Earlier this week, Richmond-based Dominion Energy Inc. and Evington-based bus dealer Sonny Merryman Inc. rolled out the first Jouley electric school buses as part of the Dominion Energy Electric School Bus Program.
“Once again, Virginia is leading the way in promoting electric vehicle technology and improving our environment,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement. “This innovative electric school bus program is one of many steps we are taking to make electric vehicles accessible to all Virginians, and we look forward to working with Dominion as they bring electric school buses to communities in all corners of our commonwealth.”
Through the first stage of the program, 50 electric school buses will be delivered to Virginia localities at the same price of traditional diesel buses, with Dominion Energy offset the additional cost for the buses and associated charging infrastructure. The first school systems to receive the buses will be Charles City, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Loudoun, Louisa, Middlesex, Pittsylvania and Prince William counties, as well as Alexandria, Chesapeake, Hampton, Virginia Beach and Waynesboro.
“Jouley is the most exciting development in the North American pupil transportation industry since yellow paint,” Floyd Merryman, president and CEO of Sonny Merryman, said in a statement. “Our team is thrilled to partner with Dominion Energy to bring transformative electric buses to Virginia’s public schools.”
High Point, North Carolina-based bus manufacturer Thomas Built Buses and Proterra, a Burlingame, California-based electric bus designer and manufacturer, also partnered with Dominion and Sonny Merryman on the project. Built by Thomas Built Buses, the buses are powered with Proterra batteries. Sonny Merryman is an exclusive dealer of Thomas Built Buses.
“Virginia Beach City Public Schools is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the eight electric Thomas Built Buses with the Proterra powertrain,” David Pace, Virginia Beach City Public Schools executive director of transportation and fleet services, said in a statement. “We are looking forward to a continued relationship in the future to place more electric eco-friendly school buses into service. These buses will provide the children of Virginia Beach with a greener way to get to and from school.”
Aside from the environmental benefit of using electricity over diesel fuel, the electric buses can be used as portable batteries, and when not in use, can be tapped as an energy resource through vehicle-to-grid technology. Batteries can provide stability to the grid when energy demands are high. Batteries can also serve as mobile power stations in times of power outages or emergencies.
“From the environmental benefits of cleaner air, to the cost savings for school districts, to making our electric grid stronger through energy storage technology, this program is a win-win-win for the customers and communities we serve,” Dan Weekley, Dominion Energy vice president of innovation policy and development, said in a statement.
With state approval, Phase 2 of the program would deploy at least 1,000 additional electric school buses by 2025 — with the goal of Phase 3 to have 50% of all diesel bus replacements in Dominion Energy’s footprint to be electric by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
Danville Utilities, in partnership with Edison, New Jersey-based CS Energy LLC, Hingham, Massachusetts-based Navisun LLC and Denver-based TurningPoint Energy, announced Tuesday it has completed a 14-megawatt utility-scale solar project in Danville — the city’s largest solar development to date.
The 100-acre project, which began construction in December 2019, is estimated to generate 23,551 megawatt hours each year for the Danville and Pittsylvania County communities — enough power for 1,500 homes each year. This comprises approximately 4% of Danville Utilities’ yearly energy output.
The new solar project is located next to other solar project sites at Irish Road and Whitmell. The Irish Road project will provide power directly to Danville Utilities and reach approximately 42,000 customer locations.
“Danville Utilities ratepayers will benefit long-term due to the new Whitmell and Irish Road solar projects being completed recently,” Jason Grey, the city’s director of utilities, said in a statement. “The solar farms will help reduce the city’s exposure to increasing transmission and capacity charges. These solar farms will also contribute to the city’s current renewable power supply portfolio and help us meet our long-term goal of being completely independent of fossil-fueled generation.”
Solar independent power producer Navisun financed and owns the Irish Road solar plant, while CS Energy designs and builds solar, storage and emerging energy industry projects. It provided engineering, procurement and construction services for the new Danville solar project. TurningPoint Energy also developed the Irish Road project.
“We are proud of our successful ongoing partnerships with Navisun and TurningPoint Energy,” CS Energy Director of Business Development Chris Ichter said in a statement. “Their ability to develop, and provide long-term ownership for projects across the United States make them leaders in the industry.”
Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday announced the formation of the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance, Virginia’s first workforce training collaborative for the offshore and onshore wind energy industries.
The program will offer industry-required certifications for wind project operations and long-term maintenance. The New College Institute in Martinsville will serve as the host institution, working with Centura College and the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy. The Alliance plans to begin offering programs early next year.
“Building a strong wind energy workforce will give the commonwealth a significant competitive advantage in attracting onshore and offshore wind projects,” Northam said in a statement. “There is currently massive potential for offshore wind up and down the East Coast, and we look forward to working with our partners across Virginia and in neighboring states to grow this industry and reap the tremendous economic benefits for our communities, especially those that have been historically disadvantaged.”
The offshore wind industry could generate up to 5,200 jobs in Virginia (with a majority located in Hampton Roads), as well as an estimated $740 million in total economic activity during the next several years, according to an economic impact analysis conducted by Henrico County-based Mangum Economics and released by the Hampton Roads Alliance.
“Virginia is actively working to welcome new and expanding business in the offshore and onshore wind sector,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said in a statement. “These companies require a skilled workforce to reach their highest potential, and fortunately, because of our deep maritime roots, that workforce is here.”
Richmond-based Dominion Energy Inc. announced Wednesday that its two turbine, 12-megawatt, $300 million Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) pilot project, located 27 miles off the Virginia Beach coastline, has successfully completed reliability testing. Dominion, the first U.S. electric utility company to install an offshore wind farm, began construction on the $300 million project in June, and the turbines were installed and tested this summer.
“Clean energy jobs in construction and operations will serve as a catalyst for delivering clean, renewable energy to the commonwealth,” Josh Bennett, Dominion Energy vice president of offshore wind, said in a statement. “The formation of the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance is a critical step to developing a talented offshore wind workforce here in Virginia.”
The New College Institute partners with industry and academia to provide workforce development and training programs, and Centura College has seven Eastern Virginia education centers that offer tech training. Located in Norfolk, the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy teaches deck and engineering courses.
Virginia electric utility giants Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Inc. announced Tuesday a public-private partnership with InvestSWVA that aims to expand renewable energy storage technology and attract industry prospects in Southwest Virginia.
“With the greater proliferation of renewables, energy storage expansion will be a vital component in providing stability to our grid and support our customer’s needs,” Dominion Energy Virginia President Ed Baine said in a statement. “Dominion Energy looks forward to working with our partners to support economic development in Southwest Virginia, which has long served as Virginia’s energy corridor.”
The partnership also includes the Appalachian School of Law, Mountain Empire Community College and the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority. As Dominion Energy increases its wind power footprint the coast of Virginia Beach, the company is evaluating the potential for a pumped storage facility in Southwest Virginia — while Appalachian Power will research energy storage improvements for customers to attract new business and industry to the region.
“As a leader in renewable energy, we are excited by the opportunity and potential this presents to further diversify our energy mix,” Chris Beam, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “Last year, Appalachian produced approximately 2,400 gigawatt-hours of energy from wind and hydro power and as our investment in renewables grows, so will our need for energy storage.”
Dominion Energy is also working to increase its solar fleet and will soon begin construction on four Central Virginia energy storage projects approved by the State Corporation Commission. The company’s pumped storage facility in Southwest Virginia will compliment the Bath County Pumped Storage Station, according to Dominion.
Appalachian Power for more than 50 years has operated its Smith Mountain pumped storage facility, which holds water to harness energy as needed. The company under the Clean Energy Act has also committed to providing customers at least 600 megawatts of solar energy in Virginia by 2030. Dominion’s most recent forecast calls for approximately 16,000 megawatts of solar power in the state during the next 15 years.
Economic development firm Coalfield Strategies LLC, which leads InvestSWVA, will coordinate project efforts with both utilities.
“Virginia’s utilities are best positioned to drive the development and deployment of energy storage technology,” Coalfield Strategies Managing Partner Will Payne, InvestSWVA lead, said in a statement. “Our team is excited to work with Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy in attracting industry prospects to Southwest Virginia, and we have assembled partners that demonstrate the region’s desire to redefine itself as the energy innovation capital of the East Coast.”
