The Issues

Energy Freedom

Does Spending $62 Billion on Utility Batteries Lower Your Cost of Electricity? Of Course Not

The 2026 General Assembly is likely to amend the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) to greatly expand the construction of utility-scale batteries for our electric grid. Based on the current prices...

Stephen D. Haner
December 10, 2025

The SCC Decides: Dominion’s Rates and Profits Go Up, New Rules on Data Centers

The massive data centers behind a growing energy crunch in Virginia will begin to pay substantially more for electricity in Dominion Energy’s territory, but not until 2027. The State Corporation...

Stephen D. Haner
December 3, 2025

Approval of Gas Generation Plant Divides Two Big Donors Who Helped Democrats Win

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) was able to approve Dominion Energy Virginia’s application for a needed natural gas generation facility because the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) includes a safety...

Stephen D. Haner
December 1, 2025

SCC Notes Growing Cost of VCEA Compliance,Rejects One Project, Makes a Second Contingent

Citing the high cost, the Virginia State Corporation Commission on Friday denied a request to add a battery project to the Appalachian Power Company grid. In the same decision, an out-of-state...

Jefferson Forum
November 24, 2025

Enhanced Democratic Trifecta in Richmond Grants Them Control Over Energy Policy

The return of the political trifecta Democrats enjoyed during the 2020 and 2021 General Assembly sessions – now bolstered with a 64-36 majority in the House of Delegates – leaves...

Stephen D. Haner
November 7, 2025

Behind the Rallies, Slogans and Rhetoric, Clean Virginia Pushes Its Energy Agenda with Voters

“The energy bills are…” shouts the emcee on the stage. “Too damn high,” comes the immediate response from a crowded meeting room in the east end of Richmond, October 16....

Stephen D. Haner
October 19, 2025

The Virginia Clean Economy Act is Causing Higher Electricity Prices, Not the Data Centers

No, Virginia, we cannot blame the data centers. The impact of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) on rising electricity bills is more significant and destined to grow. With the...

Stephen D. Haner
September 26, 2025

Election 2025: Virginia’s Energy Future Is on the Ballot: Will Voters Choose Reliability or Risk?

For several years now, Virginians have been told that the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) is necessary to save Virginia and is a necessary step to save the planet. We’ve been told...

Derrick A. Max
September 14, 2025

Cost of Democrat-Supported Carbon Tax Reaches $500 Million Per Year

Based on the most recent carbon tax imposed on the member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Virginians will pay about $500 million more per year for electricity if Virginia...

Stephen D. Haner
September 6, 2025

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.