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Happy Friday!
April 4, 2025
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This week our team visited more than a few counties, attending a board meeting at Prince Edward County along our way for
Clean Energy the Right Way.
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Dominion Forecasts Rate Hike Citing Surge in Demand
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Dominion Energy is projecting a 50% increase in customer electricity bills by 2039, driven by mounting demand from various sectors and overall population growth. The utility anticipates annual increases of approximately 2.5% and says the added revenue will fund major infrastructure investments—including both renewable energy development and new natural gas production. Dominion asserts that even with these adjustments, its electricity rates will remain below the national average.
To meet Virginia’s escalating energy needs, Dominion plans to expand power generation capacity across a mix of sources, including offshore wind, solar, and natural gas—an approach in line with an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Company officials say this strategy is necessary to maintain reliability amid a wave of data center growth and electrification. Still, the proposed hikes have sparked concern from consumer advocates who argue that higher bills could unnecessarily burden ratepayers.
The rate increases must still pass review by state regulators, who will weigh Dominion’s case alongside consumer impact. In the meantime, the utility has pointed to financial assistance programs and reaffirmed its commitment to carbon-free targets under state law—though questions remain about how rising costs and energy mix decisions will shape Virginia’s long-term energy future.
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Scott & Giles Counties Reinforce With Solar
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This week, Scott and Giles Counties in Virginia approved new shared solar projects that mark a major step forward for rural energy development. Scott County greenlit two 5-megawatt projects, while Giles County approved one 5-megawatt project—each designed to deliver affordable, local energy while keeping dollars circulating within the community. Together, these projects represent more than just clean power generation—they’re part of a broader economic development strategy to revitalize communities once fueled by coal and drive long-term resilience through energy diversification.
For generations, coal was the backbone of many Western and Southwestern Virginia counties, powering homes and industries while cementing America’s role as an energy leader. Now, with shared solar and other innovative technologies, Scott and Giles Counties are embracing a new chapter—one that strengthens American energy independence by putting power production back into the hands of communities. These distributed-scale solar projects not only reduce dependence on centralized infrastructure but also position rural localities as proactive players in America’s energy transition.
Shared solar offers a promising model for rural counties seeking to balance economic opportunity with energy reliability. By harnessing underused land and directing energy revenue back into local budgets, these projects support local contractors, grow tax bases, and encourage energy self-reliance without sacrificing identity or autonomy. Scott and Giles Counties are proving that rural America can lead in energy again on its own terms.
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Scott County Meeting April 2nd, 2025
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This week our team went to Essex, Scott and Russell Counties to see what the communities’ insights were on solar.
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America First Energy Podcast
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he America First Energy Podcast is now live! Co-hosted by Skyler Zunk and Ben Wilson, tune in every other week as our guests bring us insights on energy, innovation and predictions for our energy future. Our debut episode, featuring VA Department of Energy Director Glenn Davis, can be found on Spotify, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Watch Episode 1 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RuNFDV9c63c
Or follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PY1jbaBpWBkLxyKjxEFXW?si=347146d12a8e4e83
For inquiries regarding the podcast, contact America First Energy Podcast Producer, Kayla Ventura at kayla@energyrightus.org
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Virginia ranks in top 10 states for solar energy; supplies 5,000 jobs
By Lauren Martinez, Wavy News
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Virginia is climbing the clean energy ranks, now generating 7 gigawatts of solar power—placing it 8th in the nation, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. With rising electricity demand, solar is no longer just an environmental strategy—it’s an economic and grid security imperative. SEIA President Abigail Ross Hopper emphasized that solar and storage investments have already poured billions into Virginia, with more on the way as distributed generation and resiliency become top priorities.
But federal uncertainty could slow that progress. As policies emerge in Washington, leaders warn that scaling back solar would undermine grid reliability and economic competitiveness. Hopper pointed to the importance of the Investment Tax Credit and distributed solar, noting that solar-equipped homes and businesses reduce strain on the grid and help stabilize prices for everyone. With current capacity able to power over 760,000 homes and projections showing 13.4 GW by 2029, Virginia’s solar future is a strategic pillar of long-term energy affordability and resilience.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be going to Scott County, Washington County, and more!
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Stafford County approved the Enon Road Community Solar Preserve, a 3 MW shared solar project that will power around 600 low-to-moderate-income homes. The project, part of Virginia’s Shared Solar Program, will use just 12.8 of 37 acres, leaving the rest as a conservation area. Developed by ESA, the solar farm overcame past opposition and gained community support, with supervisors citing both clean energy benefits and increased local tax value. Only two supervisors, including the district rep, voted against the project.
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