United's Harry Godfrey spoke with Inside Climate News, stating that the rollback of these incentives would threaten to stall Virginia's progress in renewable energy development, economic growth, and job creation, undermining efforts to create a more reliable and affordable energy future.

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Topics: State Policy, Virginia, United In The News, Harrison Godfrey, Offshore Wind, Solar, Federal Priorities

Inside Climate News: Youngkin Vetoes Clean Energy Bills That Garnered Support From Dominion, Environmental Groups

Posted by Charles Paullin on May 9, 2025

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed two bipartisan clean energy bills that aimed to expand small solar projects and energy storage across the state. Inside Climate News spoke with several clean energy experts and advocates, including United's Jim Purekal, who stated that the veto was a missed opportunity to increase grid reliability, reduce costs for ratepayers, and bolster energy security across the state.

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Jim Purekal, Solar, Battery Storage

Smart Grid, Smart Move: Virginia Governor Greenlights Virtual Power Plant Pilot

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on May 2, 2025

 

The Community Energy Act (HB 2346/SB 1100) makes way for community-powered clean energy, cutting costs and boosting reliability 

RICHMOND, VA — Today, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the Community Energy Act (HB 2346/SB 1100) into law. The new law directs Dominion Energy to launch a 450-megawatt virtual power plant pilot, allowing homes and businesses to aggregate solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, and smart devices into a flexible grid resource that can reduce peak demand, lower electricity costs, and improve grid reliability. 

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Topics: Virginia, Press Releases, Jim Purekal, Virtual Power Plants

Inside Climate News: Bills Increasing Small-Scale Solar Requirements in Virginia Awaiting Action by Youngkin

Posted by Charles Paullin on Mar 21, 2025

Inside Climate News reports that Virginia Governor Youngkin is currently reviewing critical advanced energy legislation aimed at enhancing the state's commitment to renewables by diversifying energy sources beyond large-scale utility projects. With concerns about energy affordability, United's Jim Purekal argued that rising electricity costs are primarily driven by escalating fuel prices and storm recovery expenses.

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Jim Purekal, Solar

The Virginia Pilot: Column - Gov. Youngkin Can Keep the Lights on and Our Costs Down

Posted by Jim Purekal on Mar 18, 2025

In a guest column piece for The Virginia Pilot, United's Jim Purekal discusses critical advanced energy legislation that has made it to Governor Youngkin's desk for final approval. Purekal highlights the benefits of these bills to balance the state's energy needs with economic considerations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stable power supply while keeping costs low for ratepayers.

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Jim Purekal

Advanced Energy United Challenges Dominion Energy’s Long-Term Plan, Calls for Clean Energy Future

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Feb 28, 2025

The Utility’s Proposal Falls Short on Clean Energy Goals, Puts Ratepayers At Risk 

RICHMOND, VA – Today, Advanced Energy United filed the testimony of our expert witness in Dominion Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan highlighting the utility’s failure to properly include all advanced energy options in its electricity supply portfolio for the next 15 years. 

“The technology exists today to serve all of Dominion’s forecasted load with clean energy resources and Dominion’s plan as filed not only misses the goals of the Virginia General Assembly’s landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act, the utility proposal is a failure for the ratepayers of Virginia who will be locked into fossil fuel plants subject to volatile natural gas prices for years to come,” said Shawn Kelly, United’s Director of Regulatory Policy for the Eastern States. 

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Topics: Regulatory, Virginia, Press Releases, Shawn Kelly