Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
@vgcclimate.bsky.social
VirginiaGrassroots.org
Working group for Climate and Clean Energy within the coalition.
Supporting VA legislation to lower emissions and accelerate an affordable, clean energy economy.
https://virginiagrassroots.org/coalition-wg-climate.php
Working group for Climate and Clean Energy within the coalition.
Supporting VA legislation to lower emissions and accelerate an affordable, clean energy economy.
https://virginiagrassroots.org/coalition-wg-climate.php
The Delegates-elect don't take utility money, 🎉 (nor top of ticket) BUT nobody gets more $ from our regulated monopoly utility than valeg House leader 🤔. Watch as critical committee assignments (happening today) empower those in alignment with Dominion Energy desires. 🙄
Vpap.org to follow the $
Vpap.org to follow the $
Virginia Democrats’ sweep is this Election Day’s biggest climate win. Now, they have rising bills, data centers, and a clean energy law in jeopardy to reckon with.
Virginia scored the election’s biggest climate win
The data-center capital of the world elected a Democratic governor and strengthened its House Democratic majority. Will they save its landmark clean…
www.canarymedia.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The Delegates-elect don't take utility money, 🎉 (nor top of ticket) BUT nobody gets more $ from our regulated monopoly utility than valeg House leader 🤔. Watch as critical committee assignments (happening today) empower those in alignment with Dominion Energy desires. 🙄
Vpap.org to follow the $
Vpap.org to follow the $
What we're reading now.
Modular nuclear will not save the nuclear industry.
Public dollars should not take on their risk. (This already happened to an extent in Virginia, with ratepayers paying for nuclear development costs through utility shenanigans).
www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear...
Modular nuclear will not save the nuclear industry.
Public dollars should not take on their risk. (This already happened to an extent in Virginia, with ratepayers paying for nuclear development costs through utility shenanigans).
www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear...
Nuclear power is failing, and AI can’t rescue it
Nuclear generation is expensive and slow to develop. Claims that past failures won’t recur have convinced politicians to socialize investments rejected by private capital markets.
www.utilitydive.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
What we're reading now.
Modular nuclear will not save the nuclear industry.
Public dollars should not take on their risk. (This already happened to an extent in Virginia, with ratepayers paying for nuclear development costs through utility shenanigans).
www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear...
Modular nuclear will not save the nuclear industry.
Public dollars should not take on their risk. (This already happened to an extent in Virginia, with ratepayers paying for nuclear development costs through utility shenanigans).
www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear...
Astonishing
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Astonishing
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
There were so many exciting Virginia wins last night, including that we flipped the state blue! Here are some we are EXTRA stoked about. ⬇️
November 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
There were so many exciting Virginia wins last night, including that we flipped the state blue! Here are some we are EXTRA stoked about. ⬇️
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Batteries Save Illinois Consumers $12 billion!
The Illinois Legislature passes a big energy bill that will deploy 3 GW of battery storage by 2030 and more solar.
Battery storage will save consumers $12 billion by cutting capacity costs!
pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/05/i... #energysky
The Illinois Legislature passes a big energy bill that will deploy 3 GW of battery storage by 2030 and more solar.
Battery storage will save consumers $12 billion by cutting capacity costs!
pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/05/i... #energysky
Illinois to add 3 GW of batteries, saving consumers $12 billion over 20 years
Illinois is set to issue procurements for 3 GW of battery storage, under a bill expected to be signed by Governor JB Pritzker. Transmission improvements to speed renewable deployment are also in the w...
pv-magazine-usa.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Batteries Save Illinois Consumers $12 billion!
The Illinois Legislature passes a big energy bill that will deploy 3 GW of battery storage by 2030 and more solar.
Battery storage will save consumers $12 billion by cutting capacity costs!
pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/05/i... #energysky
The Illinois Legislature passes a big energy bill that will deploy 3 GW of battery storage by 2030 and more solar.
