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HAPPY FRIDAY
September 20, 2024
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Welcome to Energy Right’s weekly roundup! This week our team went to half a dozen different counties
on our mission for Clean Energy the Right Way.
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CLEAN ENERGY WEEK KICKS OFF IN THE COMMONWEALTH
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Energy Right Team, left to right: Dylan Taylor, Blake Cox, Skyler Zunk, Chloe Hodges
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The Energy Right Team is kicking off National Clean Energy Week a couple days early with Governor Youngkin’s declaration to recognize this coming week as Reliable, Affordable, and Clean Energy Week in the Commonwealth! We thank Governor Youngkin for his steadfast support of clean energy in Virginia, staying true to an all-of-the-above strategy.
Next week will mark the second year in a row that Governor Youngkin has proclaimed September 23-27 as Clean Energy Week in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In that address he stated, “Virginia faces an opportunity and challenge to meet unprecedented growth in energy demand with increasingly clean energy sources.” Last year, Governor Youngkin was among the 37 governors and 49 municipalities that issued proclamations to recognize Clean Energy Week.
Some important excerpts of the proclamation below:
WHEREAS, across Virginia, reliable, affordable, and clean energy is powering more homes and businesses than ever before; and
WHEREAS, Virginia faces an opportunity and challenge to meet unprecedented growth in energy demand with increasingly clean energy sources; and
WHEREAS, clean energy is part of Virginia’s energy future, which includes generation from nuclear, onshore and offshore wind, solar, pumped storage, renewable natural gas, biomass, and hydrogen sources; and”
WHEREAS, Virginia is home to 5,418 megawatts of solar generation capacity as of March 2024; and
WHEREAS, Charlotte County, Virginia permitted the largest solar energy project east of the Mississippi in the 800-megawatt Randolph Solar Project; and”
WHEREAS,
Virginia must come together with an all-of-the-above energy plan to assert American energy leadership and ensure low-cost reliable energy at home; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 23-27, 2024, as RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND CLEAN ENERGY WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.”
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Early Education: Solar Panels on North Stafford High Join Virginia-Based Solar Initiatives
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This week, North Stafford High School in Stafford County, Virginia launched the largest rooftop solar array at a school system in the Commonwealth. These projects offer the benefits of long-term financial savings and educational opportunities for students. When schools launch projects like this successfully and with an informed take, they not only are able to reap the benefits down the road, but also bring awareness about clean energy initiatives to the younger generation.
As of August 2024, Virginia stands proudly among the top ten states for total solar capacity in K-12 schools, reflecting the Commonwealth’s commitment to innovation and leadership across all
sectors. North Stafford High School, along with approximately 180 other schools throughout Virginia, has joined in with others to pioneer this path. Whether it be in a large-scale installation or on the roof of local schools, solar energy projects offer significant benefits that require community oriented work from the bottom to the top, starting with community members and officials alike in order to see these projects become reality. |
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This week, our team travelled to:
Brunswick, Fluvanna, Greensville, Halifax, Roanoke, Sussex
counties as well as Roanoke City
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Fluvanna County
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This past Saturday, our team had the pleasure of participating in Fluvanna County for Fork
Union Day! We were warmly welcomed by the community and appreciated the opportunity to engage with residents and educate on common-sense clean energy practices. We look forward to continuing our engagement in the Fork Union community and beyond!
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Solar energy and the Chesapeake Bay: a balanced approach to growth and conservation
By Chloe Hodges, Energy Right
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The Chesapeake Bay has shaped Virginia’s identity from the beginning and remains a cherished resource for those who call the tidewater region home, as well as the many families and individuals who travel to it regularly. Home to over 3,600 species, the bay is one of the world’s most ecologically significant estuaries. Today, it drives Virginia’s economy, supporting seafood, recreation, and tourism.
Protecting the bay is a complex challenge—nutrient pollution being a major concern. Farming, essential to Virginia’s economy, heavily uses fertilizers and pesticides, while livestock grazing near waterways also remains an issue. Urban areas also contribute; Richmond discharges 1.9 billion gallons of stormwater and sewage into the James River annually, and although legal until 2035, illustrates the need for change in order to protect our environment and continue to enjoy the benefits of a healthy land. Preserving the bay is critical as Virginia moves toward cleaner energy solutions.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be going to Brunswick, Chesterfield, Hanover, James City County, King William, Roanoke counties and also visiting Richmond.
Have a great weekend!
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The Chesapeake City Council approved a conditional use permit for a 5-megawatt solar
facility on Long Ridge Road, expected to provide energy savings for around 1,000 homes. Half of the energy will benefit low-to-moderate income residents. The project, covering 41 acres, is part of the Virginia Shared Solar program and will operate for 35 years. While some council members raised concerns about the loss of farmland, neighbors supported the initiative as a way to balance farming and renewable energy.
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