In Virginia, one of the largest opportunities to expand energy efficiency is through utility-sponsored programs. The Virginia Clean Economy Act of 2020 (VCEA) will pave the way for a carbon-free Virginia by 2045, ensuring investments in energy efficiency, solar, wind, and more. The law mandates 5% energy savings from Dominion Energy and 2% from Appalachian Power Company by 2025, marking Virginia as just the second state in the Southeast to establish a mandatory stand-alone Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS). The VCEA builds upon the Grid Transportation and Security Act of 2018 and presents a huge opportunity to transform our industry in Virginia by fostering economic growth and improving the lives of all Virginians.

Virginia became the first southern state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2020. RGGI proceeds will provide the Commonwealth with $50M each year for low-income energy efficiency programs. The VAEEC served as an advisory group member for the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE) Program. The program uses the RGGI proceeds to reduce energy bills for low-income Virginians through residential energy efficiency upgrades. More information can be found on our RGGI webpage.

Click below to view VAEEC’s official comments, testimony, and letters that have helped shape Virginia’s utility programs over the last several years.

2024

• Letter co-signed by the VAEEC supporting specific qualities we think are important for new SCC Commissioners to possess
• Utilities could submit goal recommendations for their 2026-2028 Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) through 6/12; public comments are due by 9/16. A request for a formal hearing is in progress with an anticipated date of 8/12.
• The VAEEC participated in Dominion Energy’s Demand Side Management (DSM) hearing. View the VAEEC’s direct testimony (March 2024) and the Hearing Examiner’s recommendations (June 2024).
• The final order in Appalachian Power Company’s DSM case was released (July 2024)

2023

Support of 2023 Utility Programs

• The VAEEC participated in Dominion Energy’s Demand Side Management (DSM) hearing on May 17th. View the VAEEC’s direct testimony (March 2023) in this case.
• The Final Order for Dominion Energy’s DSM hearing was released on August 4th. Fill out this survey by November 17th, to provide input and feedback for the four DSM Final Order Recommendations.