CHESTER, Va.—Governor Terry McAuliffe today signed into law several pieces of clean energy legislation passed by the 2015 General Assembly. The bills signed include legislation doubling the cap on the size of solar energy systems that Virginia businesses are allowed to install to offset their own energy usage (HB 1950/ SB 1395), and legislation creating a new Virginia Solar Development Authority (HB 2267/ SB 1099).
Clean energy advocates applauded both bills as positive steps forward, while noting they are only the beginning of what’s needed to catch Virginia up to its neighbors in developing clean power and the jobs that come with it.
Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, had the following statement in response:
“The fact that we’re celebrating Earth Day by witnessing several pieces of clean energy legislation get signed into law is proof of the growing movement in Virginia demanding solutions to climate change.
“Virginia currently has only 11 megawatts of solar installed, and that figure is embarrassingly low, especially compared to our neighbors. Virginia has as much or more solar potential than Maryland and North Carolina, yet those states have more than 200 megawatts and 950 megawatts of solar currently installed respectively thanks to much stronger state policies.
“Thanks to the leadership of key lawmakers—including Senators Dance and Stuart, and Delegates McClellan and Hugo, chief patrons of the bills signed into law today—we are beginning to take necessary steps to catch up with our neighbors in clean energy jobs and investments. We appreciate Governor McAuliffe’s signature on these bills and we look forward to passing even bolder clean energy solutions in the next legislative session.
“Hampton Roads is ground zero for climate change, as sea level rise driven by fossil fuel pollution gets progressively worse. As our citizens battle the climate crisis on a daily basis, Virginia must become a leader in advancing bold climate solutions, and an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach doesn’t cut it.”
Contact:
Dawone Robinson, 804-767-8983, dawone@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org
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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the biggest and oldest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. We’re building a powerful movement to shift our region away from climate-harming fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions.
