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Happy Friday!
February 21, 2025
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This week our team engaged with several counties and continued talks at the Conservative Energy Caucus despite the inclement weather, traveling from Richmond to Roanoke on our mission for
Clean Energy the Right Way.
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PJM’s Energy Bottleneck: Can the Grid Keep Up with Demand?
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PJM Interconnection, the grid operator serving 65 million people from the mid-Atlantic coast through to the Great Lakes, faces mounting pressure to expand its energy capacity as demand surges. While 97% of PJM’s project queue consists of renewable energy, bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies have left clean energy projects waiting in limbo. Experts argue that streamlining the interconnection process could help unlock renewables more efficiently, alleviating the grid’s growing constraints without the need for new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Studies have shown that utility-scale solar, wind, and storage can be deployed faster and more affordably than new gas plants, reducing overall system costs while enhancing reliability. For the mid-Atlantic coastline and communities through the Great Lakes, a stronger grid seems most achievable by an all-of-the-above approach, something we in Virginia have been championing for some time now. By not showing biased favoritism of one type of energy source, the region as a whole may develop itself more quickly.
With energy demand soaring, particularly in Virginia and surrounding states, ensuring fair review and access for all energy types is critical for long-term grid stability. Instead of doubling down on outdated strategies, PJM must embrace an efficient, market-driven energy transition. Doing so would not only meet growing demand but also support a more resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable energy future for the region.
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From Education to Energy Policy, Nuclear Support Gains Traction in Virginia
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Energy Right hosted the 4th week of its Conservative Energy Caucus on February 13th at the Virginia General Assembly Building. The topic at hand was nuclear energy and the emerging development of SMRs, nuclear fusion, and a revitalized workforce alongside an education program for nuclear energy. With the attendance of multiple state legislators such as Delegate Tony Wilt, Delegate Carrie Coyner, and Delegate Mark Earley Jr, as well as clean energy organizations such as Advanced Energy United, it was one of our most successful meetings to date.
Our first guest speaker, April Wade from the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium, emphasized workforce programs and educational opportunities at state colleges for careers in nuclear energy. Discussions aimed to shift public perception positively, increase engagement, and promote transparency regarding nuclear energy. A quote that resonated with us was what her son has said to her before, “You have a boring role in the coolest job possible.” She emphasized that this shows there is a newfound passion for nuclear energy in younger generations, something that she hasn’t seen in a long time.
Sarah Marshall from Dominion Energy was our 2nd guest speaker, and she highlighted Dominion’s ongoing projects, including work with Lake Anna and Surry Nuclear power stations and the potential impact of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). She also discussed the Chesterfield Nuclear Fusion Plant (ARC), which is set to be the world’s first grid-scale commercial nuclear fusion power plant. Located at the James River Industrial Park, ARC will generate 400 megawatts of electricity (enough for roughly 200,000 homes) and create hundreds of jobs, marking a milestone in clean energy production.
Additionally, both April and Sarah emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat misinformation about nuclear energy through public outreach and grassroots initiatives. These initiatives include demonstrations, facility tours, educational programs, and reimagining the role of atomic energy in a post-atomic American industry.
Meetings like this foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders and promote an all-of-the-above energy strategy. By uniting state legislators, industry leaders, and clean energy organizations, meaningful policies can be discussed and positive legislation can be passed, positioning Virginia as a leader in the clean energy sector.
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Conceptual design by Commonwealth Fusion Systems
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This week, our team went to Brunswick, Giles, Louisa, and Charlotte counties.
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This week, the Energy Right team was present to listen into a planning commission work session meeting in Roanoke County where commissioners discussed future goals for zoning updates and revisions.
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Solar generation grew by 30% in 2024, says IEA
By Patrick Jowett, PV Magazine
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The IEA’s Electricity 2025 report projects that solar will account for half of global electricity demand growth through 2027, fueled by cost reductions and supportive policies. In 2024, solar generation grew by 30%—its highest rate since 2017—surpassing coal in the EU and surpassing 2,000 TWh globally. By 2027, solar is expected to exceed 10% of the electricity mix in China, the U.S., and India, solidifying its role as the world’s second-largest low-emissions energy source behind hydropower.
As renewables surpass coal-fired generation for the first time in a century, ensuring grid resilience becomes critical. The report shows the need for long-duration energy storage and dispatchable power to manage intermittency and extreme weather events. While challenges remain, the rapid adoption of solar represents a major shift in global energy, highlighting the need for policies that integrate clean energy expansion with grid modernization and flexibility—ensuring reliability.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be going to Brunswick, Chesterfield, Franklin, and Washington counties.
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“A new analysis shows that a clear majority of people submitting comments on a planned central Ohio solar farm support the project — a stark contrast with how opponents have portrayed public sentiment.
Open Road Renewables, the developer seeking a permit to build the Grange Solar Grazing Center in Logan County, reviewed more than 2,500 comments submitted to the Ohio Power Siting Board through Feb. 11 regarding its permitting case. After accounting for repeat commenters who submitted multiple times, the company found 80% of commenters expressed support for its project.”
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