Coalfield Strategies will also tap the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority and the Virginia Solar Energy Development and Energy Storage Authority for collaboration on the projects.
The Appalachian School of Law will provide educational and legal expertise in energy storage incentives for the partnership and Mountain Empire Community College will help to address workforce development considerations.
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee and is part of American Electric Power, a Fortune 500 electric utility that employs 17,400 people and serves nearly 5.4 million customers.
Dominion Energy is a Fortune 500 utility with 16,100 employees and more than 7 million customers in 18 states.
In October, Blue takes over as Dominion’s president and CEO, though he’ll still answer to his predecessor, Thomas Farrell II, who’s taking on the title of executive chair.
Blue joined Dominion in 2005, serving in various leadership roles, including, most recently, as executive vice president and co-chief operating officer. He also served as president of Dominion Energy Virginia, with 2.6 million customer accounts. He has led Dominion’s efforts to build the nation’s largest offshore wind farm 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, as well as Dominion’s investments in solar energy and its partnership with Smithfield Foods to convert methane from hog waste into natural gas. Blue was also president and CEO of Dominion’s power delivery business unit until 2017.
A graduate of the University of Virginia and Yale Law School, Blue holds a master’s degree in business administration from U.Va.’s Darden School of Business. He sits on U.Va.’s board of visitors and is also a trustee for the Virginia Health Care Foundation. From 2002 to 2005, he served as counselor and director of policy for Gov. Mark Warner.
THOMAS F. FARRELL II
Farrell. Portrait courtesy Mark Mitchell
EXECUTIVE CHAIR, DOMINION ENERGY INC., RICHMOND
One of the most prominent business leaders in Virginia, Farrell has led the Fortune 500 power and energy company since 2006 and is also one of the highest-paid executives in his industry, making about $15 million annually. Under his leadership, Dominion, with more than $13 billion in annual revenues, has tripled its philanthropic giving and come close to doubling its earnings per share.
July was an eventful month for the utility, with Farrell announcing he was passing his responsibilities as president and CEO to Robert Blue. Dominion also completed construction on the first offshore wind farm in federal waters, part of an effort to meet a state mandate to generate 100% of Virginia’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2045. And Dominion walked away from its plans to build the controversial $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline and sold its natural gas transmission and storage assets in a $9.7 billion deal, with Farrell saying Dominion was narrowing its focus to its utilities business.
Earlier this summer, Dominion made $40 million in commitments towards racial equity, including supporting social justice nonprofits and historically black colleges and universities.
Farrell chairs the board of directors for the state-funded GO Virginia economic development initiative. He’s also chairman of the board of directors for Henrico County-based Fortune 500 tobacco manufacturer Altria Group Inc.
Gluski
ANDRÉS R. GLUSKI
PRESIDENT AND CEO, AES CORP., ARLINGTON
When Gluski took the reins of the Fortune 500 global power company in 2011, 60% of its power generation operations were fueled by coal. But Gluski began an aggressive push toward producing more sustainable and greener energy in the 14 countries AES serves.
Gluski has reduced AES’s coal generating power to 30%, and by 2022, he expects to have halved the company’s carbon footprint from its 2016 levels. Simultaneously, he has increased the company’s credit rating, initiated a quarterly dividend, which has grown at an 8% annual rate, and overseen more than 5,000 megawatts of new power generation, while vastly expanding the company’s use of battery storage capacity, wind and solar energy.
“The basic want-to-do-good DNA of this company made this easier,” Gluski told Forbes magazine in December 2019.
Raised in Venezuela, where he was director general of public finance for the Ministry of Finance, Gluski earned his master’s and doctorate in economics from the University of Virginia. He serves as chairman for the Council of the Americas’ board of directors.
Kibler
JIM KIBLER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN COMPANY GAS; PRESIDENT*, VIRGINIA NATURAL GAS INC., VIRGINIA BEACH
Kibler oversees the delivery of natural gas to almost 300,000 customers in southeastern Virginia, a customer base that continues to swell.
