Category: Energy
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Under RGGI Virginia Releases More CO2, Not Less
by Steve Haner Since Virginia joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) compact at the start of 2021, according to data reported by the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to provide electricity to customers in the state has grown. Despite two years of RGGI caps and taxes, total CO2 emissions…
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Breaking Virginia’s Energy Impasse
by Bill O’Keefe With the two chambers of the General Assembly politically divided, there is no hope for a bipartisan compromise on changing the Virginia Clean Economy Act. Without change, we are stuck with a radical energy policy that will enrich Dominion and leave consumers holding the bag. VCEA will stand as a monument to…
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RGGI Repeal Debate Rages on Comment Portal
by Steve Haner Virginia’s Air Pollution Control Board is continuing through the necessary steps to repeal Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional compact that imposes an allowance cost (carbon tax) on fossil fuels used in generating electricity. During 2021 and 2022, the tax collected about half a billion dollars from…
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SCC, SMR Nukes Caught in Energy Wars Deadlock
by Steve Haner What the 2023 General Assembly didn’t pass is also an important Virginia energy policy story, starting with failure on its part to fill the two open seats on the crucial State Corporation Commission. This follows its failure last year to fill one open seat on the three-judge panel. As reported yesterday, advocates…
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SCC Oversight Restored, Don’t Expect Lower Bills
by Steve Haner The final version of a regulatory revision for Dominion Energy Virginia restores State Corporation Commission authority over the utility’s profit margin and rates, a major goal for Governor Glenn Youngkin (R). It was also the highest priority in a detailed energy policy put forward by the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy.…
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RTD Promises Lower Electric Bills? Watch and See.
From this morning’s Richmond Times-Dispatch: A reduction in Dominion Energy bills is on the way after a compromise on a new approach to regulate the company made it through the General Assembly on the last day of the session…. The compromise on electric bills — in legislation that passed nearly unanimously — would bring an…
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Electric Grid Reliability at Risk by 2030, PJM Says
by James A. Bacon The regional interconnection organization PJM has identified four trends that could put the reliability of the electric grid for Virginia and a dozen other member states at risk by 2030. Dudes, that’s seven years away! According to a new study, “Energy Transition in PJM: Resource Retirements, Replacements & Risks,” the four…
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Coal in Virginia
by James C. Sherlock When we talk of coal today, which is seldom, it is usually not treated well. It is easy to forget (if some even know) that coal powered the industrial revolution, made America the richest nation in the world and fueled American war production that supported allied victories in both world wars…
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Energy Outcome Cloudy as Adjournment Looms
by Steve Haner With adjournment less than a week away, the 2023 General Assembly is a mixed bag for electricity consumers, with the Assembly seeming to release control to regulators in some areas but continuing to assert its tight control in others. Dominion Energy Virginia’s legislation to sweeten its authorized profit margin, which will not…
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Strange Bedfellows Unite Against Dominion Bill
by Steve Haner Battles over utility ratemaking can produce some “strange bedfellow” coalitions. Check out the list of advocacy organizations which have banded together to oppose Dominion Energy Virginia’s pending bill to mandate a higher profit margin. The list appeared in a full page advertisement in the Sunday Richmond Times-Dispatch and can also be found…
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Dominion’s Ads Deceive About Ratepayer Impact
by Steve Haner Dominion Energy Virginia has launched a major advertising campaign advocating legislation to increase its allowed profit margin, with ads focused on a deceptive message that the bill will actually lower costs for consumers. It will not. The print version of the campaign, which can be seen in a full page ad in…
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Youngkin Thwarts Dominion Push for Higher Profit
by Steve Haner A Virginia House of Delegates committee has rebuffed Dominion Energy Virginia’s bid to change the rules on how much profit it can earn, setting up a confrontation with the utility and its allies in the Virginia Senate. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) reportedly encouraged the delegates to take the step and sent a…
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Dominion Seeks Return of RGGI Tax to Its Bills
by Steve Haner The on again, off again, direct tax on Dominion Energy Virginia bills to pay for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) may be on again. If you feel like you are watching a shell game and just cannot find the pea, that is intentional. In its sales pitch for its latest effort…
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No, Senator, Cold Kills More People Than Heat
by Steve Haner No more will Virginians have to suffer through hot summer days without the active intervention of Big Government. Virginia’s Senate Democrats are proudly advancing legislation to demand state government develop a comprehensive statewide heat emergency response plan, and then seek to impose its leadership by “coordinating” with other state agencies and local…