The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this initiative to help expand broadband access to those currently unserved. We believe that this legislation will aid in efforts to attract businesses and their employees to more rural parts of the Commonwealth and we appreciate Delegate Ayala for bringing this effort forward.

The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce supports this bill. We believe that expanding broadband is vital to a strong economic future and expanding this program would assist the Commonwealth in doing that.

I do not have any comments or take any position on these bills. I am available should there be any questions to ask the State Corporation Commission related to these bills.

The Virginia Education Association believes that technology in the educational process improves learning opportunities for students, quality of instruction, the effectiveness of education employees, and provides opportunities to reduce educational inequities. The Association supports increased federal, state, and local resources, along with public/private partnerships, to fully fund equipment purchases/leases/upgrades, maintenance, technical support, training, evaluation, and staffing to support the full use of technology in public schools, public colleges, and public universities. The VEA supports and urges the committee to move favorably on HB 1923.

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce supports this bill. We believe that expanding broadband is vital to a strong economic future and expanding this program would assist the Commonwealth in doing that.

The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) supports legislation that provides additional tools for counties to finance, build and operate open access networks in partnership with commercial internet service providers. HB 1923 provides such an additional tool by allowing public entities - such as local and regional broadband authorities - the ability to access broadband capacity in order to facilitate deployment to residents and businesses.

I strongly support bill HB1925, which will establish a Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund. Awards grants on a competitive basis to support wind, solar, or geothermal projects sited on formerly mined lands or brownfields. One provision requires that no state funds will be spent on the program unless the budget overrides, ensuring that Virginia can pursue federal funding without impacting the budget. This bill will also encourage renewable energy development on previously disturbed land rather than high-value agricultural and forest lands. Brownfields are generally 10-40% more expensive to develop than greenfields. This bill will create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. Many companies have committed to powering their operations with 100% clean energy. Programs to help make RE development more affordable in brownfield-impacted communities will help ensure these areas can attract new businesses. Also, many farmers work land they do not own. 39% of farmed land is rented and 70% of farm lease agreements are renewed annually. This creates a situation in which a tenant farmer could lose their livelihood if a landlord decides to switch to a long-term land lease to large-scale solar developers. Incentivizing solar developers to build on mined land and brownfields may help reduce the pressure to fragment economically and ecologically valuable forests and may help keep tenant farmers in business.

While HB2034 is directly for the benefit of energy consumers in SW Virginia, I strongly support it even though I live in Arlington. This Bill ensures that customers such as municipalities and public schools can enter into Power Purchase Agreements to access renewable energy. This access is already available to those of us within Dominion's territory but it needs to extend statewide. This will help lower the carbon footprint of these customers and that directly helps me. Thanks, Annette Lang, Arlington.

Please pass HB1925, referred to as the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program. Having done environmental enforcement work for my career as a lawyer in the Department of Justice, I saw firsthand what a difference it made to communities to have their brownfields moved from unproductive and unsightly eyesores to productive use. So much needs to be done in this area. The grants awarded would be on a competitive basis and would support wind, solar, or geothermal projects on formerly mined lands or brownfields. No state funds will be spent on the program unless the budget overrides. Its passage will allow VA to pursue federal funding without impacting the budget. Thanks. Annette Lang, Arlington

On behalf of our 150 conservation member organizations across the Commonwealth, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) supports HB1925. Case for support: http://www.vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HB1925-Brownfields-Act-Talking-Points.pdf

I think this is a great idea and a great opportunity to provide jobs and a new way to get tax dollars to our dying county’s. As a Solar installer I get the joy of showing people how to not only save money but give them a piece of mind that they own their own power! Solar is on the rise and more jobs are needed in the coal county’s, to see this go through would be a huge opportunity to SWVA! I would love to see them flat strip mines put to use and provide free solar energy to our communities! God bless.

