Executive Director Appointed by the Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Regulation • Virginia Mercury

The Virginia commission tasked with reviewing energy-related legislative proposals now has an executive director after announcing the hiring of a member of the Virginia Department of Energy for the position.

Carrie Hearne of Richmond will serve as executive director Commission on the Electricity Services Regulation in the next month. She will assume this position after five years at Virginia Energy, where she served as director of affordability and competitiveness.

“This is a pivotal moment for Virginia’s clean energy transition, all powered by electricity demand is growing,” Hearne said in a statement. “The political and regulatory landscape has a profound impact on whether and how energy projects will be implemented in Virginia to ensure a reliable, affordable and clean energy system.”

Sen. Scott Surovel, D-Fairfax — committee chairman who animated through legislation in 2023 after years of dormancy – noted Hearne’s experience working for the state under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

“From increases in energy load and demand to decarbonization and grid modernization, Virginia will face a number of energy challenges that must be addressed in the coming years,” Surowell said in a statement. “Carrie brings extensive energy policy experience in the public and private sectors.”

The Commission on Energy Utility Regulation (CEUR) reviews requests to amend Virginia’s energy laws and regulations.

Currently, Virginia’s most comprehensive law governing electricity generation at the state’s two largest utilities, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company, is Virginia Clean Economy Actwhich came under Democratic control in 2020 and aims to decarbonize the electricity grid by 2050.

Since the passage of the VCEA, which sets goals for increasing electricity generation from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, several lawmakers have introduced measures to change the laws and regulations governing electric utilities. These efforts did not advance through the legislative process.

The proposed changes included a bill from last session by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, requiring towns to consider proposals to convert land for photovoltaic purposes, provided that the land covered with panels will occupy no more than 4% of the total area of ​​the town. But members of the subcommittee of the Committee of Delegates of the House of Delegates for Counties, Cities and Municipalities voted continuing the legislation until 2025, asking CEUR to review it further due to the impact it may have on land use for localities.

Other proposals submitted to CEUR in recent years included an option for Dominion to purchase the next required amount of offshore electricity wind electricity from a third party – a bill that supporters say could lower costs. However, the utility said it has moved away from the current regulated oversight currently in place for the $9.8 Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind facility design off the coast of Virginia Beach.

CEUR is also responsible for creating payer impact statements, reviewing Dominion and Appalachian Power’s integrated resources Plans — non-binding documents on long-term planning for future utility investments, as well as receiving updates from the State Corporation Commission, which oversees Virginia utilities.

In December, CEUR heard a presentation from the U.S. Department of Energy on the topic loans to finance clean energy projects if the state created a State Energy Financing Authority, a program that would be created under Surowell’s legislation this session, which was held vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The governor released his energy plan in 2022 calling for the continued use of natural gas and new forms of nuclear energy.

Glenn Davis, former legislator chosen Youngkin as director of the Virginia Department of Energy, said Hearne “played a key role” in the state receiving an “unprecedented amount of federal grant dollars,” including $156 million through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All program program.

“She is a strong choice as CEUR’s executive director, and I look forward to working with her in her new position,” Davis said.

Tarah Kesterson, a spokeswoman for Virginia Energy, said the agency will “very soon” post the vacancy created by Hearne’s hiring on its website and social media.

“This is a critical role for our state energy office and for this agency,” Kesterson said.

Another new member of the committee is Josephus Allmond, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Allmond joins Cassidy Rasnick and Howard Shafferman as the remaining citizen members serving on the board alongside legislative members.