Battery storage will save consumers $12 billion by cutting capacity costs!
pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/05/i... #energysky
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Tonight, voters made history in the Commonwealth. For the first time, every statewide office will be held by leaders who refuse money from Virginia's monopoly utilities, marking a turning point for millions of Virginians who have long paid the price for political corruption and monopoly control.
November 5, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Tonight, voters made history in the Commonwealth. For the first time, every statewide office will be held by leaders who refuse money from Virginia's monopoly utilities, marking a turning point for millions of Virginians who have long paid the price for political corruption and monopoly control.
Virginia needs these solutions - flexibility from data centers that can (they bring batteries for their needs and shift their loads), and other data centers buy us batteries, so we can be flexible with our aggregated loads. (And grid upgrades they all pay for.)
🎁 Gift link: Insightful op-ed on electricity prices by @tnorris.bsky.social
Why the rise?
⬆️ natural gas prices
⬆️ costs to modernize the grid and rebuild after hurricanes, wildfires
"Ask the largest power users to draw a little less from the grid during the limited hours when it’s most strained."
Why the rise?
⬆️ natural gas prices
⬆️ costs to modernize the grid and rebuild after hurricanes, wildfires
"Ask the largest power users to draw a little less from the grid during the limited hours when it’s most strained."
Opinion | A Simple Fix to America’s Soaring Electricity Prices
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Virginia needs these solutions - flexibility from data centers that can (they bring batteries for their needs and shift their loads), and other data centers buy us batteries, so we can be flexible with our aggregated loads. (And grid upgrades they all pay for.)
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Portland General Electric has made a small but significant breakthrough in data center load management, thanks to software from startup Gridcare.
Oregon utility tries out a faster, cheaper way to power data centers
Portland General Electric used Gridcare’s software to identify extra space on its grid — available to any existing data center willing to be flexible.
www.canarymedia.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Portland General Electric has made a small but significant breakthrough in data center load management, thanks to software from startup Gridcare.
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
"Appalachian Power... is proposing more than a 20% reduction in electricity costs... The reason... is a combination of lower fuel costs and greater adoption of renewable energy". Clean energy = cheap energy, because if you don't burn fuel, you don't pay for fuel. cardinalnews.org/2025/11/03/l...
Letting the market lead: How cost-effective renewables can save consumers money
Solar energy systems, especially when paired with battery storage, can produce low-cost power during peak hours, when electricity is most expensive on the wholesale market. Batteries can then store…
cardinalnews.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
"Appalachian Power... is proposing more than a 20% reduction in electricity costs... The reason... is a combination of lower fuel costs and greater adoption of renewable energy". Clean energy = cheap energy, because if you don't burn fuel, you don't pay for fuel. cardinalnews.org/2025/11/03/l...
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Virginia voters will hit the polls tomorrow with electricity bills, data centers and renewable energy front of mind.
One potential outcome? A Democratic triefcta control with questions over a commitment to the state's decarbonization law.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0311202...
One potential outcome? A Democratic triefcta control with questions over a commitment to the state's decarbonization law.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0311202...
In Virginia, Voters Head to the Polls Hot Over Data Centers, Solar Facilities and Rising Electric Bills - Inside Climate News
Virginia, birthplace of the Internet, has more data centers than anywhere else in the world, bringing in billions in tax revenues. But continued data center development is forcing electric rates up, a...
insideclimatenews.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Virginia voters will hit the polls tomorrow with electricity bills, data centers and renewable energy front of mind.
One potential outcome? A Democratic triefcta control with questions over a commitment to the state's decarbonization law.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0311202...
One potential outcome? A Democratic triefcta control with questions over a commitment to the state's decarbonization law.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0311202...
Community solar pilot in Ohio.
Small farmer:
"if we can empower individuals to create their own electricity, to be able to sell a little bit back to the the companies, reduce their bills?”
“Who would, in their right mind, go against that? That seems like, I mean, it’s just a no brainer.”
Small farmer:
"if we can empower individuals to create their own electricity, to be able to sell a little bit back to the the companies, reduce their bills?”
“Who would, in their right mind, go against that? That seems like, I mean, it’s just a no brainer.”
Ohio’s solar industry and some farmers are eagerly hoping for state lawmakers to approve a community power pilot.
via @ohiocapitaljournal.com
via @ohiocapitaljournal.com
Ohio solar supporters, farmers eager for proposed community power pilot
Ohio’s solar industry and some farmers are eagerly hoping for state lawmakers to approve a community power pilot. The bill’s backers initially tacked it onto the massive utility overhaul lawmakers…
www.newsfromthestates.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Community solar pilot in Ohio.
Small farmer:
"if we can empower individuals to create their own electricity, to be able to sell a little bit back to the the companies, reduce their bills?”
“Who would, in their right mind, go against that? That seems like, I mean, it’s just a no brainer.”
Small farmer:
"if we can empower individuals to create their own electricity, to be able to sell a little bit back to the the companies, reduce their bills?”
“Who would, in their right mind, go against that? That seems like, I mean, it’s just a no brainer.”
Vote for Jay Jones for AG.
MAGA-Koch attacks nuclear safety oversight - says it belongs to the States.
"a major goal of the lawsuit was to shift oversight of small nuclear reactors from the NRC to the states, they recruited state attorneys general as lead plaintiffs."
Safe nuclear, yes.
Not 👇
MAGA-Koch attacks nuclear safety oversight - says it belongs to the States.
"a major goal of the lawsuit was to shift oversight of small nuclear reactors from the NRC to the states, they recruited state attorneys general as lead plaintiffs."
Safe nuclear, yes.
Not 👇
Do not miss this stunning investigation that reveals how a Koch-funded machine and Silicon Valley's new found interest is behind the dangerous advanced nuclear hype in the US.
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
The Risky Movement to Make America Nuclear Again
A Silicon Valley startup called Oklo is leading the charge to bring nuclear power back to the US with small reactors. Its backers have wealth and political connections that could undermine nuclear saf...
www.bloomberg.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Vote for Jay Jones for AG.
MAGA-Koch attacks nuclear safety oversight - says it belongs to the States.
"a major goal of the lawsuit was to shift oversight of small nuclear reactors from the NRC to the states, they recruited state attorneys general as lead plaintiffs."
Safe nuclear, yes.
Not 👇
MAGA-Koch attacks nuclear safety oversight - says it belongs to the States.
"a major goal of the lawsuit was to shift oversight of small nuclear reactors from the NRC to the states, they recruited state attorneys general as lead plaintiffs."
Safe nuclear, yes.
Not 👇
Don't be a NIPSCO.
This Indiana utility says launching a spinoff company will protect customers from data center power costs. Consumer watchdogs aren’t so sure.
Critics decry company created to rush power to Indiana data centers
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. says the spinoff is needed to meet surging power demand. Others say it’s an excuse to bypass regulations that protect…
www.canarymedia.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Don't be a NIPSCO.
Take a look at state climate progress in Illinois!
Last night, Illinois passed two of the biggest pro-climate laws of 2025
In the final day of session, lawmakers voted for $1.5B in annual transit funding and passed the Clean & Reliable Grid Act
By passing these pro-affordability, pro-climate bills, they've shown what’s possible when states lead 🧵
In the final day of session, lawmakers voted for $1.5B in annual transit funding and passed the Clean & Reliable Grid Act
By passing these pro-affordability, pro-climate bills, they've shown what’s possible when states lead 🧵
November 1, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Take a look at state climate progress in Illinois!
SCC report recommends
utility fuel-cost sharing, RAC review, and all-source competitive procurement.
No more business as usual, utilities, - we can't afford it.
Profits should be tied to performance.
utility fuel-cost sharing, RAC review, and all-source competitive procurement.
No more business as usual, utilities, - we can't afford it.
Profits should be tied to performance.
