VACo County Pulse Podcast

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 11 | Nuclear Power, Small Modular Reactors, and Fusion  In 2023 nuclear power produced approximately one-third of all power from Virginia sources while representing only 12 percent of all generation capacity in the Commonwealth. Dominion Energy operates Virginia’s four nuclear units in plants located in Louisa and Surry counties, each with a capacity of more than 900 megawatts in generation. Each unit operates continuously at capacity, only coming off-line temporarily to refuel approximately every 18 months. In this episode, we sat down with Erich Fritz, manager of business development, and Marc Hofmann, manager of nuclear emergency preparedness and licensing with Dominion to learn more about their existing nuclear fleet, their plans for developing small modular reactors, as well as their partnership with Commonwealth Fusion Systems [https://cfs.energy/] to assist in building Virginia’s first commercially operating nuclear fusion reactor. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode: * Dominion Energy Nuclear Facilities [https://www.dominionenergy.com/projects-and-facilities/nuclear-facilities] * Dominion seeking small nuclear reactor proposals • Virginia Mercury [https://virginiamercury.com/2024/07/11/dominion-seeking-small-nuclear-reactor-proposals/] * Appalachian Power - SMR Plan [https://appalachianpowersmr.com/] * Commonwealth Fusion Systems to Build World’s First Commercial Fusion Power Plant in Virginia | Commonwealth Fusion Systems [https://cfs.energy/news-and-media/commonwealth-fusion-systems-to-build-worlds-first-commercial-fusion-power-plant-in-virginia] * California ISO – Today’s Outlook for Supply and Renewables [https://www.caiso.com/todays-outlook/supply]

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems District Energy Systems are a proven engineering solution that conveys heat between suppliers and users, between or among buildings. Excess heat generated by the multitude of data centers located Virginia provides an opportunity to supply heat to adjoining uses, thereby reducing overall energy consumption within what is known as a District Energy System. Joe Lerch talks with Executive Director Bob Lazaro  and Senior Regional Planner Dale Medearis with Northern Virginia Regional Commission, about their longstanding work on promoting the use of District Energy Systems as part of an overall energy savings and efficiency strategy for the region. We’ll learn how leaders in the data center industry are making this happen, and what local governments can do to facilitate the use of excess heat from their operations. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode * District Energy Supported by Excess Heat from Data Centers – NVRC Site Visit Markham, Canada [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnew.express.adobe.com%2Fwebpage%2FFelIG34WcMyKv&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C3b79fca867c74f3da9e208dd71ee6713%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638791990927147187%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZXk%2FZ2VJ5eI6Q4aQn%2BVHIAL2elxgL80%2FAHiw5vsoWCw%3D&reserved=0] * District Energy and the Potential for Applications in Northern Virginia – NVRC webinar/October 22, 2024 [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhS6jrsR_vUo%26t%3D43s&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C3b79fca867c74f3da9e208dd71ee6713%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638791990927170172%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2Fl4ci6bg6kvlwrskj1m%2FYeX73pZhzOqGewkIElF17hM%3D&reserved=0] * NVRC Resilience Hub [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novaregion.org%2F1380%2FResilience-Hub&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C3b79fca867c74f3da9e208dd71ee6713%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638791990927181587%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AVa%2FkU%2BN0CosmrpJBvDkFB15zgkqnGK79V3tkWGfLJE%3D&reserved=0] * Data Center Proximity to Public Facilities (interactive map) [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnvrc.maps.arcgis.com%2Fapps%2Finstant%2Fexhibit%2Findex.html%3Fappid%3D47e4598a0a4947f582881ba15886e0d3&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C3b79fca867c74f3da9e208dd71ee6713%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638791990927192979%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TfEPYcdSPwfDJGMnOiKWPOddE4i6lkICJllm7TPElkA%3D&reserved=0] * District Energy Systems: An Analysis of Virginia Law [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novaregion.org%2F1215%2FDistrict-Energy-Systems&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C3b79fca867c74f3da9e208dd71ee6713%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638791990927202672%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GlnnzeI0TeilZVf3P2BoqMF%2BMukdfxbh%2FjCB2DmpzQk%3D&reserved=0]

