Governor Youngkin releases the 2022 Virginia Energy Plan

October 3, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2022

Media Contact: Katharine Kollins, Southeastern Wind Coalition, (303) 564-9687, katharinek@sewc.perksofbranding.com

Richmond, VA – This morning, Governor Glenn Yougkin and the Virginia Department of Energy unveiled the newest iteration of the Virginia Energy Plan, a proposal outlining the vision toward modernizing the Commonwealth’s energy system. The strategy released today highlights the need to continue building out offshore wind projects to drive economic growth while lowering energy costs for ratepayers. Given its independence from traditional fuel sources and low resource requirements post-construction, wind energy will help the Youngkin Administration lower costs of living for Virginians, create jobs, and encourage growth while establishing Virginia as a leader in industry’s supply chain.

The Southeastern Wind Coalition provided comments to inform this year’s plan and applauds the Governor’s recognition of wind energy as a powerful driver of economic development. Wind energy can promote significant private investments to critical infrastructure, sustainable job creation, and increased tax revenue, all of which will advance the Younkin Administration’s approach to growth.

“Wind energy is already part of Virginia’s energy development pipeline, and we’re thrilled to see the Governor embrace continued development,” said Katharine Kollins, President of SEWC. “While Dominion Energy’s Commercial Virginia Offshore Wind project is helping to establish the Commonwealth’s supply chain, ensuring subsequent project development will continue unlocking economic benefits for Virginians. It’s great to see the Youngkin Administration strategize around this low-cost and high-impact source of energy.”
The Virginia Clean Economy Act of 2020 established 5,600 MW of offshore wind energy development and 16,100 MW of solar or land-based wind in the public interest. The offshore wind industry is projected to bring over $109B in economic development benefits to the U.S. in the next decade.

About SEWC

The Southeastern Wind Coalition is a 501(c)3 that works to advance the land-based and offshore wind industry in the Southeast. We focus on supply chain growth, economic development, job growth, and wind energy development in the region with solutions that are beneficial to industry, utilities, and result in net economic benefits to citizens and ratepayers. For more information about the Southeastern Wind Coalition visit www.sewc.perksofbranding.com.

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