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Virginia’s Governor McConnell removes incentives for renewable energy

Governor signs repeal of renewable energy incentives By Kathy Adams The Virginian-Pilot February 21, 2013 RICHMOND Gov. Bob McDonnell today signed legislation repealing certain financial incentives for electric utility companies that use renewable energy sources.

The change means utilities, such as Dominion Virginia Power, will no longer be eligible for a bonus for obtaining a certain portion of their energy from renewable sources, such as solar power. Reduced incentives remain for nuclear and off-shore wind power….. Opponents of the repeal, mostly environmental groups such as the Virginia Chapter Sierra Club, argued the law needed to be changed, not done away with altogether. They suggested making participation mandatory and requiring utility companies to obtain their renewable energy from within the state in order to receive the bonus. They’ve pledged to try again next legislative session. Dominion still plans to meet the renewable portfolio standard goals, even without the financial incentive from the state, and is pursing projects to that end, said spokesman Jim Norvelle.

“We believe that renewable energy has a part to play in supplying electricity to our customers,” he said. “We are looking for ways to get on-shore wind generation and we are launching a pilot program to add a large amount of solar-generated electricity to our grid that will begin this year as well.”

Also under consideration is an off-shore wind farm for Virginia Beach and an expansion of Dominon’s nuclear facility in Louisa County, Norvelle said. http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/governor-signs-repeal-renewable-energy-incentives

February 22, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general