Northam signs energy efficiency law, Virginia first southern state with 100% clean energy standard

Governor Northam is continuing efforts to make Virginia an energy-efficient state as he signed a bill Sunday making the Commonwealth the first southern state to transition to clean energy by 2050. The governor signed the Virginia Clean Economy Act that commits to providing 100% carbon-free electricity by removing harmful carbon emissions and obtaining clean energy from renewable sources such as solar or wind generation. Northam announced he is also amending the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act that requires Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which is the first U.S. mandatory market-based program to limit carbon dioxide from power plants. The Virginia Clean Economy Act was passed as Delegate Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan Jr.’s sponsored House Bill 1526 and Senator Jennifer McClellan’s sponsored Senate Bill 851 both of which regulate electric utilities. The Act also covers Executive Order Forty-Three issued by the governor in Septemeber 2019. The order expands access to clean energy and the growth of energy-related jobs.