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Elections have consequences: Virginia Clean Economy edition

March 6th, 2020 · No Comments

The Virginia legislature just passed the Clean Economy Act. The Virginia CEA (VCEA):

  • Mandates 100% clean electricity by 2045
    • the first mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in Commonwealth history
    • Will shut down must coal powered plants no later than 2030 and all fossil-fuel (including fossil gas) electricity no later than 2045
  • Implicitly requires the use of social cost of carbon by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for future regulatory decisions
  • Has real energy efficiency targets (in one of the least-energy efficiency states in the Union)
    • Has viable environmental justice elements, notably a meaningful allocation of energy efficiency resources for lower-income households

Hats off to those who have been fighting long and hard to get this bill written, negotiated and passed.

This is a huge change in a state that has been essentially ruled by the primary regulated utility, Dominion (which is now ‘just’ a very (if the most) powerful player on the table), who has concentrated, with laser-like focus, on profitability before efficiency, addressing climate change, and otherwise serving the public interest.

And, to be clear, this was made possible due to #BlueWaveVA2019 and Virginia Democrats having the trifecta: majorities in the House and Senate along with Governorship.  Elections have consequences.

Now, let’s be clear, the VCEA is far from perfect and far from comprehensive. It has many clauses favorable to polluters; could be more aggressive in timing; and does not cover the entire economy (just the electricity sector). It is an epitome of ‘progress — not perfection’. As Lowell Feld put it at Blue Virginia,

let me just emphasize that passing VCEA has to be only the start, NOT the end, of Virginia’s efforts at transitioning to a 100% clean energy economy and doing our part to fight the climate crisis. Thus, while VCEA addresses the power sector, it’s still not aggressive enough. Nor is it comprehensive enough, as it doesn’t really address the transportation sector, building sector, etc, etc. In other words, this is a great start, but there’s a LOT more work left to do. And let’s not forget that.

Today is a day to celebrate progress.

Tomorrow, we turn from celebration to figuring how to leverage this achievement for more progress in the days, months, and years to come.

To be clear, Virginia Democrats are making progress in many, many arenas

The 2020 legislative session might just be the busiest (most bills) and most significant legislative session in the Commonwealth’s history. The bill count is huge and there has been legislative action on a broad swath of issues that will impact people’s lives in quite tangible ways. This isn’t ‘just’ about energy. Amid the 1000s of pieces of legislation considered and 100s passed already, a moment to appreciate just one:

And, for just a taste (from weeks ago) of what Virginia’s elected Democrats are working on and getting done:

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Tags: Energy