(The Center Square) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed multiple clean energy bills this session, as a new report ranked Virginia 23rd in the nation for energy affordability thanks to its diverse power mix.

A new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council credits Virginia’s relatively low electricity prices to its heavy reliance on natural gas and nuclear power, which together supply nearly 90% of the commonwealth’s energy.

The report shows that 56% of Virginia’s electricity comes from natural gas, followed by 32% from nuclear power and just 5% from solar and other renewables.

Despite that mix, lawmakers passed a slate of clean energy bills this session to expand solar access, improve energy planning and support low-income households. “Virginia’s energy policy framework includes a hat-trick of a Renewable Portfolio Standard, Cap-and-Trade policy, and a net metering policy,” the report states. “Despite these policies that encourage the adoption of solar energy by making it more economically viable for consumers, solar energy remains at only 5% of total electricity contribution.”

One of the vetoed proposals was House Bill 1935, which would have created a task force to improve access to energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization services for low-income households.

House Bill 2413 would have expanded Virginia’s utility planning process by requiring more public input, longer-term forecasting and clean energy considerations. Youngkin vetoed it, arguing the State Corporation Commission already has authority over those plans.

Senate Bill 823 also would have required utilities like Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power to submit detailed workforce development plans when building renewable energy facilities, “giving priority to the hiring, apprenticeship, and training of local workers, workers from historically economically disadvantaged communities, and veterans.”

House Bill 1616 would have created a workforce development program to support offshore wind jobs in Hampton Roads, but the governor rejected it, saying the bill duplicated existing efforts.

House Bill 2537, which would raise Virginia’s energy storage targets and require the development of local model ordinances, remains under review after lawmakers rejected the governor’s proposed substitute. He now has until May 2 to take final action.

House Bill 1883, which updates renewable portfolio standard rules for Dominion Energy and clarifies what qualifies as solar energy under state law, is also awaiting final action after lawmakers rejected the governor’s proposed changes. He has until May 2 to approve, veto, or amend the bill again.

At the same time, Dominion Energy is seeking approval to build a $4.5 billion natural gas plant in Chesterfield County, drawing criticism that it could lock Virginians into decades of higher energy costs. 

(The Center Square) – As graduation season approaches, high school seniors may be weighing their future education and career plans, a pair of congressmen want to ensure the military is included.

Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., have introduced bipartisan legislation, the Engaging Next-General Leaders in Information about Service and Training Act. The acronym is ENLIST.

The lawmakers argue that military recruitment materials are “often left behind,” unlike college brochures and career fair materials that litter high school hallways. The pair want to ensure that military recruitment materials receive “equal space,” allowing students to weigh all their future options, including the opportunity to serve in the military.

Kiggans, a Navy veteran, Navy spouse, and mother, knows firsthand the opportunities serving in the military can provide and hopes high schoolers can explore the benefits of serving.

“When America’s high school students are weighing their post-graduation options and deciding their future, they deserve to understand every potential path,” said Kiggans. “My ENLIST Act ensures that students see military service as a viable and honorable path after graduation –right alongside college and the workforce. This bipartisan legislation is about fairness, visibility, and giving our next generation the full picture of how they can lead, grow, and serve their country.”

The legislation would “require secondary schools to display and make accessible information regarding military recruiting during school hours,” reinforcing current law guaranteeing military recruiters equal access to schools as colleges and potential employers.

The lawmakers say “federal law mandates access for military recruiters in schools receiving federal funds,” although they say “many schools fall short” of promoting military recruitment materials.

A release from Kiggan’s office says that around 70,000 people enlist in the Armed Forces each year, adding that about half are recent high school graduates.

Despite concerns from lawmakers that the military may be overlooked, recruitment numbers indicate otherwise.

The two largest branches of the military, the Army and Navy, reported they had exceeded recruitment goals for the Fiscal Year 2024, with 55,150 recruited for the Army and the Navy signing 40,978 recruits, marking the Navy’s “most significant recruiting achievement in 20 years,” according to the Department of the Navy.