From the 2026 session to what’s next: Expanding our work in Virginia

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) reports on the 2026 Virginia legislative session, highlighting progress in diversifying the electricity portfolio, modernizing procurement, and improving infrastructure siting. Key achievements include the state's planned reentry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by July 1, 2026, and the creation of a Chief Energy Officer position. CATF argues that while these targeted improvements are constructive, Virginia must further modernize its Clean Economy Act (VCEA) to better integrate clean firm resources and manage rising electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing.

• Virginia's 2026 legislative session focused on targeted improvements in planning, siting, and infrastructure to address rising electricity demand driven by advanced manufacturing, electrification, and data centers.
• Several specific legislative actions were supported by CATF to modernize energy frameworks: HB 429/SB 249 to update the Integrated Resource Planning process, HB 369/SB 598 to allow large customers to procure zero-carbon electricity via the Accelerated Clean Energy Buyers program, and HB 711/SB 347 to establish statewide solar development standards.
• Virginia is scheduled to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state carbon trading market, by July 1, 2026, to reduce power sector emissions and generate revenue for flood resilience and energy efficiency.
• The state established a new Chief Energy Officer appointee position to coordinate energy policy across agencies and align energy planning with economic development.
• CATF identifies the need for future comprehensive updates to the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) to improve grid planning, transmission development, and the integration of clean firm resources.

APA

Kell, R. (2026). From the 2026 session to what’s next: Expanding our work in Virginia. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2026/05/2026-session-whats-next-expanding-work-virginia/

Chicago

Kell, Robert. From the 2026 session to what’s next: Expanding our work in Virginia. Clean Air Task Force, 2026. https://www.catf.us/2026/05/2026-session-whats-next-expanding-work-virginia/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Kell |first1=Robert |title=From the 2026 session to what’s next: Expanding our work in Virginia |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=6 May 2026 |url=https://www.catf.us/2026/05/2026-session-whats-next-expanding-work-virginia/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{kell2026from, author = {Kell, Robert}, title = {{From the 2026 session to what’s next: Expanding our work in Virginia}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://www.catf.us/2026/05/2026-session-whats-next-expanding-work-virginia/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }