Virginia
Net-zero
Governor
Glenn Youngkin (Republican)
House Party
Democratic Majority
Senate Party
Democratic Majority
Key Offices & Links
19
43
Southeast
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted
- In-progress
- Partially Enacted
- Not Enacted
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Virginia
| Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | YR Enacted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enacted |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2020 | ||
| Enacted |
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The 2016-2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was published in November 2022. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
| Enacted |
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"Environmental justice communities" are geographic areas in which the percentage of the population of color is higher than the statewide share, or are census block groups in which at least 30% of the population has an annual household income less than 80% of the area's median income and 200% of the federal poverty level. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2020 | |
| Enacted |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2022 | ||
| Enacted |
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DEQ – Office of Environmental Justice Environmental Justice Interagency Working Group Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
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Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2019 | |
| Enacted |
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Utilities must incorporate the social cost of carbon in applications for new generating facilities. Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | 2020 | |
| Enacted |
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100% renewable energy for Phase II Utilities by 2045 | 100% for Phase I Utilities by 2050 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2020 | |
| Enacted |
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Virginia has an active community choice aggregation program. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | 1999 | |
| Enacted |
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3,100 megawatts (MW) of energy storage capacity by 2035 from the state's two investor-owned utilities (2,700 MW for Dominion and 400 MW for Appalachian Power Company). 10% of projects must be deployed behind the meter, and 35% of capacity must be owned by non-utility entities. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2020 | |
| Enacted |
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Virginia received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
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Requires 100% renewable energy by 2045 or 2050, depending on the type of electric utility, and does not include energy derived from coal in its definition of renewable electricity. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | 2020 | |
| Enacted |
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The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2021 IECC with amendments. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
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The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
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Phase 1 electric utilities are required to achieve 2% energy savings by 2025 and Phase 2 utilities are required to achieve 5% savings by 2025, relative to 2019 sales. The State Corporation Commission will establish efficiency savings targets for 2026–2028. Gas utilities are not subject to an EERS. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
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Virginia has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2009 | |
| Enacted |
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Virginia Clean Vehicles Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
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Model Year (MY) 2026: 35% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs | MY 2030: 68% of new sales are ZEVs | MY 2035: 100% of new sales are ZEVs, with up to 20% being hybrid or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
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The state prohibits certain HFCs in specific stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning end-uses. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | 2020 |