HAPPY FRIDAY
November 8, 2024
Welcome to Energy Right’s weekly roundup! This week our team visited several counties around the Commonwealth on our mission for
Clean Energy the Right Way.
Finding Common Ground: Solar Energy and Local Control
At Energy Right, we’re committed to clean energy education in pursuit of clean energy the right way. The Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition’s (MAREC) push to address local barriers is a necessary move as more and more localities look past landowner rights in favor of blanket bans. While we support this growth, we also believe local control over land use is key. Local governments should help guide solar projects to ensure they fit well within communities, without blocking projects that meet both energy and economic needs.
Solar energy is pivotal for Virginia’s future, but there’s no doubt that large-scale solar has met substantial resistance—33 projects were rejected across the state in the last 18 months alone. With growing energy demands, we urge localities to embrace solar development while collaborating with developers to address community concerns. A balanced approach can enable solar to coexist with agricultural practices, preserving farmland while integrating dual-use solutions like grazing or pollinator-friendly vegetation. This model allows solar projects to serve clean energy goals and local economies alike, helping communities thrive in the renewable transition.
Just as MAREC advocates for streamlined permitting, we believe local governments must remain involved in this process. Landowners should have the opportunity to utilize their property in ways that support both personal and community interests. Working together, local officials and developers can craft solutions that honor the rural character of Virginia while meeting energy and economic needs. By striking this balance, we can create a future where solar energy supports sustainable growth without compromising the unique qualities of Virginia’s communities.
WHAT WE’RE THINKING
Giles County Steps Forward with New Ordinances
This week, Giles County leadership took a meaningful step toward responsible solar growth with a carefully crafted solar ordinance. This ordinance strikes a thoughtful balance, promoting sustainable solar investment while safeguarding the interests of Giles County’s community, landowners, and landscape. By establishing clear guidelines and protections laid out in the ordinance, Giles County is setting the stage for solar growth that aligns with community priorities and values.
At Energy Right we’re very grateful to support Giles County’s leadership throughout the drafting process and lend our expertise. Our team collaborated with county staff and elected officials to explore how policy can mitigate developmental impacts and ensure solar projects are both beneficial and considerate of local values. This ordinance reflects Giles County’s diligent and balanced approach—a model for other Virginia localities aiming to encourage responsible solar development without compromising their communities’ unique character and priorities.
WHERE WE WENT
This week, our team travelled to:
Giles, Fluvanna, Lunenburg, and Brunswick Counties.
FROM THE ROAD
Our team enjoyed attending a South Central Virginia Business Alliance membership event at Cunningham Creek Winery in Fluvanna County! It was lovely to learn about opportunities for local businesses to grow and prosper alongside clean energy investments.
WHAT WE READ
Clean energy manufacturing takes root slowly in swing states
– Julian Spector, Canary Media
“New factories are already revitalizing parts of Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, but the benefits of this onshoring will take years to fully materialize…
Over the past several decades, the cleantech industry in the U.S. has been running on imports. The few companies that managed to make solar panels or batteries here were the exceptions that proved the rule. When those holdouts periodically asked for more trade protections, the bulk of the industry shouted them down, to maintain access to cheaper equipment.
The Inflation Reduction Act changed that…”
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