Lately, Virginia Natural Gas has been working to gain approval from the State Corporation Commission for its controversial $346 million Header Improvement Project, which would connect pipeline infrastructure in Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads. It has until Dec. 31 to fulfill a raft of SCC requirements. Though it’s been met with opposition from landowners and environmentalists, Virginia Natural Gas says the project will upgrade the state’s natural gas infrastructure and provide a reliable method for meeting the region’s growing energy needs.
The civic-minded Kibler serves on the boards of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Mead Endowment at the University of Virginia. He also sits on the GO Virginia Region 5 Council and is vice rector of the board of visitors at Radford University.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Kibler holds a law degree, with honors, from the University of Richmond.
*Editor’s Note:Kibler announced his retirement after the Virginia 500 went to press. As of Sept. 4, former Virginia Natural Gas President Robert Duvall will take his place as president.
Leopold
DIANE LEOPOLD
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, DOMINION ENERGY INC., RICHMOND
Leopold landed her first job in the energy industry as a power plant engineer because she was willing to climb 500-foot smokestacks. Her career since has reached even loftier heights.
In October, Leopold will become the company’s sole chief operating officer, responsible for all the company’s operating segments. She previously served as executive vice president and co-COO, overseeing Dominion Energy South Carolina (with 1.1 million customers) and the company’s gas distribution segment. She’s also responsible for its gas transmission and storage division, which is being sold to a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary by the end of 2020.
A graduate of the University of Sussex in England, she holds a master’s degree in engineering from George Washington University and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Leopold joined Dominion in 1995, holding a number of executive roles. She is chair of the American Gas Association and serves on the board of trustees at Virginia Union University. She also serves on the boards of Markel Corp. and the GO Virginia Foundation.
And Leopold still isn’t afraid of reaching new heights. She has made more than 450 skydiving jumps, and, a few years ago, even rappelled down a 20-story building in downtown Richmond to raise money for the United Way. “I’ve learned to embrace the journey just as much as the reward,” she says.
As the point man for the world’s largest pork producer’s ambitious goal to lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2025, Westerbeek is tackling the problem of methane gas released by manure at the many hog farms that supply the ham and bacon for which Smithfield is famous. Methane is 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and it is responsible for as much as 40% of Smithfield’s carbon footprint.
Westerbeek has helped Smithfield engage 80% of its grain supply chain in efficient fertilizer and soil health practices, but perhaps even more crucially, he has been overseeing an aggressive effort to harness the energy of methane now being released into the atmosphere.
He is a leader in Align Renewable Natural Gas, a $500 million joint venture between Smithfield and Dominion Energy to convert methane from Smithfield’s hog farms into saleable natural gas. The enterprise is projected to remove about 105,000 metric tons of methane annually, the equivalent of taking half a million cars off the road.
A North Carolina State University graduate, Westerbeek began working for Smithfield in 1993 as an environmental technician. He was most recently vice president for environment, engineering and support services for Smithfield’s hog production division in North Carolina.
Virginia small businesses and residential customers can receive additional support to pay their energy bills through Richmond-based Dominion Energy Inc.’s EnergyShare program, the company announced Thursday.
Small businesses, nonprofit organizations and houses of worship can receive up to $1,000 to go toward unpaid Dominion Energy Virginia electric bills that have accrued during the pandemic. Due to coronavirus impacts, the utility committed an additional $1 million to its $13 million annual program to help customers in need of bill assistance. Of the funds Dominion Energy committed on Thursday, $500,000 will go toward business needs while the other half is reserved for residential customers. Small businesses will be able to apply beginning Sept. 1.
“While small businesses are focused on resuming their operations, bringing back their workforce and prioritizing the health and safety of their customers and employees, the EnergyShare Small Business Relief Program lends a hand to those at the heart of our economy,” Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry DuVal said in a statement. “The landscape continues to change due to the ongoing pandemic and many small businesses are in vital need of additional support. That is why the Virginia Chamber Foundation is proud to partner with Dominion Energy on this relief program.”
Dominion is working with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation to extend the reach of the program. The foundation is establishing an advisory council will work to raise program awareness and funds will be administered through the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation. United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg will manage the distribution of funds.
Advisory council members include representatives from the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce and Virginia Asian Foundation, the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Urban League of Hampton Roads, the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Business League of Richmond.
