Virginia Advanced Energy Economy Hails 
Governor Northam’s Energy Plan

Business group calls Northam Administration’s approach for IRP reform, lifting renewable caps, using more energy efficiency and transportation electrification “smart, proactive”

RICHMOND, October 2, 2018 — Business group Virginia Advanced Energy Economy (Virginia AEE) applauded the 2018 Virginia Energy Plan released today by Governor Northam.

“The plan released by Governor Northam’s administration takes a smart, proactive approach to developing Virginia advanced energy economy,” said Harrison Godfrey, Executive Director, Virginia AEE. “It is clear the Governor understands that energy efficiency, renewables, energy storage, and electric vehicles are central to Virginia’s economy, and their importance will only grow in the years ahead. This plan will help all Virginians access these reliable, clean, and affordable resources, while growing the Commonwealth’s economy.” 

According to the latest Virginia employment figures released by Advanced Energy Economy in August, advanced energy employs nearly 100,000 people in Virginia – more than those working at all grocery stores and supermarkets combined across the state.

The 2018 Energy Plan follows a stakeholder process conducted by the Northam Administration this summer. Virginia AEE provided in-depth recommendations through that process. A number of these recommendations were incorporated into the Governor’s Plan:

• Reform of Virginia’s Integrated Resource Planning process to incorporate the benefits of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar, smart meters, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and energy storage (p. 6-7 of the 2018 Energy Plan)

• The investor owned utilities (IOUs) should establish a consistent annual renewable energy procurement processes, with a minimum of 500 megawatts (MW) per year, to ensure new renewable generation is acquired competitively and cost-effectively (p. 12)

• The General Assembly should lift the 1% cap on net-metered systems to 5% (p. 16); and raise the caps on third-party power purchase agreements (PPAs) and expand this pilot program so it is available in all service territories across the state (p. 17)

• Increase the goal of reducing energy consumption in state buildings to 20% by 2022 (p. 28) and improve the tracking and management of energy consumption in those buildings (p. 31) 

• Explore legislative, administrative, and public-private opportunities to accelerate electrification (p. 41) and evaluate opportunities for local governments to aggregate purchasing (p. 41)

Godfrey encouraged policymakers and utilities across Virginia government to move swiftly on the Governor’s proposal.

“There are a number of proposals in this plan upon which the Administration can act immediately. We urge them to do so, and look forward to working with them on implementation. The onus is not solely on the Governor, though. Legislators, regulators, and the utilities also must to take up the mantle and make this plan a reality,” said Godfrey.

About AEE and Virginia AEE
In Virginia, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) operates as Virginia Advanced Energy Economy (Virginia AEE), a group of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Virginia AEE seeks to drive the development of advanced energy to boost the state’s economy and competitiveness by working to remove policy barriers, identify market growth opportunities, encourage market-based policies, establish public and private partnerships, and serve as the voice for companies innovating in the advanced energy sector. Track industry news @AEEnet and @VA_AEE.

Media Contact
Monique Hanis, mhanis@aee.net, 202-391-0884