I am writing in support of HB 1925, specifically for the coalfield communities of far southwestern Virginia where there has been a long history of neglect and abuse of both human and natural resources. This bill will take a step toward correcting past mistakes, but only if you agree to work together in a bipartisan manner for the good and well being of present and future generations of all Virginians. This bill would give incentives for development of solar energy on abandoned mine land, and take a critical step toward helping communities use this land in a sustainable, beneficial way. All natural processes on planet Earth are driven directly, or indirectly, by sunlight. Only 40 minutes of sunlight striking the United States generates as much energy as burning all fossil fuels combined for an entire year. Using energy from the sun, the driver of all life on Earth, is simply a no-brainer. Solar energy is not practical for all locations in complex, three-dimensional terrain, where sunlight becomes limited by surrounding topography. The exception, in most cases, being surface-mined land which typically leaves behind elevated, open areas which are well-exposed to incoming solar energy. HB 1925 would help target this land and give incentives for its reclamation and long-term use in a sustainable manner, helping coalfield communities make the vital transition to renewable energy. I ask you to please support HB 1925. Thank you.

As a Southwest VA native and an electrical engineer, I can clearly see how incentivizing companies to develop brownfield sites for alternative energy production can positively impact our regional and state economy. While I live in VA, I work in TN, as do many engineers and skilled technicians I know. Furthermore, I see many VA natives move to TN because of better job opportunities. This needs to stop - we need talent grown in VA to stay in VA - to strengthen our communities and economy. My area of VA has been greatly impacted by the world's transition away from fossil fuels. The future is in renewables, and we have the land (plenty of brownfield sites abandoned either directly or indirectly due to mine closures) and the talent to foster this area of economic growth. I humbly ask that you consider passing the bill to incentivize brownfield site development, thereby allowing Southwest VA to have the opportunity to continue to be an energy producing region with ample job opportunities. I know that I, personally, would love to be able to both live and work in the state, and region, I love. Thank you.

As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, I ask you to support this bill.

Support HB 1925: As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. The program developed by this bill would infuse reclamation and rehabilitation dollars into these communities, making communities safer and healthier. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill.

Dear Delegate, Please support HB1925. This bill establishes a Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund, and will award grants on a competitive basis to support wind, solar, or geothermal projects sited on formerly mined lands or brownfields (which are generally 10-40% more expensive to develop than greenfields). Please note that the bill includes provision that no state funds will be spent on the program unless the budget overrides; its passage will ensure that Virginia can pursue federal funding without impacting the budget. This bill will encourage RE development on previously disturbed land rather than high-value agricultural and forest lands. It will create job opportunities in SW Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. Many companies have committed to powering their operations with 100% clean energy. Programs to help make RE development more affordable in brownfield-impacted communities will help ensure these areas can attract new businesses. Also, many farmers work land they do not own. 39% of farmed land is rented and 70% of farm lease agreements are renewed annually. This creates a situation in which a tenant farmer could lose their livelihood if a landlord decides to switch to a long-term land lease to large-scale solar developers. Incentivizing solar developers to build on mined land and brownfields may help reduce the pressure to fragment economically and ecologically valuable forests and may help keep tenant farmers in business. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Kathleen Nawaz

Lewinsville Faith in Action respectfully urges the members of the Committee to support HB1925. Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program This bill will facilitate the development of wind, solar, or geothermal projects on formerly mined lands or brownfields, and allow the pursuit of federal funding to assist such projects. This is beneficial because many forward-looking companies have committed to using 100% clean energy, and programs that help make renewable energy development more affordable in brownfield-impacted communities will help those areas attract new businesses. This desirable result is less likely without this bill, since brownfields are more expensive to develop than agricultural and forest lands. HB 1925 will also help small farmers who rent their land. Incentivizing solar developers to build on mined land and brownfields may help reduce the pressure to fragment economically and ecologically valuable forests and may help keep small tenant farmers in business. HB 1925 is a creative and equitable approach toward facilitating the transition to a clean-energy economy in a way that will leave no Virginians behind, and we urge the Committee to support it.

The Piedmont Environmental Council supports HB1925. Siting solar on brownfields and previously mined lands reduces pressure on greenfield development, maximizing the benefits of solar while reducing impact to our forests and farms.