What can elected officials actually do to rein in electricity prices? Virginia’s utility commission has some suggestions.
Virginia legislators have a new road map for reining in electric bills
Containing rising power rates is easier said than done for candidates campaigning on the issue. A recent study details how to do it once they’re elected.
www.canarymedia.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:24 AM
SCC report recommends
utility fuel-cost sharing, RAC review, and all-source competitive procurement.
No more business as usual, utilities, - we can't afford it.
Profits should be tied to performance.
utility fuel-cost sharing, RAC review, and all-source competitive procurement.
No more business as usual, utilities, - we can't afford it.
Profits should be tied to performance.
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
🥳🎉🍾
Tomorrow, 11/1, tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents who heat their homes with #heatpumps will start getting a discounted electric rate that lasts through April.
The notifications (like the one attached) have been going out for the last few weeks. www.wbur.org/news/2025/08... @wbur.org
The notifications (like the one attached) have been going out for the last few weeks. www.wbur.org/news/2025/08... @wbur.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:16 PM
🥳🎉🍾
Dirty, dirty coal causing health dangers at every point - extraction, transportation, burning, and ash disposal.
Environmental concerns rise after 50 coal cars derail in New Kent County, spilling coal and diesel fuel near the Chickahominy River, an important drinking water source.
Environmentalist calls Virginia coal train derailment 'punch in the gut' for Chickahominy River
Environmental concerns rise after 50 coal cars derail in New Kent County, spilling coal and diesel fuel near the Chickahominy River, an important drinking water source.
www.wtvr.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Dirty, dirty coal causing health dangers at every point - extraction, transportation, burning, and ash disposal.
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Dominion says rising gas prices mean it must raise residential electricity bills by about $130 per year!
Dominion, a monopoly utility, has NO fuel cost risk. It makes captive customers pay.
Competitive generation companies absorb fuel cost risks.
virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/d... #energysky
Dominion, a monopoly utility, has NO fuel cost risk. It makes captive customers pay.
Competitive generation companies absorb fuel cost risks.
virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/d... #energysky
Dominion proposes higher utility rates, new rate class for data centers • Virginia Mercury
Utility's planned rate hike would add $10.51 per month to residential customers' bills starting in 2027, while a separate fuel rate increase would add an average of $10.92 more per month.
virginiamercury.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Dominion says rising gas prices mean it must raise residential electricity bills by about $130 per year!
Dominion, a monopoly utility, has NO fuel cost risk. It makes captive customers pay.
Competitive generation companies absorb fuel cost risks.
virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/d... #energysky
Dominion, a monopoly utility, has NO fuel cost risk. It makes captive customers pay.
Competitive generation companies absorb fuel cost risks.
virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/d... #energysky
A lot of Virginians will have seen the WaPo article and need this fix from energy wonk, Congressman Casten.
Also keep in mind our regulated electric monopoly has a rate case before our State Corporation Commission asking for an increased profit margin. 🧐
Also keep in mind our regulated electric monopoly has a rate case before our State Corporation Commission asking for an increased profit margin. 🧐
It's been a while since I've done a non-political nerd thread. And I wish I could do them more often! So let's do a palette cleanse to talk about this article from WaPo that is technically true, but deeply misinformative about US electric markets. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
There’s a reason electricity prices are rising. And it’s not data centers.
It’s not data centers or AI, it’s something else.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A lot of Virginians will have seen the WaPo article and need this fix from energy wonk, Congressman Casten.
Also keep in mind our regulated electric monopoly has a rate case before our State Corporation Commission asking for an increased profit margin. 🧐
Also keep in mind our regulated electric monopoly has a rate case before our State Corporation Commission asking for an increased profit margin. 🧐
" Appalachian Power cited the addition of renewable power in its request to lower rates."
Evidence in Virginia that clean energy is cheaper. Don't let Dominion Energy build a single damn peaker plant on our watch, let alone six.
