Virginia’s Mandatory Utility Green Power Option

About the Program

Green power options allow customers to voluntarily buy “green power” from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Today, utilities across 47 US states offer green power options. Some states such as Virginia require that utilities offer voluntary green power programs. While customers may have to pay a premium for green power, some areas of the state offer green power packages at a lower cost than conventional utility programs. 

In April 2007, the state of Virginia passed legislation (S.B. 1416) allowing electricity customers based in Virginia to buy 100% of renewable, green energy (such as solar) directly from their utility. In the case that your utility company doesn’t offer a program that completely reaches the green energy requirement, you will be able to buy renewable energy from other licensed suppliers. 

What are “Green Energy” Sources?

company, provides customers with programs that completely reach the green energy requirements.

Eligible sources of electricity production that are considered “green” include:

• Geothermal Electric
• Solar Thermal Electric
• Solar Photovoltaics
• Wind (All)
• Biomass
• Hydroelectric
• Municipal Solid Waste
• Landfill Gas
• Tidal
• Wave
• Anaerobic Digestion

Investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and cooperative utilities are all eligible to provide these types of energy to their customers.