Dear Chairman Sullivan and members of the committee, I am writing in support of HB1925, patroned by Delegate Terry Kilgore, to establish the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund. Delegate Kilgore has been a great advocate for Southwest Virginia on matters related to energy, including his leadership on efforts to support new jobs and economic growth through the expansion of clean energy opportunities. Our polling research indicates that more than 70% of voters want to put more emphasis on solar energy in Virginia. Both wind and solar energy enjoy overwhelming support from voters across the political spectrum and in all regions of the Commonwealth. For years, policy makers have talked about streamlining permitting and making it easier to locate new renewable facilities on previously used coal mines and other brownfields. Delegate Kilgore’s proposal takes an important step toward this goal by helping to address the additional costs that often come with locating these facilities in unconventional areas. While the cost of renewable energy has declined and is competitive with other types of generation, the infrastructure required to locate facilities in these areas can be cost prohibitive. Importantly, this bill seeks to leverage available federal funding to operationalize the program. Virginia families and businesses are demanding more and more renewable energy, and significant land will be required to meet that growing demand. This legislation will have a meaningful impact on reducing the pressure to locate more of these facilities in areas that compete with agriculture land or even residential development. Conservatives for Clean Energy strongly supports this legislation and hopes it will be the will of the committee to report the bill. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Mark Fleming CEO, Conservatives for Clean Energy

Support HB 1925: As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. The program developed by this bill would infuse reclamation and rehabilitation dollars into these communities, making communities safer and healthier. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill. Support HB 2034: For more than three years, schools and local governments in the coalfield region including Wise, Lee, and Dickenson counties have been blocked from installing solar on seven schools and local government buildings due to utilities blocking the use of Power Purchase Agreements. These solar projects would save our local governments millions of dollars over the life of the projects. In Southwest Virginia, schools have only been able to install 22 kilowatts of solar energy, while access to PPAs in Eastern and Northern Virginia has led to over 34,000 kilowatts for solar-powered schools. It is crucial that this bill be enacted in order to help our local governments save money during these unprecedented times. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill.

The Nature Conservancy supports HB 1925. The environmental benefit of solar energy depends in part on how it is sited. Solar sited on previously-disturbed land, such as mined lands, landfills, and rooftops, brings additional value to that land. Incentivizing development of large-scale solar on mined lands and brownfields can reduce the pressure to convert valuable forests and farmland into utility-scale solar generators. Southwest Virginia, the region that is directly experiencing the economic impacts associated with the decline in fossil fuels, is not yet experiencing the economic benefits that renewable energy is providing in other regions. Over 71,000 acres of land in Southwest Virginia have been affected by coal mining. Renewable energy development is an ideal option for repurposing some of these lands. However, these sites are generally more expensive to develop, and renewable energy companies are likely to continue to avoid them unless the General Assembly creates specific incentives. The Brownfield & Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program creates a fund for grants to developers who site renewable energy on mined land and brownfields. The grants would offset some of or all the added expense of building on these lands, making these projects cost-competitive with projects built in more conventional locations. Because this fund and grant program would support the development of renewable energy on previously disturbed land, and because it would incentivize development of renewable energy in Southwest Virginia, we ask you to support HB 1925. Signed, Lena Lewis Energy and Climate Policy Manager The Nature Conservancy Virginia Chapter

I am asking for your support for HB1925 which will encourage energy development on formerly disturbed areas instead of agricultural or forested lands. It will also create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to help them share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. Brownfields are more expensive to develop than greenfields; this will provide incentive and assistance. I would love to see more solar and wind farms, but not if they are going to cut down trees or use needed farm land! It makes sense to utilize brownfields. Please provide the needed leadership to bring Virginia into a cleaner, healthier future.

I ask the both these bills pass as written. I believe they will further our progress towards a sustainable energy system in as virginia and nationally

I support the bill by Kilgore and the bill by Hurst - people and schools in Virginia deserve better access to renewable energy!

I support Del. Kilgore's bill to turn coal brownfields into BRIGHTfields, harvesting solar energy and jobs at a utility scale. Our coal mining communities need help jumpstarting this energy job transition. We need to restore the land to productive purposes and people to hope in new employment sectors. The coalfields can be powering Virginia once again. Rees Shearer

HB1925 is necessary to encourage renewable energy development on previously disturbed areas rather than on Virginia’s high-value agricultural and forest lands, and to create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. HB2034 ensures nonjurisdictional customers in SW Virginia, which includes municipalities and public schools, can enter into power purchase agreements to access renewable energy. This opportunity already exists explicitly for nonjurisdictional customers in Dominion territory, and it is important to ensure existing policy is consistent throughout the Commonwealth. This bill does NOT increase or change the caps.

HB1925 will help the people of Southwest Virginia as the region transitions from a coal-production-based to the renewable energy-based economy. HB2034 provides needed clarification that both non-jurisdictional and jurisdictional electricity customers throughout Virginia are eligible to participate in third-party power purchase arrangements.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is concerned that implementation of this legislation would hamper regional economic development efforts. The current system of regulation ensures that upgrades of aging pipeline can take place on a regional basis without being delayed by a single locality. Please oppose HB 1934.

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce urges you to opposes HB1934 (public utilities; gas pipelines prohibited in residential subdivisions). We are opposed to this legislation for several reasons, but two main reasons being: 1) It would require local government approval for installation or replacement of local gas distribution pipelines, this would include system upgrades, creating a delay in the process. 2) It would delay critical safety upgrades to aging pipelines, creating a public safety concern. The way the legislation is also written would mean that the local government authority would end up superseding the authority of state agencies.

My name is Emily Reynolds and I am the Executive Director of Government Affairs for the Hampton Roads Chamber. We are a pro-business organization serving over 1,200 members. On behalf of our members, we ask that you OPPOSE HB1934. This bill would require local government approval for the installation or replacement of local gas distribution pipelines in any residential subdivision. System upgrades are technical in nature, usually safety related, support Virginia’s Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan (SAVE) Act, reduce emissions, and often cross multiple local boundaries. Thus, regulatory authority is vested with the SCC. This bill could delay critical safety upgrades to aging pipelines thereby jeopardizing public safety. Most new pipe installation in residential areas of Virginia is done to replace existing older pipe. Many of these projects are regional in nature. Under HB1934, one locality could hold up critical safety and reliability upgrades for an entire region. It could also delay or kill important system upgrades needed for economic development projects or to service large industrial and manufacturing customers. For example, in Hampton Roads, one locality could stop a system upgrade needed to serve the military, maritime or shipbuilding industry, thereby jeopardizing the entire regional economy. HB1934 would create a system of energy regulation at the local level that localities would not have the resources or expertise to implement or manage. Every routine maintenance project would require substantial local government evaluation as the local governing body would have the final say over prior decisions by the SCC, DEQ, VDOT, and other specific regulatory bodies. The bill contains an unconstitutional provision of retroactivity. For these reasons, we ask that the body NOT report HB1934 out of committee. Thank you for your consideration!

Members of the Labor & Commerce Committee, The Loudoun Chamber, which collectively represents over 1,000 member businesses and tens of thousands of employees across Loudoun County and the region, would like to express our organization’s opposition of HB 1934. Requiring local government approval and opening the process of updating critical infrastructure to the public will delay critical safety upgrades to aging pipelines thereby jeopardizing public safety. Because most upgrades the must happen will be done in and through residential areas, excessive input and overpoliticization of essential services may will delay and put the services provided to our community at risk. Secondly, the creation of “Business Ready Sites” is an economic priority for Virginia. HB 1934 will only serve to delay important economic development projects within communities and inhibit their ability to attract top companies to our communities. For these reasons, the Loudoun Chamber respectfully requests that the Committee votes “no” to HB 1934. Thank you for considering the safety and economic development priorities of all Virginia communities on this issue. Grafton deButts Vice President of Membership & Government Affairs Loudoun Chamber

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is opposed to HB 1934 requiring local government approval for the installation or replacement of gas distribution pipelines in residential subdivisions. The SCC has regulatory authority over such projects, and they have the technical capacity to exercise that oversight. Creating a parallel local regulation would require additional evaluation by localities for gas pipeline projects, including safety and maintenance projects, adding cost and time to complete the project. Moreover, HB 1934 could also raise the cost and complexity of other local infrastructure projects, including stormwater and flood mitigation projects, if they require gas pipeline relocation or replacement. As such, the Chamber encourages the subcommittee not to recommend reporting the bill.

