Virginia is charging back into the energy spotlight, fueled by billions in investments, the world’s first commercial fusion plant, and a governor betting big on an all-of-the-above strategy.
In the past month, the Commonwealth has come under the exploration of private energy companies and the federal government to expand energy production.
In the beginning of September, Governor Youngkin announced the almost half a billion dollar investment from Hitachi Energy company. The company is looking to add over 800 new jobs as a part of its $1 billion U.S. expansion. This move comes as the continuation of Governor Youngkin’s All-American, All-of-the-Above Energy Plan. New power plants have also been a point of emphasis with citizens as the AI and Data Farm landscape expands and demands more power.
This has sparked moves by several new moves by energy companies to try and establish a foothold in Virginia for energy. Certain areas of Virginia have become targets for power development. “The proposed projects range from a 1,200-acre resort in Tazewell County to a 4,200-square-foot veterinarian clinic in Wise County. Once these projects are completed, they will create jobs, attract visitors and build infrastructure to ensure the state’s economic growth, Gov. Glenn Youngkin stated in a press release.
History has been made in Chesterfield County, with Governor Youngkin signing off on the construction of the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. It will have the ability to power about 150,000 homes, and create “hundreds of jobs.” (RELATED: Virginia Is Running a Surplus, So Why Is the Gas Tax Still High?)
“Commonwealth Fusion Systems is not just building a facility, they are pioneering groundbreaking innovation to generate clean, reliable, safe power, and it’s happening right here in Virginia. We are proud to be home to this pursuit to change the future of energy and power,” said Governor Youngkin.
Virginia has also seen the attempt of expansion of solar farms. The possible solar farm in Mecklenburg County has been re-introduced back to the Board of Supervisors.
A second 121-acre solar farm was planned to be built in Franklin County and join the Appalachian Power Co. transmission system. However, the project was voted down 5-1 by the Board of Supervisors. (RELATED: Hitachi Energy to Invest $457M in Virginia Plant, Creating 825 Jobs)
Republican Winsome Earle-Sears also back Governor Youngkins “all of the above” approach. “We will use clean coal, oil, renewables, nuclear, natural gas,” Earle-Sears said. “That’s a national security issue. The rogue nations of this world are not just going to do solar, and they’re not just going to do wind,” said Earle-Sears in an interview with Newsmax.