A Study of Increased Use of Renewable Energy Resources in Virginia

The objective of this study, as requested by the Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Restructuring, was to review the current status and prospects for renewable energy in Virginia. The study reviews the current generation from renewables, the prospects for future resource development, renewable energy costs compared to fossil-fueled alternatives, incentives and impediments to the development of renewable energy, the economic impacts of renewable energy in Virginia, and environmental compliance considerations. This section summarizes the principal findings in each of these areas, and concludes with recommendations for further investigation and potential action. The complete analyses for each section are included as appendices to this report. Investigations of the topics were carried out by various experts under the general direction of Virginia Tech’s Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER). VCCER also contracted with Black & Veatch, a highly experienced energy consulting, engineering, and construction firm, to perform an independent review of the findings and assist with summarizing the key findings and recommendations for Virginia.