I do not have any comments or take any position on these bills. I am available should there be any questions to ask the State Corporation Commission related to these bills.

Virginia Advanced Energy Economy is pleased to SUPPORT this legislation, which will allow breweries, wineries, and distilleries take advantage to be considered small agricultural generators if they use distributed renewable energy, such as rooftop solar, small wind turbines, or anaerobic digesters, to help power their operations. Such technologies can help entrepreneurs like these save money, lock-in predictable energy costs, and decarbonize their operations. We look forward to seeing more Virginia businesses and farmers take advantage of this program. Thank you!

I strongly support HB2034, which clarifies legislative intent to ensure nonjurisdictional customers in SW Virginia (which includes municipalities and public schools) can enter into power purchasing agreements to access renewable energy. These agreements are important financing tools for tax-exempt entities to go solar with no money down while taking advantage of federal tax incentives. This bill could result in saving taxpayer money on government power bills during a time in which government budgets are especially tight.

While HB2034 is directly for the benefit of energy consumers in SW Virginia, I strongly support it even though I live in Arlington. This Bill ensures that customers such as municipalities and public schools can enter into Power Purchase Agreements to access renewable energy. This access is already available to those of us within Dominion's territory but it needs to extend statewide. This will help lower the carbon footprint of these customers and that directly helps me. Thanks, Annette Lang, Arlington.

Some argue that solar panels will require too much land. Much land area in the U.S., however, is already dedicated to industrial uses and a significant portion represents abandoned uses. This bill for Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund makes tremendous sense. The bill awards grants on a competitive basis to support wind, solar, or geothermal projects sited on formerly mined lands or brownfields. Renewable energy development on previously disturbed land rather than high-value fields and forests should be promoted. This bill will also create opportunities in Southwest Virginia ensure they are a part of the transition to clean energy. Please support the passage of this bill.

I am interested in and strongly support the passage of this bill. The 100 percent renewable products offered by Dominion or APCo are more expensive and less “green” than renewable products available in the competitive market. This bill is supported by many large private sector and public organizations. Customers should be able to buy renewable energy from any supplier. Thanks.

I have attended several forums where the need for economic development in southwest Virginia was discussed. I believe this bill is a step in the right direction and its passage should be supported. The bill will provide financing tools for tax-exempt entities to go solar; allow non-jurisdictional customers to participate on equal footing; and result in saving taxpayer money on government power bills. In seeking climate solutions, we should select good solar initiatives when we can.

From the SCC and available for questions.

Reasons to Support House Bill 2024 This bill clarifies legislative intent to ensure nonjurisdictional customers in SW Virginia, which include municipalities and public schools, can enter into power purchase agreements to access renewable energy. This opportunity already exists explicitly for nonjurisdictional customers in Dominion territory. Thus this bill makes the existing policy consistent throughout the Commonwealth. In addition, these nonjurisdictional customers may participate on equal footing with jurisdictional customers as it pertains to the already existing 40 MW caps. This bill does NOT increase or change the caps Why support this bill? 1. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are important financing tools for tax exempt entities to be able to go solar with no money down while taking advantage of federal tax incentives. PPAs are now mechanisms that are being turned to by mayors and municipalities to enable them to adopt renewable energy at a much greater rate than they would otherwise be able to do. 2. Last year, the General Assembly passed the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and Solar Freedom Act (SFA). Together, these bills expanded the PPA Pilot Program caps in Dominion, Appalachian Power and Old Dominion Power territories. 3. However, the is silent as to whether the new cap in APCo and ODP territory applies to jurisdictional customers (private entities), nonjurisdictional customers (public/government entities), or both; whereas, for Dominion territory, the law specifically designates equal caps for jurisdictional and nonjurisdictional customers. 4. Action is needed now so that municipalities and public schools have access to PPAs, which could result in saving taxpayer money on government power bills during a time in which government budgets are especially tight. There is no good argument against this. It is a win win for all entities. Climate change is real, and the sooner VA moves to provide all entities with easy access to energy sources that do not contribute to an increase in our world's temperature, the better our state, country and world will be. Thank you for your time and consideration of my opinion.