The EnergyShare program is funded through company contributions (not covered by customer rates) and donations from employees, retirees and the public.
“For decades, EnergyShare has helped many in crisis get the financial help they need and this pandemic has made it an even more crucial resource,” Robert Blue, Dominion Energy Virginia co-chief operating officer and executive vice president, said in a statement. “If you’re having trouble paying your bill, we want you to know we’re here to help you find the best solution for your unique situation.”
Dominion Energy Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II will become executive chair effective Oct. 1. Robert M. Blue, the Richmond-based Fortune 500 energy utility’s executive vice president and co-chief operating officer, will succeed Farrell as president and CEO, the company announced Friday.
Also on Friday, Dominion announced an unaudited net loss of $1.2 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared with a net gain of $54 million for the same period in 2019. The company cited worse-than-usual weather problems and costs associated with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply Header projects, as well as net gains on nuclear decommissioning trust funds in contributing to the quarterly numbers. On July 5, Dominion and Duke Energy announced they were abandoning plans to build the $8 billion, 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
As a result of the leadership change, Diane Leopold, executive vice president and co-chief operating officer, will become Dominion’s sole chief operating officer, responsible for all the company’s operating segments. Edward H. “Ed” Baine will become president of Dominion Energy Virginia.
Farrell, who joined Dominion in 1995, became president and CEO in 2006 and chairman in 2007. He will continue to serve on Dominion’s board of directors.
“One of my goals as CEO was to build a strong leadership team and a long-term succession plan,” said Farrell. “Today’s announcement is the next step in that process. There is no established time frame for my role as executive chair, and I look forward to continuing to serve the company on behalf of our shareholders, customers and communities. I will be particularly focused on continuing to develop our strategic plan and Dominion’s leadership in the new clean energy economy.”
Blue joined Dominion in 2005 and has served in several top leadership positions, including as president of Dominion Virginia Power. Before working for Dominion, he was a counselor and director of policy for Gov. Mark Warner. He started his career as an attorney and partner at Hogan & Hartson and as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia. He serves on the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, is a board member and past chair of the Virginia Healthcare Foundation and also serves on the board for Communities in Schools of Virginia. Blue is a graduate of the University of Virginia, Yale Law School and the U.Va. Darden School of Business.
Leopold joined Dominion in 1995 and currently serves as chair of the American Gas Association. She sits on the Virginia Union University Board of Trustees and is on the board of directors of Markel Corp. and of the GO Virginia Foundation. Leopold is a graduate of the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and has a master’s degree in engineering from George Washington University. She earned her MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Baine, who in 2019 was named Dominion Energy Virginia’s senior vice president for power delivery, also joined Dominion in 1995. He started as as an associate engineer after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a member of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. He also serves on the boards of the Southeastern Electric Exchange Board of Directors, the Dominion Energy Credit Union, ChamberRVA, Venture Richmond, CJW Medical Center, the Valentine museum and MEGA Mentors.
Virginia will dedicate $34 million to electrify state government vehicle fleets and to replace all-diesel cargo handling equipment at the Port of Virginia with zero-emission all-electric equipment, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday.
“As we continue to fight this global pandemic, we are reminded daily that we must prioritize public health in every way possible,” Northam said in a statement. “Together, these projects show how we can make critical investments in the health and well-being of all Virginians while advancing our commitment to a clean energy future.”
The state will use $14 million to replace all-diesel cargo handling equipment at the Port with zero-emission all-electric equipment, and $20 million will be directed to the Clean Air Communities Program, which will electrify government transportation fleets.
The port project includes the deployment of two all-electric ship-to-shore cranes at Norfolk International Terminals. Part of the funding will also be used toward all-electric yard tractors and charging infrastructure at the Richmond Marine Terminal. The Port currently operates more than 160 diesel yard tractors.
“We are pleased to be part of the next steps in building Virginia’s clean energy economy,” John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of Virginia Port Authority, said in a statement. “These investments will help the Port of Virginia continue our efforts to reduce emissions, be good stewards of the environment, and provide world-class service to our customers.”
