I've installed PV (photovoltaic) in Hawaii - personal friends with a contractor there that does this still today.  I've installed larger PV clusters on a single family home than what is in that picture.

I realize it's probably just a stock picture, but for people who know about PV it's not very inspiring.  It may run a single office in a building that size.

I would feel much better about energy initiatives if they resulted in REAL solutions.  We are talking thousands of acres of PV panels, wind turbines, and of course net metering laws.  Not to mention alternative energy power plants.

Sorry to butt in, but that picture just caught my eye.  I hope what they are proposing is bold - not just small steps that will appease the ignorant masses.  

I would have a consumption tax on incandescent lightbulbs, and sell compact florescents tax free.  There is a 5% savings in energy right there.  Do the same for major appliances - tax the inneficient and don't tax the efficient.

Have stricter building codes that require 5 star insulation.  Huge power loss is in homes that are built like barns.

Allow people to tie into the grid and pay them when the meter runs the other direction (the same amount charged for energy use).  I'm not sure about Virginia's net metering laws, but that is something you guys should check into.

These are all things the state, county, and city governments can do right now.  These are affordable solutions that will result in almost instant results.

Everyone needs either an energy efficient water heater (tankless) or they need a timer on the traditionaly heater so it is off when not in use.  There is no reason to heat water if people are at work.  And no reason to heat it after you have your nightly showers.  That is a $100 cost, but will pay for itself in a year.  

The other thing everyone needs - another simple one - is to replace those old fashioned thermostats with electronic ones.  Most new homes have electronic ones, but if not it's only $50 for a new one and you can install yourself.  Make sure you set it for efficient settings.

Another quick and easy fix - seal all of your doors with weather stripping.

Office buildings should consider light switches with motion detectors.  No need for the lights to be on if the room isn't in use.

Seriously, if we just had a campaign on making your home and office more energy efficient and provided enough incentives I think we could easily reduce net power consumption by 10% almost overnight.  There are simple and affordable things we can all do now.

Elections have consequences, and because we sent Chap back to Richmond, we now have a strong environmental advocate to do the heavy lifting on bills like this.  

Virginia is indeed way behind on energy issues -- kudos to CCAN and Chap for their efforts to begin the long process of catching our state up.

Does anyone have a link to any site where I can access the text of this Act?  Can't find it yet on Richmond Sunlight by plugging in the name of the Act.  Thanks.

n/t

It's about time someone stood up and declared that when it comes to Virginia and energy/efficiency, the emperor has no clothes. There's so much low-hanging fruit that we've left unpicked, it's ridiculous. Good luck, Chap!