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ICYM: Virginia is becoming a leader in clean energy

By Ava Edwards

January 23, 2025

Clean energy is taking over the commonwealth. Here’s what you need to know about Virginia’s newest renewable energy news.

Despite Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s comments against the Virginia Clean Economy Act, a longstanding green energy initiative, in his recent State of the Commonwealth address,the program is flourishing.

The green energy initiative works to eliminate carbon emissions and invests in clean energy technologies, while creating thousands of jobs and making our power cheaper.

Two new emissions-free energy sources were in the news recently, striving to make Virginia more energy efficient.

Bill in favor of the offshore wind industry

Virginia’s General Assembly kicked off recently, and one of the bills on the docket works to expand the offshore wind industry.

House Bill 1616 would include a new workforce program, higher education implementation, and more funding for wind power programs like the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. 

The world’s first fusion power plant in Chesterfield 

Virginia is becoming a leader in renewable energy development, as Chesterfield is opening the first-ever fusion power plant.

Fusion power is a renewable energy source that mimics the energy process used by stars (including our sun). As a result, the source creates powerful and clean energy.

This new facility is expected to finish construction by the early 2030s and is projected to power about 150,000 Virginia homes.

  • Ava Edwards

    Ava is an up-and-coming journalist who recently graduated from William & Mary with a degree in English. She's written for news publications such as her school's newspaper, The Flat Hat, and Hampton Roads' WAVY-TV 10. As a lifelong Virginia resident, she looks forward to informing her community on the latest information and events.

CATEGORIES: CLIMATE

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