Sign the petition for energy reform in Virginia and receive periodic updates on the progress of the campaign.
Our current regulatory structure for Virginia’s electric grid stifles innovation, keeps energy bills high, and incentivizes utilities to invest in costly new infrastructure whether it actually benefits customers or not. Policy reforms are needed to create a modern, 21st century grid that lowers prices, increases choices for ratepayers, and improves the environment, all while maintaining reliability.
WE THE UNDERSIGNED CALL ON OUR ELECTED AND CIVIC LEADERS ACROSS VIRGINIA TO:
Establish a well-designed, competitive retail electricity market. Competitive retail electricity markets have been established in several states, leading to greater consumer choice, reduced energy bills, and higher levels of innovation.
Establish an independent grid operator. To eliminate conflicts of interest, an independent grid operator with no financial stake in the grid infrastructure or the competitive markets should operate the electric distribution system.
Establish streamlined and uniform interconnection standards. In Virginia today, utilities impose inappropriate restrictions on distributed energy resources, including facility- and system-wide size limitations and punitive interconnection charges.
Implement performance-based regulation. Virginia should correct its broken regulatory framework by switching to performance-based regulation (PBR), which ties the amount utilities can charge customers to the achievement of key outcomes such as reliability, cost and customer satisfaction.
Establish a low-income bill assistance and weatherization program. Low-income customers cannot escape spending a far higher percentage of their income on energy bills than the average customer. With the introduction of a competitive retail electricity market, low-income customers should be provided with a better safety net.
Implement an “all-cost-effective” energy efficiency standard. An independent distribution grid operator should implement an all-cost-effective energy efficiency resource standard by (1) assessing whether all of the cost-effective energy efficiency resources are being deployed across its system, and (2) soliciting private sector bids to remedy any significant discrepancy.
Ensure additional consumer protections and education. As 21st century technology deploys, customers will own the data associated with their electricity service. Customers should determine if and how that data is shared. Consumer education programs will be needed to ensure consumers understand how the new system works and what products and rates are available.
Fully integrate grids, markets, and operations. The independent distribution grid operator should enable the transmission and distribution systems to operate seamlessly, rather than separately. The two principal goals are integrated system operations between the wholesale and retail levels and seamless pricing.
Phase out wholesale capacity markets. Capacity markets are no longer necessary in the 21st century, given the availability of more flexible and distributed energy resources, as well as the information technology that allows customers to respond to prices easily and nearly automatically.