TRANSITIONING ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Our Commitment
Halting fossil fuel projects and ensuring an equitable transition to a clean energy economy.
THE ISSUE
Fossil fuel infrastructure negatively impacts public health and the environment and contributes to our climate crisis. In Virginia, projects like the fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) perpetuate environmental injustice and hinder us from achieving the clean energy goals of our Commonwealth equitably. Pipelines like MVP represent an overbuild of gas infrastructure in the region and provide no true benefit for local communities. Meanwhile, new energy technologies like small scale nuclear reactors and hydrogen must be thoughtfully developed in our transition to a zero-carbon grid to ensure extra risks are not passed on to ratepayers or the environment. VCN and our Partners are working to promote policies that recognize the severity of the climate crisis and strengthen protections for communities impacted by energy infrastructure.
Clean Energy & Climate Recap: 2026 Bill Outcomes
Virginia Conservation Network advocated for 99 bills this General Assembly session that increase access to affordable, clean energy, support energy efficiency, regulate the data center industry's energy demand, and more.
Bill of the Day: Defending Attacks on Our Climate Laws
We’re defending attacks on the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), passed in 2020, that outlines a path for Virginia’s two largest electric utilities—Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company—to transition to 100% clean energy by 2045 and 2050, respectively.
Catch Up On Our Path to 100% Clean Energy Education Series
Virginia Conservation Network hosted an educational series tailored for decision-makers and advocates to learn about Virginia's transition to clean energy.
5th Anniversary of the Virginia Clean Economy Act
Five year ago, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) established a 100% clean energy standard for Virginia.
Data Center and Gas Plant DENIED in Pittsylvania County
Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors denied rezoning 750 acres of agricultural land for a proposed data center complex and gas-fired power plant.
Clean Energy & Climate Recap: 2025 Bill Outcomes
Virginia Conservation Network advocated for 65 bills this General Assembly session that support the Virginia Clean Economy Act, enables more local solar energy, regulates the data center industry's energy demand, and more.
RESOURCES
Video: Virginia’s Clean Energy Pillars – VCEA & RGGI
Virginia Conservation Network hosted a webinar diving into two key pillars of Virginia’s clean energy transition—the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Report: Clean Energy Tax Credits – Working for Appalachia
Appalachian Voices released a report highlighting the benefits of federal clean energy energy tax credits on nonprofits and businesses in Central and Southern Appalachia.
Video: Chesterfield Residents Oppose Dominion Plant
Appalachian Voices has released a video showcasing interviews with local residents opposing Dominion's proposed gas-fired power plant in Chesterfield, VA.
Chesterfield Gas Plant Health Impacts Fact Sheet
SELC has released an updated health impacts factsheet on Dominion's proposed 1,000-megawatt gas plant. The update includes a new map indicating both potential sites and revised pollutant data, emphasizing that the gas plant will generate more pollution than the existing coal plant.
Meeting Virginia’s Energy Needs Sustainably
Shenandoah University's Institute for Business, Sustainability & Society released a working paper outlining concerns about Dominion Energy's proposed Chesterfield peaker plant, such as its susceptibility to extreme weather events, health impacts, and high costs.
Report: The Peaker Problem
Clean Energy Group and Strategen released a report examining the peaker power plant landscape in 3 major U.S. cities and their context and impact on low-income communities and communities of color.
