Virginia Energy Projects Face Extensive Regulation Review
Proposed renewable energy projects in Virginia can anticipate a
rigorous review by state regulators. On October 20, 2015, the
Virginia State Corporation Commission denied an application by
Dominion Virginia Power to construct and operate a 20 MW
utility-scale solar electric generating facility in Fauquier
County, near the town of Remington. The proposed project was to be
constructed on land already owned by Dominion and co-located with
an existing natural gas generation facility.
The Commission denied the application because it found that the
applicant has not satisfied Virginia's requirement that the
applicant consider and evaluate alternatives to the proposed
project, including third-party alternatives. Although Virginia law
considers certain small renewable energy projects to be in the
public interest, reliability, economic and environmental
implications must also be addressed. While the
