National business group applauds House leaders on passage of HB 1526 that puts Commonwealth on path for 100% clean energy by 2050, saves customers money, and creates tens of thousands of jobs

RICHMOND, Feb. 11, 2020 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy applauded Virginia House leaders for passing HB 1526, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), a bill that puts Commonwealth on a historic path for 100% clean energy by 2050 while saving customers money, and creating tens of thousands of jobs. The vote was 52-47.  

“AEE and its member companies, which employ more than 100,000 Virginians across the Commonwealth, applaud House delegates for passing this landmark bill," said Harry Godfrey, Executive Director, Virginia Advanced Energy Economy. “We look forward to the Senate taking action as well so all stakeholders can get to work transforming Virginia into a leading state for clean energy."

"We appreciate the persistent leadership of Delegate Rip Sullivan, lead patron of the bill, as well as Chief Co-Patrons Delegates Alfonso Lopez, Jennifer Carroll Foy, Lamont Bagby, and Dan Helmer for this remarkable success," said Godfrey.

The bill, HB 1526 that passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee on Thurs., would establish a structure  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 power plant emissions in Virginia by 2050, require major investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources throughout the Commonwealth, and unlock the market for rooftop solar.  

A broad coalition of environmental groups, clean energy organizations, social justice, and businesses support the VCEA that was first introduced Dec. 19 by Senator Jennifer McClellan, Del. Rip Sullivan, Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, and Del. Alfonso Lopez.

The Virginia Senate is expected to vote on companion bill HB 851* today, to meet Virginia's Feb. 11 "crossover day," the deadline for bill action in 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.