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In a sign of how “the times they are a changin'” in Virginia, check out this order from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) in the in the Appalachian Power Company “Integrated Resource Plan” (IRP) case. Note that the SCC directs Appalachian Power, which is heavily fossil-fuel-based, to model: 1) a “30% renewable power by 2030” plan; 2) “75% renewable power by 2040” plan; and 3) “100% renewable power by 2050” plan.” Wow, that sure seems like big news!
Also interesting: the SCC explains that, although the General Assembly makes laws, it is fully within the SCC’s purview to require Appalachian Power to at least “plan for future contingencies” by modeling these clean power targets. This certainly looks like a positive development, particularly given that Appalachian Power clearly prefers to continue relying heavily on coal and natural gas for the vast majority of its power generation capacity. It seems like those days might be rapidly nearing an end, thank goodness. 🙂