am writing in support of HB 2034 "Electric utilities; nonjurisdictional customers, third party power purchase agreements." Del. Chris Hurst, chief patron. It is patently unfair - yes, discriminatory - that Southwest Virginia schools, other public buildings and churches are prevented by Appalachian Power from accessing solar energy through third party power purchase agreements with the utility. Once again, Southwest Virginians get the short end of the stick, while schools in richer jurisdictions like Arlington, Fairfax, Richmond and elsewhere in Dominion Virginia Energy territory are saving on utilities by adding solar to school rooftops at no cost to taxpayers. More of those school divisions, budgets goes to the core mission of education. In support of equality for Southwest Virginians, in recognition of the financial stress this pandemic is placing on our already meagerly funded public schools, out of charity to our churches, I urge you to pass HB2034. It's past time to require Appalachian Power to accept third party-capitalized solar power systems on rooftops and ground mounts adjacent to schools, municipal buildings, churches, and state and non-profit arts and community organizations' facilities. Appalachian Power should not be allowed to continue to use its publicly granted monopoly status to stop adoption of solar energy that not only will save taxpayers and church members money but offer employment opportunities in our communities.

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, The regional solar trade association supports HB 2034, which clarifies that nonjurisdictional customers like public school systems and localities are eligible under Appalachian Power Co (APCo)'s and Old Dominion Power (ODP)'s Power Purchase Agreement program. Currently, APCo has less than 0.0006% of solar capacity installed on schools within their territory, totaling 22 kilowatts at 6 schools. In comparison, Dominion Energy and other electric utilities have 34,000+ kilowatts at 135 schools. The inequality is great, and it is time that our policies apply equally across the state so that more schools can save money by going solar. We hope you will support HB 2034. Thank you for your consideration, Rachel Smucker, Virginia Policy and Development Manager, CHESSA

Support HB 1925: As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. The program developed by this bill would infuse reclamation and rehabilitation dollars into these communities, making communities safer and healthier. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill. Support HB 2034: For more than three years, schools and local governments in the coalfield region including Wise, Lee, and Dickenson counties have been blocked from installing solar on seven schools and local government buildings due to utilities blocking the use of Power Purchase Agreements. These solar projects would save our local governments millions of dollars over the life of the projects. In Southwest Virginia, schools have only been able to install 22 kilowatts of solar energy, while access to PPAs in Eastern and Northern Virginia has led to over 34,000 kilowatts for solar-powered schools. It is crucial that this bill be enacted in order to help our local governments save money during these unprecedented times. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill.

I ask the both these bills pass as written. I believe they will further our progress towards a sustainable energy system in as virginia and nationally

Please excuse the brevity of my comment. I just opened my email and I understand that the House Subcommittee begins meeting at 7:00. I strongly support HB2034. I understand others from the area have contacted you in support of the bill. I understand that Fairfax County (where I lived for 24 years) and others supplied by Dominion have this opportunity. I worked in support of the Office of Solar Applications at the US DoE during the Carter Administration and we have just under 10kW of solar PV (with battery backup) on our home in Damascus. I do sincerely hope you will help bring this opportunity to Southwest Virginia. Ron Edins Washington County Planning Commission

Please pass this bill!!!! Schools need access to solar also!

