VA Clean Economy Act

What is the Clean Economy Act?

Establishes a schedule by which Dominion Energy Virginia and American Electric Power are required to retire electric generating units located in the Commonwealth that emit carbon as a by-product of combusting fuel to generate electricity and by which they are required to construct, acquire, or enter into agreements to purchase generating capacity located in the Commonwealth using energy derived from sunlight or onshore wind.

What does that mean?

Put simply, the VCEA puts Governor Ralph Northam’s pledge to transition our electrical grid to 100% clean energy by 2050 into Virginia law.

How will this policy benefit the economy?

  • creates 13,000 jobs per year in the energy industry

  • prevents spikes in electric bills by capping how much residents can be charged

  • produces $69.7 billion in net benefits for Virginians

How will this policy benefit the environment?

  • eliminates all harmful carbon emissions by 2050

  • wipes out pollution from power plants that harms public health

  • bolsters Virginia’s coastal communities by investing in programs to combat erosion and destruction

  • expands consumer ownership through rooftop and shared solar

  • helps to protect our natural resources for future generations

What are the main pillars of the VCEA?

  1. reduce energy waste through efficiency

  2. harnessing the power of the wind and sun

  3. expanding consumer ownership through rooftop solar

  4. reducing carbon emissions over time to make Virginia free from carbon pollution by 2050

Want to learn more?

Check out the Virginia Clean Economy Act

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Environmental Justice in Virginia