Nearly two-thirds of cargo at the Port is transported on trucks, and nearby communities are disproportionately impacted by diesel pollution, according to Northam’s statement. It’s expected that the Port project will eliminate more than 3,000 tons of diesel pollution, more than 71,000 tons of greenhouse gases and the use of more than 6 million gallons of diesel fuel.
The remaining $20 million will be dedicated to public electrification projects. The state will open an application process for which all state and local government entities are eligible, but priority will be given to projects located in low-income communities, communities of color and communities listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2020 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Priority List.
Funding comes from settlement payments from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, from which the state has received funding from in the past. Volkswagen, which has its North American headquarters in Herndon, agreed in 2016 to a $14.7 billion settlement over claims that the automaker had installed software in diesel engine vehicles to disable emission controls. Claimants say this ultimately reflected inaccurate fuel mileage, driving performance and released thousands of tons of nitrogen oxides.
Of the settlement money, $10 billion was used to buy back consumer vehicles, and the remaining funding was split among U.S. states and was also used toward a media campaign aimed at increasing public awareness about zero-emission vehicles.
“These are exactly the kind of transformational, innovative investments that we hoped the commonwealth could make with the funds we secured from our enforcement action against VW,” Attorney General Mark Herring, who helped lead the multistate Volkswagen investigation, said in a statement. “These projects at the Port of Virginia will further cement its position as the premier facility on the East Coast, and the transformation of government fleets will set an example for both the public and private sectors as we seek to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.”
This is Virginia’s fourth funding allocation from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) distributes Virginia’s share of the settlement.
“The projects funded through this settlement will showcase effective partnerships and innovative ideas,” DEQ Director David Paylor said in a statement. “We want to enable communities, particularly underserved communities, to implement projects that best respond to their needs.”
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Virginia is the first Southern state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a collaborative among Northeast and mid-Atlantic states intended to combat climate change and reduce power sector greenhouse gas emissions through a “cap-and-invest” program.
“As the southernmost state to join RGGI, Virginia is sending a powerful signal that our commonwealth is committed to fighting climate change and securing a clean energy future,” Northam said in a statement. “This initiative provides a unique opportunity to meet the urgency of the environmental threats facing our planet, while positioning Virginia as a center of economic activity in the transition to renewable energy.”
Despite opposition from the Republican Party, legislation passed this year in the new Democratic majority General Assembly paving the way for Virginia to join the climate-conscious group. Former House Speaker Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, Cox, a past chair and member of the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee had argued that joining the group would raise Virginians’ electric bills.
“A true fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats … is that Republicans support policies that will make sure energy stays affordable, while Democrats support policies that will lead to higher power bills,” Cox said in a September 2019 statement. “The [State Corporation Commission] has stated that this energy tax scheme known as RGGI would raise electric bills for residential customers by up to $144 per year, or a 10% increase on the average bill.”
RGGI member states agree to cap carbon dioxide emissions — and electric power producers in those states must reduce pollution to meet the cap or buy allowances through an RGGI Inc. auction.
Legislation passed during this year’s General Assembly session allows Virginia to use auction proceeds toward community flood preparedness, coastal resilience and energy efficiency programs that benefit low-income communities. The Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy will administer approximately 45% of the proceeds to flood prevention and coastal resilience programs.
“Last April, after the culmination of a significant public process, Virginia finalized a regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said David Paylor, director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, in a statement. “The thorough public input process was essential in producing the carbon regulation the commonwealth recently enacted.”
Paylor signed the Virginia Carbon Rule on June 25, allowing Virginia to join RGGI. The state will become a full-fledged member on Jan. 1, 2021.
“RGGI provides a framework for meaningful action on climate change that begins to green the energy market and ensures that prices tell the truth about costs,” Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler said in a statement. “This collaboration with regional partners will help us capture the environmental, health and economic benefits from the clean economy for all Virginians.”
This year, the General Assembly also passed the Clean Economy Act, which commits Virginia to eliminate the use of fossil fuels for generating electricity within 25 years. It sets goals to develop more solar and wind capacity, incentivizes development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, and loosens restrictions on rooftop solar and other distributed generation projects.
“Our commonwealth is ready to lead the way in ensuring that the path to reducing carbon emissions is equitable and protects the health and safety of all Virginians,” Northam said in a statement.
