Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Virginia

  • Colorado Legislature sends ‘advanced transmission technology’ bill to governor

    Colorado lawmakers recently passed legislation requiring regulated utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies to improve grid efficiency, with a focus on increasing the state's ability to import/export electricity, speeding up new generation/load hookup, and reducing wildfire risk. The bill mandates utilities to include analysis of these technologies in their 10-year transmission plans, as research shows they can save customers money and free up capacity. Similar requirements are being implemented in other states like Virginia to enhance their grids. The organization released a report on October 24, likely discussing climate-related issues.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/colorado-advanced-transmission-technology-gets-bill/817545/

  • Balcony Solar Is Here, And It’s Not Just For Balconies

    Lawmakers in states like Utah, Virginia, and Maine are introducing legislation to promote the use of balcony solar panels, which plug into household outlets and reduce electricity usage from the grid. The movement has faced hurdles in the US due to utility and landlord restrictions, safety concerns, and aging housing stock, but efforts are being made to address these issues. In Maine, where electricity rates have increased by 68% over the past five years, the potential benefits of balcony solar systems are being highlighted. Non-profit organization Bright Saver is advocating for balcony solar in the US, with kits already available in California, and supermarket chain Lidl is planning to carry plug-in solar panels at its UK stores. The Biden-era federal tax credits for household renewable energy improvements are seen as a helpful incentive for investing in solar energy. Companies are establishing a presence in solar-friendly states on the East Coast, using balcony solar kits to generate clean electricity and reduce monthly utility bills.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/03/balcony-solar-is-here-and-its-not-just-for-balconies/

  • Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind begins delivering power

    The 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the largest offshore wind farm in the U.S., has begun delivering power to the grid despite delays caused by the Trump administration. With bipartisan support and additional turbines planned for installation, Virginia is poised to become a major player in offshore wind energy. The company behind the project emphasizes the importance of avoiding delays to minimize costs and maintain progress in the data center capital of the world. Despite missed deadlines, there is political momentum and stakeholder support for the project to move forward, highlighting the optimism for the project's current standing.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/coastal-virginia-offshore-wind-begins-delivering-power/815874/

  • Meet The Offshore Wind Project That Survived The Trump Chopper

    Despite political challenges under the Trump administration, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project led by Dominion Energy has continued to advance with larger, more powerful turbines. Governor Youngkin in Virginia has supported the project's progress, although a federal judge's ruling temporarily halted work on multiple wind projects. Despite delays, Dominion is on track to deliver electricity from turbines this year, demonstrating the resilience of offshore wind energy. The project has added 2.6 gigawatts to the nation's clean power profile and is exploring the potential of piggybacking wave energy converters to increase power generation and reduce costs, highlighting the promising future of marine energy as a solution for increasing renewable energy generation.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/27/meet-the-2-6-gw-offshore-wind-project-trump-tried-and-failed-to-kill/

  • Trump’s offshore wind blockade suffers a third legal blow

    A federal judge in Virginia has blocked the Interior Department's order halting construction of offshore wind projects along the Eastern Seaboard, including one off the coast of Virginia, due to lack of sufficient reasoning and emerging national security concerns. The preliminary injunction allows construction to restart while litigation continues, as delays have already led to significant costs and will impact energy delivery to the region, including military facilities and data centers. Dominion, an energy company, is challenging the pause in court, but the government is withholding classified information. This decision follows similar rulings in favor of offshore wind projects in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, highlighting the ongoing legal battles surrounding renewable energy development.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/trumps-offshore-wind-blockade-suffers-a-third-legal-blow/

  • US Misses The Offshore Wind Boat And Aquaculture, Too

    The US offshore wind industry faced setbacks under President Trump, but projects in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia are still moving forward. Chile is emerging as a leader in offshore wind energy, with collaborations with Norway and Denmark. The aquaculture industry in Chile is benefiting from clean power solutions, including offshore wind turbines and floating solar technology. These sustainable energy sources are reducing diesel consumption, lowering costs, and improving working conditions for workers in the aquaculture industry. Offshore wind and solar companies are exploring opportunities in aquaculture, with projects in Chile and China combining renewable energy with fish farming. China's Fuxi 1 offshore facility, powered by wind turbines, can farm multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and algae simultaneously. In Norway, a project is assessing the co-location of aquaculture and offshore wind turbines, with benefits including reduced risk of sea lice and oxygen deficiency for fish health. Research shows that offshore wind farms can enhance ecosystem productivity and create a more complex food web, supporting marine ecosystems. The collaboration between offshore wind stakeholders and the global aquaculture industry is highlighted, with mentions of missed opportunities in the US and new developments in Sweden.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/us-misses-the-offshore-wind-boat-and-aquaculture-too-shocker/

  • Small Agrivoltaic Project, Big Impact

    US farmers are facing challenges from tariffs, inflation, worker shortages, and climate impacts, leading to an increase in bankruptcies. A new agrivoltaic project in Virginia, led by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), aims to show how solar energy can help farmers and local communities by combining solar panels with agriculture. The Roundabout Meadows project in Aldie, Virginia, has been recognized for its innovative agrivoltaic approach, including an energy storage system to allow for continued use of solar energy after sunset. This new approach could provide a lifeline for farmers facing multiple challenges, demonstrating that solar panels and crops can coexist on a small plot of land and generate more energy than the farm currently needs.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/11/small-agrivoltaic-project-big-implications-for-the-future-of-farming/