A sweeping package of energy reforms meant to usher Virginia toward renewable energy is headed to Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk, even as concerns over the cost to ratepayers linger.
State lawmakers cleared the Virginia Clean Economy Act on Friday, which requires that by 2045, all of the energy sold by the state’s electric utilities comes from renewable sources like wind and solar. The measure is Senate Bill 851.
“We are going to not only clean up our environment, but we are going to create economic opportunities for Virginians all across the state of Virginia,” said Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, who introduced the House version of the measure, House Bill 1526.
He and Senate sponsor Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, celebrated the measure’s passage along with the Northam administration, a broad coalition of environmental groups, the state’s utilities and the renewable energy industry.
The package — dubbed the “energy omnibus” for its many provisions — would expand the private solar market in Virginia, boost the state’s energy efficiency standard, and call for a study to determine the “social cost” of carbon.
“Today was a historic step forward to address climate change,” McClellan said. “This is a major, historic moment for Virginia that is going to bring new jobs and is going to break our reliance on fossil fuels.”
The measure also would make it easier for Dominion Energy to obtain regulatory approval for its massive offshore wind project planned off the coast of Virginia Beach. The project’s estimated cost nears $7.8 billion and would be paid by Dominion’s customers in Virginia.
The measure passed easily in the Senate on Friday morning, after a chaotic House showdown Thursday.
Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, introduced two amendments that would have, among other things, put a lower cap on the potential cost for Dominion’s proposed offshore wind energy project.
Rasoul’s proposal was backed by Republicans and several Democrats, some of whom believed it to be a good consumer protection measure. Meanwhile, lobbyists for the measure described it as a “poison pill” that would have put the project at risk — a boon for support in the Senate among Hampton Roads lawmakers who want it.
Rasoul, who introduced a Green New Deal bill that would have, among other things, called for a moratorium on fossil fuel-burning projects, said the Clean Economy Act is not good for ratepayers and does not go far enough on fighting climate change.
The amendments sent House leaders, lobbyists and the bill’s sponsors into a frenzy.
Right outside the chamber doors, a gaggle of agitated lobbyists pored over a vote tally. McClellan, who introduced the Senate version of the bill being heard by the House, walked over from the Senate chamber.
Outside the doors, McClellan signaled to speak to Del. Josh Cole, D-Fredericksburg, who voted in favor of Rasoul’s amendments.
After speaking with McClellan, Cole returned to the House floor and joined a half-dozen Democrats who reconsidered their votes and rejected Rasoul’s amendments.
Speaking to his change of vote on the floor, Cole said the bill left many low- and middle-income Virginians exposed to higher utility bills.
“Today, we protect our planet. Tomorrow, next session, we have to protect our ratepayers, the citizens,” Cole said. “We still have to protect everybody that is going to be affected by this.”
Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, expressed similar sentiments: “I have gotten over the years more and more concerned over the license that has been given to utilities over projects and the impact on ratepayers,” he said.
“I continue to be concerned.”
