RICHMOND — The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, a broad coalition and voice for the Commonwealth’s energy efficiency industry, enthusiastically endorses Gov. Ralph Northam’s appointment to the State Corporation Commission, Angela Navarro.
“The governor’s announcement today is welcome news for the energy efficiency industry in Virginia,” said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC).
Navarro helped create the Virginia Clean Economy Act, passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. “As one of the authors of this transformative legislation, having Ms. Navarro overseeing its successful implementation will be crucial in the coming years,” Harnish noted.
“The VAEEC typically doesn’t weigh in on Commissioner appointments,” Harnish said, “but given Ms. Navarro’s extensive history in promoting effective energy efficiency policy in the Commonwealth, we anticipate her bringing that same frame of mind to this new role.”
Northam made his announcement during a 2 p.m. press conference today. Angela Navarro is a former Virginia deputy secretary of commerce and trade. She would fill a seat left vacant by SCC Chairman Mark Christie, who was confirmed by the Senate earlier this week to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
About the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council
The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council is the voice for the energy efficiency industry in the Commonwealth. Founded in 2012, our broad coalition of more than 100 members includes Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, startups, local governments and state agencies. Our goal is to ensure that energy efficiency is an integral part of Virginia’s economy and clean energy future. For more information, please visit vaeec.org.
Virginia Energy Efficiency Council Joins Bill Signing Ceremony for Virginia Clean Economy Act
For Immediate Release: Aug. 17, 2020
RICHMOND — The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council stands with Gov. Ralph Northam today as he signs the Virginia Clean Economy Act into law.
“The passage of this legislation is a massive step for the advancement of energy efficiency in the Commonwealth,” said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC). “Today’s bill signing represents the culmination of collaborative work to advance Virginia’s clean energy future, which will have a significant positive effect on job creation in our sector.”
The Virginia Clean Economy Act is transformative legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. It will boost the economy, transform the energy efficiency industry, reduce electric bills for families and position the Commonwealth for a clean energy future.
The legislation also paves the way for Virginia to reach a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2045. It represents an unprecedented shift in energy policy and ensures investment in energy-efficient programs, policies, jobs and technology.
The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council — a broad coalition of business, government and nonprofit voices across the state — spent hundreds of hours working alongside lawmakers, environmental advocates and business groups to advocate for the passage of this legislation.
For Immediate Release: May 14, 2020
RICHMOND — Two green building programs are being honored by the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC) for their innovative efforts to drive energy efficiency in schools, libraries, university construction and government buildings.
The programs, led by Henrico County and the University of Virginia, received VAEEC’s fifth Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards on May 14 at the VAEEC Spring Forum.
Henrico County has built or renovated 16 government buildings and schools to LEED certification standards since 2011 and is pursuing certification of LEED Silver or higher on six current projects. These efforts have reduced energy use by approximately 30 percent. Henrico County Energy Manager Carrie Webster oversees the program.
UVA’s Delta Force Program is responsible for achieving energy efficiency and savings across the university’s nearly 18 million square feet of building space. Since 2009, UVA has invested $17.4 million in energy projects, for a savings of $28.7 million in energy costs and 180,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. The program is overseen by Jesse Warren, sustainability program manager for buildings and operations.
“Our goal with these awards is to showcase how energy efficiency can drive local economic growth, create jobs, and reduce utility bills,” said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC). “It’s encouraging to see these programs make such a positive impact on their communities.”
About the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council
The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council is the voice for the energy efficiency industry in the Commonwealth. Founded in 2012, our broad coalition of more than 100 members includes Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, startups, local governments and state agencies. Our goal is to ensure that energy efficiency is an integral part of Virginia’s economy and clean energy future. For more information, please visit vaeec.org.
The Commonwealth’s leadership is looking to make a move toward clean energy with the signing of the Virginia Clean Economy Act.
According to a release Sunday from the Governor’s Office, Northam also amended the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act, which now requires the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Northam said, “These new clean energy laws propel Virginia to leadership among the states in fighting climate change. They advance environmental justice and help create clean energy jobs. In Virginia, we are proving that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand.”
Read More (WDBJ7)
It was Wednesday, March 11, when life began to turn upside down for Lee Householder and his 42 employees at Project:Homes, a nonprofit that does energy efficiency retrofits in Virginia.
The events of that day, like the National Basketball Association suspending its season and President Trump blocking travel from Europe, made the novel coronavirus very real and led workers to a crest of worry. They wanted to know the plan. The next day, March 12, “was a very chaotic day of scrambling,” Householder said. “How are we going to react?”
The plan that came was quick and absolute. “No one’s coming to work on Monday,” he told his staff.
And no one has been back.
Read More (E+E News)
Executive Director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council Chelsea Harnish discusses the Virginia Clean Economy Act that passed in the General Assembly, and what impact will it have on the state.
Listen Here (Newsradio WRVA)
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax wants to finance upgrades to its sprawling, 1960s-era HVAC system. If all the pieces click into place, a Fairfax County church would be the first Virginia property statewide to tap into an initiative designed to quicken affordable upgrades to greener energy.
Read More (Energy News Network)
For Immediate Release: March 6, 2020
Contacts: Jason Roop, jasonroop@springstory.com | Virginia Energy Efficiency Council: Executive Director Chelsea Harnish, chelsea@vaeec.org, 804-457-8619
Virginia Energy Efficiency Council Celebrates Passage of Transformative Energy Efficiency Legislation
RICHMOND — Legislation passed by both chambers of the General Assembly today will boost the economy, transform the energy efficiency industry, reduce electric bills for families and position the Commonwealth for a clean energy future.
The landmark plan, known as the Virginia Clean Economy Act, paves the way for Virginia to reach a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2045. It represents an unprecedented shift in energy policy and ensures investment in energy-efficient programs, policies, jobs and technology.
In support of its passage, the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council — a broad coalition of business, government and nonprofit voices across the state — spent hundreds of hours working alongside lawmakers, environmental advocates and business groups.
“To say this is monumental is an understatement,” said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC). “The passage of this legislation is a massive and critical step for energy efficiency advancement in the Commonwealth. We’re thrilled with the potential impact this will have on job creation in our sector.”
There’s been a lot of hype and a lot of hand-wringing over the Clean Economy Act, the Democratic energy omnibus that outlines a path for Virginia to get to zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Read More (Virginia Mercury)
Fairfax County’s C-PACE program gives commercial building owners an avenue for obtaining private funding to support capital improvement projects intended to save energy or water, or to make their property more resilient to climate-related threats.
Managed by the county and administered by the Virginia PACE Authority, the program offers building owners access typically long-term loans so they can make substantial improvements to older buildings or add sustainable technology to new buildings at little to no upfront cost.
Read More (Fairfax Times)