Evidence in Virginia that clean energy is cheaper. Don't let Dominion Energy build a single damn peaker plant on our watch, let alone six.
In a sea of rising power prices, these utilities are lowering their rates — and crediting a shift away from fossil fuels for the cuts.
The complicated reality behind rising power prices
Post-disaster repairs and continued fossil-fuel reliance aren’t helping power prices, but data centers may not spell doom after all.
www.canarymedia.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
" Appalachian Power cited the addition of renewable power in its request to lower rates."
Evidence in Virginia that clean energy is cheaper. Don't let Dominion Energy build a single damn peaker plant on our watch, let alone six.
Evidence in Virginia that clean energy is cheaper. Don't let Dominion Energy build a single damn peaker plant on our watch, let alone six.
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
The economics are clear: The push to build fossil fuels to power data centers is going to hurt people and one way to address that harm is by demanding these centers be built with clean, cheap, fast-to-build energy sources like wind and solar. From @profgalloway.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The economics are clear: The push to build fossil fuels to power data centers is going to hurt people and one way to address that harm is by demanding these centers be built with clean, cheap, fast-to-build energy sources like wind and solar. From @profgalloway.com
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Saturday voting hits different — farmers market, errands, vote - live your best civic life. 🍂
The next two Saturdays you can stop by multiple locations in Loudoun and Fauquier County and make your voice heard. Politics is local and we need you. Let’s protect the Piedmont!
The next two Saturdays you can stop by multiple locations in Loudoun and Fauquier County and make your voice heard. Politics is local and we need you. Let’s protect the Piedmont!
October 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
ICYMI "they could reduce [electricity] rates by 20% by 2030"
with
Batteries & Flexibility
From the corporations with all the $$$ and influence to make it happen, with supporting upgrades.
Meanwhile our utilities continue to push the lie that the answer is more (profitable) gas peaker plants.
with
Batteries & Flexibility
From the corporations with all the $$$ and influence to make it happen, with supporting upgrades.
Meanwhile our utilities continue to push the lie that the answer is more (profitable) gas peaker plants.
Big picture: Load growth isn’t the enemy — slow reform, grid congestion, and outdated market rules are. If data centers used power when there was excess capacity (95% of the time) and had to co-locate batteries or participate in demand flexibility they could reduce rates 20% by 2030.
October 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
ICYMI "they could reduce [electricity] rates by 20% by 2030"
with
Batteries & Flexibility
From the corporations with all the $$$ and influence to make it happen, with supporting upgrades.
Meanwhile our utilities continue to push the lie that the answer is more (profitable) gas peaker plants.
with
Batteries & Flexibility
From the corporations with all the $$$ and influence to make it happen, with supporting upgrades.
Meanwhile our utilities continue to push the lie that the answer is more (profitable) gas peaker plants.
Batteries: cleaner, cheaper, faster,
BETTER
"the battery will sit on the utility side of the meter. That means the utility can leverage the tech for other grid uses, like frequency management & capacity, when it’s not maintaining the flow of power to the data center during otherwise scarce hours."
BETTER
"the battery will sit on the utility side of the meter. That means the utility can leverage the tech for other grid uses, like frequency management & capacity, when it’s not maintaining the flow of power to the data center during otherwise scarce hours."
This data center will be built with battery storage — a first that will help it come online far sooner than if it had waited to connect to the grid.
In a first, a data center is using a big battery to get online faster
Aligned Data Centers will pay to build a 31-megawatt battery, an early example of how AI developers can move fast if they’re willing to be flexible.
www.canarymedia.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Batteries: cleaner, cheaper, faster,
BETTER
"the battery will sit on the utility side of the meter. That means the utility can leverage the tech for other grid uses, like frequency management & capacity, when it’s not maintaining the flow of power to the data center during otherwise scarce hours."
BETTER
"the battery will sit on the utility side of the meter. That means the utility can leverage the tech for other grid uses, like frequency management & capacity, when it’s not maintaining the flow of power to the data center during otherwise scarce hours."