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We hope you’re all having a fantastic holiday, staying safe and beating the heat—this last week our team was attending numerous community meetings including ones in Spotsylvania and Southampton.
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Domestic Energy Independence
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As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July and reflect on the lasting ideals of American freedom and independence, it’s worth asking: what powers that independence today? In a world marked by growing instability, the answer is increasingly clear: our ability to produce energy here at home is central to our national strength and freedom.
Domestic energy production, in all its forms, is a pillar of American resilience. From traditional sources like natural gas and coal to innovative technologies like solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and advanced nuclear—the path to energy independence runs through a diverse and reliable energy mix. But we are at a critical inflection point. Demand for electricity is rising sharply, especially here in Virginia. While new generation is being delayed or blocked, we can’t afford to wait for tomorrow to solve the problems of today. If we are too judgmental on what we allow to grow in terms of energy sources, we’re taking one step forward and two steps back. Our failure to build and modernize at the pace of demand growth is putting the very foundation of our energy security, and by extension, our national security, at risk.
So, what can we do? What must we do? First, we need to look realistically and urgently at the resources in front of us. America needs to protect existing resources and bring on new energy capacity now, not ten years from now. While dispatchable resources like natural gas and nuclear will remain vital, their long development timelines for new generators mean they cannot be our only solution. In contrast, renewables like solar and wind, especially when paired with battery storage, offer deployment timelines and cost profiles that make them a critical part of the near-term answer.
No one disputes that a balanced, all-of-the-above strategy is essential. Our future grid must include natural gas, nuclear, hydro, hydrogen, solar, wind, and BESS. But in the face of rising demand and constrained supply, we must act with urgency to bring new electrons online, protect existing generation, and clear a path for innovation. Whether it’s next-generation nuclear or cost-effective solar, our responsibility is the same: support energy solutions that strengthen our grid, lower costs, and uphold the promise of American independence.
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Critics of rural solar projects often paint them as corporate-driven land grabs, branding them “green scams” that hollow out local communities. But that narrative collapses under scrutiny. At its core, solar development starts with landowner choice—not coercion. Virginia farmers and families are opting to lease land for reliable income that helps them avoid permanent development and preserve family legacies. This isn’t exploitation; it’s economic resilience. With thoughtful siting, counties benefit too—local tax dollars from solar go toward schools, EMS, and roads, easing pressure on other revenue sources.
And the notion that solar “destroys” farmland doesn’t hold up. Unlike commercial development, solar infrastructure is temporary and reversible. Panels can be removed, and soils restored. In the meantime, those acres can support grazing or pollinator habitats. That’s not degradation—it’s a conservation-minded pause on more intensive land use, one that leaves room for future flexibility. Rural communities aren’t trading their identity—they’re protecting it in a new form.
From construction to land management, solar also brings real jobs and real grid benefits. Locally produced solar energy helps stabilize rates and reduce our reliance on volatile fuel markets. Framing solar as an outsider’s imposition misses the point entirely. These are local decisions, made by landowners for the long-term benefit of their families and neighbors. That’s not a green scam—it’s a grand slam.
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This week our team went to Amherst, Giles, King George, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Surry, and Westmoreland counties!
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Spotsylvania County, VA
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On Wednesday, June 25, the Energy Right team attended a community meeting in Spotsylvania County focused on a proposed battery energy storage system project. The event drew a strong turnout from local residents, each of whom had the opportunity to share feedback on the site plan and the overall project. We’re continuing to see more and more community engagement around these issues which is an incredibly positive sign!
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Area legislators call for revisiting Clean Economy Act as rural Virginia rejects large solar farms
– Positive News
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A Swiss startup is rethinking solar infrastructure by installing panels between train tracks, offering a low-impact way to scale clean energy without consuming new land. Sun-Ways’ pilot project in Neuchâtel has drawn international attention for its efficient, rail-based solar deployment model, using a machine that can lay 150 panels per hour.
If adopted across Switzerland’s 5,000km rail network, this system could power up to 30,000 homes. With a three-year testing period now underway, the innovation presents a promising solution for countries balancing solar expansion with land conservation and community concerns.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be traveling to Brunswick, Carroll, Henrico, King William, Lunenburg, and Sussex counties!
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Some Virginia legislators, including leading Democrats who helped pass the 2020 Clean Economy Act, are now calling for a reassessment. With demand outpacing supply—driven largely by data center growth—rural communities say they’re being pressured to host solar farms while urban areas reap the benefits. The issue is exposing fractures over land use, local control, and grid reliability.
Resistance is mounting in counties like Isle of Wight and Surry, where officials are capping solar development and rejecting centralized mandates. Critics argue the current policy pushes rural regions to sacrifice farmland without guaranteed benefits. Calls are growing for a more balanced approach—one that includes nuclear, natural gas, and fairer siting of renewables.
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