|
|
|
Happy Friday!
March 28, 2025
|
|
|
|
We’re excited to announce the official launch of the America First Energy Podcast! VA’s Department of Energy Director Glenn Davis joins us in a discussion of the current energy landscape in the Commonwealth. You can listen in on Spotify now.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Brunswick County Moves Forward:
Energy, Infrastructure, and Community
|
 |
|
Brunswick County Meeting
|
|
Brunswick County stands at a pivotal moment, with the recent approval of 556 megawatts of utility-scale solar capacity signaling a meaningful step toward long-term economic and energy resilience. These projects are more than just clean energy assets—they represent a strategic investment in the county’s future. The tax revenue generated will support critical public services, from school funding and infrastructure improvements to broadband expansion and emergency services. Just as importantly, construction and ongoing maintenance will create new local jobs and economic opportunities for contractors, service providers, and small businesses alike. This is the kind of steady, durable growth that doesn’t just benefit one sector, it strengthens the community as a whole.
Equally as powerful is the level of public engagement these projects have received. Residents have not only attended Board of Supervisors meetings but have offered constructive feedback and voiced support for well-sited, responsibly managed solar development. Their involvement has helped shape these projects into assets that reflect local values, respecting rural character while meeting the need for progress. Developer-hosted community events and partnerships with local schools have laid the groundwork for hands-on educational opportunities, exposing students to STEM careers and clean energy technologies. These collaborations elevate the projects beyond infrastructure—they become tools for learning, innovation, and long-term workforce development.
By embracing solar, Brunswick County is positioning itself as a forward-looking player in Virginia’s energy landscape. These projects align with the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, while also demonstrating that rural communities can be at the forefront of innovation without sacrificing identity or autonomy. Strategic partnerships—such as those with the South Central Virginia Business Alliance—further reinforce Brunswick’s role in a broader regional push toward sustainable economic development. In doing so, Brunswick is not just powering homes; it’s powering a vision: one where energy, community engagement, and economic vitality go hand in hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Farms Flourish with Solar, Cities Sink Behind
|
|
|
|
|
Large-scale solar farms are growing in Virginia primarily because of state policies like the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and utility-led initiatives. Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power have been investing in expansive solar fields in rural areas, where land is cheaper and projects can achieve economies of scale. These projects provide a significant portion of the renewable energy needed to meet Virginia’s clean energy targets. But, while utility scale projects are thriving, distributed solar projects in urban areas are seeing a decline in popularity.
As of late 2023, only 11.5% of the state’s solar energy comes from something other than utility-scale solar, a decline when compared to 2020 where that same percentage was 13.5%. Distributed solar, particularly residential and commercial rooftop installations, has faced obstacles such as interconnection costs & grid constraints. New grid connection requirements implemented by Dominion Energy in 2022 have made it more expensive and time-consuming for smaller solar projects to connect to the grid. Many urban projects currently require costly infrastructure upgrades, discouraging adoption.
The question as to whether Northern Virginia—home to dense commercial and residential buildings—could compensate for solar farms in rural Virginia is currently: no, at least not with the current technology and area required for Virginia’s energy demands. Though all part of the same Commonwealth, there are clear lifestyle divides between rural Virginia and the denser urban cities. Where solar energy currently stands, it is best utilized in the large open areas. However, Northern Virginia and other dense city areas adopting forms of solar that can work for them is a sign of good faith and shows we are all working towards energy independence in an all-of-the-above fashion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This week our team went to Brunswick, Charlottesville, Henry, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg counties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Cove Ridge, Scott County
|
|
|
|
Last week, the Energy Right team had the opportunity to attend a community meeting to discuss a newly proposed project in Scott County. The meeting, held at the Cove Ridge Center at Natural Tunnel State Park, provided community members insights on the proposed project.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With rural opposition to solar growing, Sen. VanValkenburg worries about how Virginia will meet its renewable energy goals
By Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal News
|
|
State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg has become a central figure in Virginia’s ongoing debate over solar development, championing legislation that encourages both utility-scale and distributed solar projects. While his efforts to streamline approvals for large-scale solar have faced pushback from rural lawmakers and constituents, he has also advanced policies to ensure urban and suburban communities contribute to the clean energy transition. His approach reflects a broader belief that all regions—rural, suburban, and urban—must play a role in meeting Virginia’s carbon-free electricity goals under the Clean Economy Act.
VanValkenburg’s emphasis on energy pragmatism—supporting solar, nuclear, and distributed generation—stands out in a polarized policy environment. He warns that opposition to solar at the local level, often driven by aesthetics and land use concerns, threatens to undermine statewide climate commitments. As electricity demand surges due to data center growth, he argues that rejecting clean energy projects may ultimately invite more intrusive infrastructure, such as gas pipelines. His call to action is clear: without shared responsibility and political will, Virginia’s energy future—and the Clean Economy Act—may be in jeopardy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEXT WEEK
We’ll be going to Brunswick, Lunenburg, and more next week!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dominion Energy’s solar grazing program in Southside Virginia is blending clean energy with sustainable agriculture. At the 780-acre Piney Creek and 1,500-acre Maplewood solar facilities, local farmers use sheep to manage vegetation beneath solar panels—cutting maintenance costs, improving soil health, and supporting agricultural use of the land.
The program has helped farmers like Marcus Gray scale operations, with his flock growing from 25 to 1,100 sheep. Dominion plans to expand the program to 1,000 sheep by spring 2025, while exploring pollinator-friendly beekeeping initiatives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
