2022 Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative Q&A

ThompsonMcMullan PC, Richmond

Title: Shareholder

Other legal specialties: In addition to energy law clients, I also have telecommunications clients.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Princeton University; master’s in arts and law degrees,
Duke University

Family: Husband, Henry Robb and son, Liam Robb, 27

Career mentors: My former colleagues Louis Monacell and Ed Petrini gave me a solid grounding in energy law. And my good friend Jim Guy showed me the value of engaging with voluntary bar associations like the Virginia Bar Association.

Most recent book read: “Life and Fate,” by Vasily Grossman

First legal job: A real estate paralegal at Ballard & Spar in Washington, D.C.

Your practice focuses in part on renewable energy, and you chair the state’s Solar Energy and Development and Energy Storage Authority. How is Virginia doing with regard to solar energy? We’re headed in the right direction. It’s exciting that in 2021, for the first time ever, solar produced more electricity than coal did in Virginia. The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service’s Virginia Solar Initiative reports that in 2021 Virginia ranked fourth in the number of solar installations in the U.S. (only California, Texas and Florida installed more), but Virginia ranked 47th for distributed solar power — such as panels installed on rooftops.

What are your thoughts on state energy policy? If the full brunt of 2021 fuel increases were absorbed this year, overall [electric] bill increases would exceed 30%. This can be masked by deferring some fuel recovery, but that exacerbates rate increases in future years when upfront capital costs for offshore wind are added. My advice is to tell your legislators to restore the State Corporation Commission’s ability to minimize rather than just mask factors that increase rates.

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