ABINGDON, Va. and RICHMOND, Va., Sept.
13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nature Conservancy and
Dominion Energy Virginia today announced an innovative
collaboration to develop one of the first utility-scale solar
projects on former surface mines in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia.
The Highlands Solar project will repurpose roughly 1,200 acres
of the former Red Onion surface mine
and surrounding properties in Wise
and Dickenson Counties. The
project will generate approximately 50 megawatts of solar energy,
enough to power 12,500 homes at peak output, as well as bring
additional benefits to the area, such as an increase in local tax
revenues, the ability to provide additional funding through Solar
Siting Agreements, and the creation of clean energy jobs.
"This project is a huge win for Southwest Virginia's economy," said
Ed Baine, President of Dominion
Energy Virginia. "It's also another major step toward building a
100 percent clean energy economy in Virginia. Repurposing former coal mines for
solar is a smart way to enhance the region's economy and bring
renewables to Southwest
Virginia."
Today's announcement comes two months after The Nature
Conservancy announced a similar effort to construct solar on former
mined lands with Charlottesville,
Virginia-based Sun Tribe, and Washington, D.C.-based Sol Systems. Taking all
three companies' efforts together, the utility-scale solar projects
within the Cumberland Forest Project will cover nearly 1,700 acres
and generate an estimated 120 megawatts of solar
energy.
"Southwest Virginia and the
wider Central Appalachian coalfields have an important role to play
in the renewable energy economy," said Brad
Kreps, director of The Nature Conservancy's Clinch Valley
Program. "Some of the region's former mined lands are well suited
for solar development and by directing development towards these
areas it will help us conserve the region's intact forests for wood
products, carbon storage, wildlife habitats, outdoor recreation and
tourism. By collaborating with Dominion Energy and other companies
on these initial projects, we hope to develop a model that can be
replicated in other coal mining regions across the U.S."
The Highlands Solar project will be developed within the
Cumberland Forest Project and surrounding properties. Managed by
The Nature Conservancy and owned by its Cumberland Forest, LP
impact investment fund, the Cumberland Forest Project was announced
in 2019 and encompasses nearly 253,000 acres of land in
Southwest Virginia, Eastern Tennessee, and Eastern Kentucky. The vast majority of the
property is designated for the protection and restoration of native
forests. However, there are several thousand acres of non-forested,
former surface coal mines that can support solar energy projects
and local economic development with minimal impacts to the
environment.
Over the next two to three years, Dominion Energy will conduct
additional field studies, further develop the project plans, and
complete the local and state permitting processes. The company will
jointly develop the project with ANTARES Group, which will serve as
the owner's engineer. The company plans to begin construction in
2024 or 2025, subject to review and approval by the Virginia State
Corporation Commission.
In addition to reinvesting in Southwest Virginia's economy, the project will
support the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which calls
for Dominion Energy Virginia to produce its electricity from 100
percent carbon-free sources by 2045.
"Virginia has set important and
ambitious goals to produce clean, affordable energy while growing
its economy," said Virginia
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian
Ball. "Southwest Virginia
has long been an energy leader, and the pursuit of solar projects
on former mined lands represents an exciting new chapter and
important opportunity for the region's economic
diversification."
The project will also advance the goals of legislation sponsored
by Delegate Terry Kilgore in the
2021 General Assembly Session, which encouraged the redevelopment
of former mined lands and brownfields as sites for renewable energy
projects.
"For generations Southwest
Virginia's coalfields have powered America's homes and our
economy," said Delegate Terry
Kilgore. "As we transition to cleaner energy, Southwest Virginia is once again leading the
way. I'm excited to see The Nature Conservancy, Dominion Energy,
and other solar developers investing in our region and helping to
pave the way for the next generation of economic progress in
Southwest Virginia."
The Highlands Solar and other projects in Southwest Virginia will help advance the work
The Nature Conservancy has been pursuing around the country,
including in neighboring West
Virginia, through its "Mining the Sun" initiative to
demonstrate the win-win potential of renewable energy development
on previously disturbed lands.
Other state and local leaders applauded today's
announcement:
State Senator Todd
Pillion: "I am excited about this new chapter for
Southwest Virginia. The innovative
partnership between The Nature Conservancy and Dominion Energy will
help open new doors to our workforce and provide new opportunities
for economic development throughout our region."
J.H. Rivers, Chairman, Wise
County Board of Supervisors: "This is great news
for our county. Dominion Energy and The Nature Conservancy are
long-time partners with Wise
County, who have supported our community through economic
development and cleaning up our watershed."
Josh Evans, Chairman,
Dickenson County Board of
Supervisors: "On behalf of the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, we are
excited and grateful to see this investment by Dominion
Energy. We are proud to highlight our century long
contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation by our coal miners.
This new opportunity presents a chance for us continue to support
our coal sector as well as diversify our tax base and provide
increased revenues for our schools and law enforcement."
Photo and video of the proposed Highlands Solar site are
available for download here.
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the
lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we
create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest
challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are
tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an
unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and
helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we
use a collaborative approach that engages local communities,
governments, the private sector, and other partners. Learn more
about The Nature Conservancy's work in Virginia at nature.org/virginia and follow us
on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
About Dominion Energy
More than 7 million
customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with
electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy
(NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The
company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and
safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane
emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure
operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn
more.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy