Virginia lawmakers commit to zero carbon emissions by 2050

The Virginia state legislature passed an amended Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits the state to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The bill now goes to Va. Gov. Ralph Northam for his signature to become law. The passage of the bill has been hailed by leading solar and wind energy associations.

“By 2030, the bill will create nearly 30,000 solar jobs in the Commonwealth and generate billions of dollars of private investment, all while prioritizing solar access for low-income communities. The bill will completely transform energy in Virginia and is a bold step into the Solar+ Decade,” Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), said. “Policies like the Virginia Clean Economy Act prioritize equity and customer choice, sparking much needed competition in states with monopoly utilities. This bill should become the new model for Southeastern states looking to stimulate local economies and make major progress on clean energy.

The state’s largest utility, Dominion Energy, announced its own goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 in February.

“Our mandate is to provide reliable and affordable energy – safely. We do that every day, all year long. But we recognize that we must also continue to be a leader in combatting climate change. Our employees have always been problem-solvers in the work we do for our customers. I am confident we can use this same mindset to help solve this challenge and leave the world a better place for future generations,” Thomas Farrell, chairman, president and chief executive officer at Dominion Energy, said. “Dominion Energy already has made important progress on emissions. This new commitment sets an even higher bar that I am confident we can – and will – reach. Net zero emissions will be good for all of our stakeholders – for our customers, communities, employees, and investors.”

Dominion has already made great strides toward achieving that goal as it has cut carbon emissions by about 50 percent since 2005 and methane emissions by nearly 25 percent since 2010.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) also applauded the passage of the bill.

“The forward-thinking and comprehensive Virginia Clean Economy Act will foster economic development across Virginia, reduce carbon emissions, and allow the Commonwealth to embrace the many advantages that clean energy technologies are already delivering to other parts of the country,” Tom Kiernan, CEO at AWEA, said. “This pro-business legislation means access to high-paying jobs in the Commonwealth and serves as a model for other states to follow on the path to a safer, more resilient, and more reliable energy future.”
The legislation includes a 5.2-gigawatt offshore wind target, one of the largest state commitments to offshore wind to date.