The Issues

Energy Freedom

Is Fairfax Positioning To Move Against Gas?

It was a Richmond City Council resolution back in the fall, expressing a desire to shut down its municipal natural gas utility, that triggered pending (and now struggling) Virginia legislation to prevent...

Stephen D. Haner
March 8, 2022

Repeal of VCEA, RGGI, EV Mandates Pass House, Face Hostile Senate

Virginia’s House of Delegates Republicans have passed a series of bills retreating from Virginia’s rush toward a fossil-fuel free future, but they were party-line votes and Democrats in the Virginia...

Stephen D. Haner
February 17, 2022

Energy Reform Agenda Inspires Multiple Pending Bills

The highest priority on a Virginia energy reform agenda proposed a few weeks ago was restoring State Corporation Commission oversight over decisions on massive renewable energy investments.  Under current law,...

Stephen D. Haner
January 31, 2022

A Change in Wind Direction on Virginia Energy Policy?

“The Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality, shall analyze the life cycle of renewable energy facilities, including solar, wind, and battery storage components. The analysis...

Stephen D. Haner
January 20, 2022

A Regulatory Path to Repeal the RGGI Carbon Tax

Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) will proceed to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative carbon tax compact by the same route Virginia entered it:  He will push to repeal...

Stephen D. Haner
January 18, 2022

Time To Reform Virginia’s Energy Policies

Dominion Energy Virginia’s November announcement that its proposed offshore wind project has jumped almost 25% in cost to $10 billion, with years to go before construction even starts, has put...

Stephen D. Haner
January 7, 2022

Dominion Trims Clean Energy Conversion Cost By Removing Reliable Power from Its Plan

The projected consumer cost of Dominion Energy Virginia’s conversion to wind and solar power rises steeply in the utility’s latest capital spending plan.  Although slightly reduced from earlier estimates, the...

Stephen D. Haner
December 28, 2021

How California Now Controls Virginia Auto Market

Virginia’s automotive sales market is now officially controlled in Sacramento, with the likelihood that no new internal combustion engines can be sold in the Commonwealth after 2035. The Virginia Air...

Stephen D. Haner
December 10, 2021

Youngkin to Withdraw from RGGI, End Carbon Tax

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin told a business group audience Wednesday afternoon that he intends to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. His decision came two days after Dominion Energy Virginia...

Stephen D. Haner
December 8, 2021

Jefferson Forum concentrates on policies that affect everyday life in Virginia

Economic Freedom

Lower taxes and fewer regulations

Education Freedom

More choices for Virginia families

Energy Freedom

Reliable, affordable energy

Worker Freedom

Protecting Virginia’s right-to-work tradition

These are the building blocks of a more competitive and prosperous Virginia.