Delegates: I am writing in support of HB 2034 "Electric utilities; nonjurisdictional customers, third party power purchase agreements." Del. Chris Hurst, chief patron. This is an anti-discrimination bill! It is patently unfair - yes, discriminatory - that Southwest Virginia schools, other public buildings and churches are prevented by Appalachian Power from accessing solar energy through third party power purchase agreements with the utility. Once again, Southwest Virginians get the short end of the stick, while schools in richer jurisdictions like Arlington, Fairfax, Richmond and elsewhere in Dominion Virginia Energy territory are saving on utilities by adding solar to school rooftops at no cost to taxpayers. More of those school divisions, budgets goes to the core mission of education. In support of equality for Southwest Virginians, in recognition of the financial stress this pandemic is placing on our already meagerly funded public schools, out of charity to our churches, I urge you to pass HB2034. It's past time to require Appalachian Power to accept third party-capitalized solar power systems on rooftops and ground mounts adjacent to schools, municipal buildings, churches, and state and non-profit arts and community organizations' facilities. Yes, it is inexcusable that we must legislate Appalachian Power to act fairly, but it appears we must. ApCo is part and parcel of American Electric Power which for decades has operated its huge, multi-state utility as a unified generating and transmission system, much larger than Dominion Virginia Energy. It should be no problem at all for AEP to interconnect with small new solar generators, which will have a tiny impact on their huge system. Appalachian Power should not be allowed to continue to use its publicly granted monopoly status to stop adoption of solar energy that not only will save taxpayers and church members money but offer employment opportunities in our communities. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Virginia. James A Warden Meadowview, Virginia

I support the bill by Kilgore and the bill by Hurst - people and schools in Virginia deserve better access to renewable energy!

I am writing in support of HB 2034 "Electric utilities; nonjurisdictional customers, third party power purchase agreements." Del. Chris Hurst, chief patron. This is an anti-discrimination bill! It is patently unfair - yes, discriminatory - that Southwest Virginia schools, other public buildings and churches are prevented by Appalachian Power from accessing solar energy through third party power purchase agreements with the utility. Once again, Southwest Virginians get the short end of the stick, while schools in richer jurisdictions like Arlington, Fairfax, Richmond and elsewhere in Dominion Virginia Energy territory are saving on utilities by adding solar to school rooftops at no cost to taxpayers. More of those school division's budget goes to the core mission of education. In support of equality for Southwest Virginians, in recognition of the financial stress this pandemic is placing on our already meagerly funded public schools, out of charity to our churches, I urge you to pass HB2034. It's past time to require Appalachian Power to accept third party-capitalized solar power systems on rooftops and ground mounts adjacent to schools, municipal buildings, churches, and state and non-profit arts and community organizations' facilities. Yes, it is inexcusable that we must legislate Appalachian Power to act fairly, but it appears we must. ApCo is part and parcel of American Electric Power which for decades has operated it's huge, multi-state utility as a unified generating and transmission system, much larger than Dominion Virginia Energy. It should be no problem at all for AEP to interconnect with small new solar generators, which will have a tiny impact on their huge system. Appalachian Power should not be allowed to continue to use it's publicly granted monopoly status to stop adoption of solar energy that not only will save taxpayers and church members money but offer employment opportunities in our communities. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Virginia. Rees Shearer Emory, Virginia

HB1925 is necessary to encourage renewable energy development on previously disturbed areas rather than on Virginia’s high-value agricultural and forest lands, and to create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. HB2034 ensures nonjurisdictional customers in SW Virginia, which includes municipalities and public schools, can enter into power purchase agreements to access renewable energy. This opportunity already exists explicitly for nonjurisdictional customers in Dominion territory, and it is important to ensure existing policy is consistent throughout the Commonwealth. This bill does NOT increase or change the caps.

HB1925 will help the people of Southwest Virginia as the region transitions from a coal-production-based to the renewable energy-based economy. HB2034 provides needed clarification that both non-jurisdictional and jurisdictional electricity customers throughout Virginia are eligible to participate in third-party power purchase arrangements.

I do not have any comments or take any position on these bills. I am available should there be any questions to ask the State Corporation Commission related to these bills.