RGGI members now include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Despite a favorable recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Dominion Energy Inc. and Duke Energy Corp. announced Sunday that they are abandoning plans to build the controversial, long-delayed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The 600-mile, $8 billion-plus natural gas pipeline was supposed to run from West Virginia through Virginia to eastern Northern Carolina.
At the same time, Dominion also announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell off its Gas Transmission & Storage segment assets to an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway for $9.7 billion, including the assumption of $5.7 billion in existing debt. The deal includes more than 7,700 miles of natural gas storage and transmission pipelines and about 900 billion cubic feet of gas storage. Assets covered by the agreement include Dominion’s interests in Dominion Energy Transmission, Questar Pipeline (including Overthrust and White River Hub), Carolina Gas Transmission, Iroquois Gas Transmission System (50% interest), legacy gathering and processing operations, farmout acreage, as well as a 25% operating interest in the Dominion Energy Cove Point gas liquefaction facility in Maryland.
Dominion Energy Chairman, President and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II said in a statement that the company was taking the action as part of a “narrowing of focus,” repositioning Dominion strategically with a pure-play focus on its “state-regulated, sustainability-focused utilities” business.
Moving forward, Richmond-based Dominion Energy expects as much as 90% of its future operating earnings will come from its portfolio of electric and natural gas state-regulated utility companies in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Utah.
“This narrowing of focus will also allow us to increase our long-term earnings growth rate guidance by around 30%. Our rebased dividend policy better reflects our revised operating and financial strengths, aligns with our best-in-class industry peers and allows us to grow our dividend much more rapidly than before,” Farrell said. “This transaction represents another significant step in our evolution as a company, allowing us to focus even more on fulfilling utility customer needs and positioning us for a bright and increasingly sustainable future.”
Speaking about the deal in a statement, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett said, “I admire Tom Farrell for his exceptional leadership across the energy industry as well as within Dominion Energy. We are very proud to be adding such a great portfolio of natural gas assets to our already strong energy business.”
Dominion’s interest in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline was not part of the deal with Berkshire Hathaway.
In a joint statement about the pipeline decision, Dominion’s Farrell and Duke Energy Chair, President and CEO Lynn J. Good said, “We regret that we will be unable to complete the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. For almost six years we have worked diligently and invested billions of dollars to complete the project and deliver the much-needed infrastructure to our customers and communities. Throughout we have engaged extensively with and incorporated feedback from local communities, labor and industrial leaders, government and permitting agencies, environmental interests and social justice organizations. We express sincere appreciation for the tireless efforts and important contributions made by all who were involved in this essential project. This announcement reflects the increasing legal uncertainty that overhangs large-scale energy and industrial infrastructure development in the United States. Until these issues are resolved, the ability to satisfy the country’s energy needs will be significantly challenged.”
In a news release Sunday, Dominion Energy and Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy cited recent federal court rulings on the Keystone XL pipeline construction on Montana, which are likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, as adding increased litigation risks and “an unacceptable layer of uncertainty and [additional] anticipated delays” for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project, which had already ballooned in estimated costs from around $4.5 to $5 billion to more than $8 billion.
Announced in 2014 and originally planned to begin transporting natural gas by late 2019, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline was delayed by legal proceedings and opposition from environmental groups and landowners in the pathway of the pipeline’s construction route. On June 15, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a ruling that would have allowed the pipeline to cross under the Appalachian Trail, hailed by Dominion and Duke as a major victory toward completing the pipeline, which was identified by the Trump administration as a priority infrastructure project. Before announcing the project’s cancellation, Dominion and Duke had hoped to put the pipeline into operation by 2022.
Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry DuVal issued a statement saying that the loss of the pipeline “detrimentally impacts the commonwealth’s access to affordable, reliable energy … [and] demonstrates the significant regulatory burdens businesses must deal with in order to operate.” The project’s cancellation is a significant economic development loss for Virginia, DuVal said, as it was projected to generate 8,800 jobs and result in $1.4 billion in economic activity during construction, as well as supporting more than 1,300 permanent jobs and $10.4 million in local tax revenue in the pipeline’s three-state region.
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The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
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The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
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The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
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