Reforming Virginia’s Renewable Energy Siting Process: Critical for Reliability and Affordability

Local bans and arbitrary project denials are making it harder and more expensive for Virginians to power their homes and businesses. The Commonwealth’s overall power demand is projected to double by 2035, with some regions expected to see their electricity use quadruple.

Utility-scale renewables — like solar and battery storage — are essential for meeting this demand affordably and reliably.  

But today, a patchwork of local restrictions is holding Virginia back. The result is higher energy costs for everyone and growing risks to grid reliability at the very moment that Virginia needs secure power most.

The proposed renewable siting reform would provide the unified, statewide approach needed to fix this — keeping local voices part of the process, but ending the hurdles that drive up costs and keep the grid at risk. This legislation is timely, practical and focused on what is best for consumers and the state economy.

Reliable, Homegrown Energy at a Price Virginians Can Afford

• The need for a statewide solution has never been clearer. As energy demand from households and businesses rise, failing to expand low-cost renewable energy options forces Virginia to rely on expensive imported energy — or to plan for billions in new fossil fuel plants and pipelines.

• A PJM study confirms that grid reliability during this transition depends on removing barriers to renewable energy development. If siting reform is blocked, Dominion stands ready with plans for more expensive gas power plants and pipelines that could take half a decade to build, claiming they are necessary to prevent rolling blackouts over the next six years.
• Virginians should have access to homegrown, reliable and cost-effective clean power. That is what the new siting reform delivers: more renewable energy on the grid, fewer price spikes, and more resilience against storms and market shocks..  

Economic Growth, Jobs and Energy Security

Updating the siting process is not just about powering Virginia affordably — it keeps the state positioned for strength in tomorrow’s economy. 

Clean, reliable energy attracts investment. It keeps Virginia a top choice for projects that generate good-paying jobs and new tax revenue, especially for communities  missing out on other forms of economic development. And with more power produced in Virginia, we are less dependent on energy from elsewhere, making rates more stable and protecting us from global market disruptions.

Respecting Landowners, Protecting Farms, Supporting Local Communities

Virginia has always honored the rights of individual landowners to choose the best use of their land.  This has been especially true when landowners work together to benefit all Virginians. Developing a Virginia-centered approach to siting utility-scale renewable energy projects will ensure that all landowners are treated equitably, no matter which county they call home.  

Permitting needs to strike the right balance between a locality’s objectives, a landowner’s rights and the undeniable need for cleaner energy generation. Virginia does not currently have that balance.  

Renewable energy projects help maintain family land ownership. Landowners deserve the right to profit from use of their land, and they are best equipped to determine its highest and best use. 

Five Reasons Why Virginia Must Reform Renewable Energy Siting 

• Keeping the Lights on at a Price We Can All Afford: Siting reform is necessary to expand renewable power, keep utility bills in check, and reduce the risk of blackouts as demand rises.

• Homegrown Energy, Better Reliability: With more in-state renewable electricity, Virginia strengthens its grid and keeps prices stable. 

• New Jobs and Economic Development: A fair, consistent process attracts business investment, supports good jobs, and increases local revenue. 

• Fairness for Families, Farms and Businesses: All Virginians — urban, rural, east or west — deserve the same access to affordable energy and to benefit from cleaner power.

• Common Sense for the Commonwealth: Landowners have a right to profit from land use and identify the highest and best use of their land. Renewable energy projects preserve family ownership, help farmers diversify revenue sources and enable landowners to continue profiting from their land. Creating a siting and permitting process that is Virginia-focused, ensures that landowners are treated fairly, regardless of their county. 

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