How Virginia Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets

Virginia can achieve nearly one-third of its required emission reductions between 2012 and 2030 through planned coal retirements and clean energy investments. To close the remaining gap and surpass targets, the state can pursue a 10 percent reduction in electricity consumption by 2022, a 15 percent renewable energy goal by 2025, and increased utilization of its existing natural gas fleet to 75 percent capacity. The document suggests that adopting a market-based carbon pricing program with a $10 per short ton price for interstate allowances could generate over $100 million in annual revenue between 2022 and 2030. Additionally, robust energy efficiency policies could increase Virginia's GDP by $286 million and add 38,000 jobs by 2030.

• Planned coal retirements and clean energy investments will account for nearly one-third of the emission reductions Virginia needs to meet its mass-based target between 2012 and 2030.
• Virginia can surpass its Clean Power Plan targets by meeting its voluntary energy efficiency goal of 10 percent below 2006 levels by 2022, its renewable portfolio standard goal of 15 percent by 2025, and by running existing natural gas plants at 75 percent capacity.
• Implementing a market-based carbon pricing program with a $10 per short ton price for interstate emissions allowances could provide Virginia with more than $100 million in average annual revenue from 2022 to 2030.
• According to Virginia's 2014 Energy Plan, strong energy efficiency policies have the potential to increase the state's GDP by $286 million and create 38,000 jobs by 2030.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). How Virginia Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets. https://www.wri.org/research/how-virginia-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets

Chicago

World Resources Institute. How Virginia Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/how-virginia-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=How Virginia Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets |url=https://www.wri.org/research/how-virginia-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendhow, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{How Virginia Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/how-virginia-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }