During the most recent heat wave – when we experienced air temperatures that reached close to 100 degrees – our electric grid was pushed to the brink to ensure that brownouts/blackouts did not jeopardize the lives of Virginia residents. And as proven in past extended extreme weather events, carbon-free energy production alone – as required by law by year 2050 in the Democrat-supported Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) – will not be sufficient to protect the welfare and livelihood of Virginia residents unless the Commonwealth quickly expands the production of nuclear power.
Contrary to the beliefs of some VCEA supporters, solar and wind power are not always at their most efficient during periods of extreme heat. For example, the weather phenomenon we recently experienced (called a “heat dome”) traditionally establishes calm air that is insufficient to spin wind turbines. The still air caused by this particular weather event rendered wind power relatively ineffective for periods of time. Solar power was generally at its most effective during the brightest portions of midday, but during the evening, homes and businesses remained warm and required massive amounts of energy to cool, even after the sun went down. So, while common sense may lead one to believe that solar energy is needed less on a hot day once the sun goes down, in real-world applications, the electricity that homes and businesses require can be just as great. In other words – wind and solar power can have glaring limitations in meeting our demand when it is at its greatest. And while it is true that solar and wind power are currently a relatively small part of Virginia’s electricity generation portfolio, these facts should be seriously considered any time a policy is promoted that seeks to completely eliminate traditional methods of power generation – such as the VCEA. As demonstrated during this past weather event, natural gas was the generation method best equipped to quickly respond to fluctuating energy demands throughout a given day.
This does not mean that the Commonwealth should completely turn its back on renewable energy resources. In some cases, renewable energy makes sense as an enhancement to the grid. I believe Virginia should take advantage of a multitude of energy production methods to ensure that our needs are met at all times. But it also does not mean that the state should force localities to accept “green energy” projects where they are not wanted, which could very well be the case if Virginia is to meet the arbitrary requirements set by General Assembly Democrats in the VCEA. Many communities in rural Virginia are rightfully wary of proposals that would pave over vast acreages of land with solar panels or build massive wind turbine farms that sit atop our mountains.
General Assembly Democrats should not reject proven, reliable and traditional methods of electrical generation. In order to meet their demands made in the VCEA, all energy produced in Virginia must be made via carbon-free energy in less than 25 years. As of now, the Democrats’ increased reliance on solar and wind power to meet that objective is flawed policy that will fail Virginians in the years to come.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