Joe Lerch talks with Aaron Berryhill, Solar Program Manager with Virginia Department of Energy on the latest numbers in Virginia for solar installations. We cover a wide range of sources that inform how much utility-scale, community-scale, and rooftop solar has been installed in the Commonwealth. For information and assistance contact: Aaron Berryhill Solar Program Manager Virginia Department of Energy aaron.berryhill@energy.virginia.gov [aaron.berryhill@energy.virginia.gov] Office: 804.486.2754 / Cell: 804.839.6978  Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode * Virginia Energy – Solar Power Webpage [https://www.energy.virginia.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-programs.shtml]  * U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – Electricity Data [https://www.eia.gov/electricity/]  * Virginia Solar Database – University of Virginia | Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service [https://solardatabase.coopercenter.org/] * Updated Utility-Scale Solar Land Use Report (2025) [https://energy.virginia.gov/renewable-energy/documents/Re-Evaluating%20Land%20Use%20Impacts%20of%20Utility-Scale%20Solar%20-%20FINAL.pdf] * Solar and wind power curtailments are rising in California – EIA, October, 2023 online article [https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=60822] * Accelerated Renewable Energy Buyers – Dominion Energy Certification Process [https://www.dominionenergy.com/virginia/rates-and-tariffs/rps/arbs]

Joe Lerch and VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch provide an update on the status of legislation relating to Data Centers and Utility-Scale Solar. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode * JLARC "Data Centers in Virginia" Report [https://jlarc.virginia.gov/landing-2024-data-centers-in-virginia.asp] * HB 1601 [https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1601]/SB 1449 [https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1449] – Siting of Data Centers; Site Assessment * House Budget Amendment [https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2025/1/HB1600/Introduced/CA/3-5.25/2h/] – Extends the sunset date for sales tax exemption for data centers from 2035 to 2050 * Senate Budget Amendment [https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2025/1/HB1600/Introduced/CA/3-5.25/2h/] – Requires data center operators to meet energy efficiency standards to qualify for sales tax exemption * Capitol Contact ALERT: VACo Opposes Bill Mandating Targets for Utility-Scale Solar in Comprehensive Plans [https://www.vaco.org/capitol-contact-alert/capitol-contact-alert-vaco-opposes-bill-mandating-targets-for-utility-scale-solar-in-comprehensive-plans/] (January 29, 2025) * Bills to Mandate Counties put State Targets for Utility-Scale Solar in Comprehensive Plans Fail [https://www.vaco.org/capitol-contact/bills-to-mandate-counties-put-state-targets-for-utility-scale-solar-in-comprehensive-plans-fail/] (February 4, 2025) * Action Item: Oppose Bill to Mandate Statewide Standards for Solar Facilities [https://www.vaco.org/capitol-contact/action-item-oppose-bill-to-mandate-state-wide-standards-for-solar-facilities/] (February 13, 2025)

“Data Centers in Virginia” JLARC Report – Interview with Mark Gribbin In this episode we sit down with Mark Gribbin, Chief Legislative Analyst with the  Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC). He is the project leader for JLARC’s “Data Centers in Virginia” report, which was released December 9th. We go over a summary of the report’s findings regarding the economic benefits to Virginia, as well as what challenges lay ahead in regard to meeting the escalating energy demand from the continued growth of the industry. We also discuss the report’s legislative recommendations and policy options, some of which include expressly authorizing local governments to address issues related to water usage and noise. RESOURCES * JLARC “Data Centers in Virginia” Report [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjlarc.virginia.gov%2Flanding-2024-data-centers-in-virginia.asp&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C408ae771a2144faea3d208dd205d6e7a%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638702307840894931%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=p4DPBpD22v8B8Xs6huUdjHA2JV%2BiDG8KemcSPkPdnwk%3D&reserved=0] * Electric Utilities and Data Center Load Growth – Case Summary for SCC PUR-2024-00144 [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscc.virginia.gov%2FDocketSearch%23%2FcaseDetails%2F145480&data=05%7C02%7Cgharter%40vaco.org%7C408ae771a2144faea3d208dd205d6e7a%7C437a632da75d4bd286f03a8cadc4a990%7C0%7C0%7C638702307840920357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xC%2BBQ%2FkeJJU04NKbIGibP%2BcD6RvyoaH3QJZmhwpyqj8%3D&reserved=0]