VACo County Pulse Podcast

• Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems

  Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy SystemsDistrict Energy Systems are a proven engineering solution that conveys heat between suppliers and users, between or among buildings. Excess heat generated by the multitude of data centers located Virginia provides an opportunity to supply heat to adjoining uses, thereby reducing overall energy consumption within what is known as a District Energy System. Joe Lerch talks with Executive Director Bob Lazaro  and Senior Regional Planner Dale Medearis with Northern Virginia Regional Commission, about their longstanding work on promoting the use of District Energy Systems as part of an overall energy savings and efficiency strategy for the region. We’ll learn how leaders in the data center industry are making this happen, and what local governments can do to facilitate the use of excess heat from their operations.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeDistrict Energy Supported by Excess Heat from Data Centers – NVRC Site Visit Markham, CanadaDistrict Energy and the Potential for Applications in Northern Virginia – NVRC webinar/October 22, 2024NVRC Resilience HubData Center Proximity to Public Facilities (interactive map)District Energy Systems: An Analysis of Virginia Law

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• Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 9 | Solar by the Numbers – Facts and Figures

  Joe Lerch talks with Aaron Berryhill, Solar Program Manager with Virginia Department of Energy on the latest numbers in Virginia for solar installations. We cover a wide range of sources that inform how much utility-scale, community-scale, and rooftop solar has been installed in the Commonwealth.For information and assistance contact:Aaron Berryhill Solar Program Manager Virginia Department of Energy [email protected]: 804.486.2754 / Cell: 804.839.6978 Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeVirginia Energy – Solar Power Webpage U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – Electricity Data Virginia Solar Database – University of Virginia | Weldon Cooper Center for Public ServiceUpdated Utility-Scale Solar Land Use Report (2025)Solar and wind power curtailments are rising in California – EIA, October, 2023 online articleAccelerated Renewable Energy Buyers – Dominion Energy Certification Process

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• Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 8 | Virginia General Assembly Update – Legislation on Data Centers and Utility-Scale Solar

  Joe Lerch and VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch provide an update on the status of legislation relating to Data Centers and Utility-Scale Solar.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeJLARC "Data Centers in Virginia" ReportHB 1601/SB 1449 – Siting of Data Centers; Site AssessmentHouse Budget Amendment – Extends the sunset date for sales tax exemption for data centers from 2035 to 2050Senate Budget Amendment – Requires data center operators to meet energy efficiency standards to qualify for sales tax exemptionCapitol Contact ALERT: VACo Opposes Bill Mandating Targets for Utility-Scale Solar in Comprehensive Plans (January 29, 2025)Bills to Mandate Counties put State Targets for Utility-Scale Solar in Comprehensive Plans Fail (February 4, 2025)Action Item: Oppose Bill to Mandate Statewide Standards for Solar Facilities (February 13, 2025)

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• Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 7 | “Data Centers in Virginia” JLARC Report – Interview with Mark Gribbin

  “Data Centers in Virginia” JLARC Report – Interview with Mark GribbinIn this episode we sit down with Mark Gribbin, Chief Legislative Analyst with the  Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC). He is the project leader for JLARC’s “Data Centers in Virginia” report, which was released December 9th. We go over a summary of the report’s findings regarding the economic benefits to Virginia, as well as what challenges lay ahead in regard to meeting the escalating energy demand from the continued growth of the industry. We also discuss the report’s legislative recommendations and policy options, some of which include expressly authorizing local governments to address issues related to water usage and noise.RESOURCESJLARC “Data Centers in Virginia” ReportElectric Utilities and Data Center Load Growth – Case Summary for SCC PUR-2024-00144

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• Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 6 | Legislative Outlook Update - Proposals to Preempt County Authority on Siting of Solar Facilities

  Joe Lerch and VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch provide an update on solar industry lobbying efforts to preempt local authority on siting of utility-scale facilities and what VACo and its members will be doing to ensure this does not happen.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeCommission on Electric Utility Regulation Meeting Page (see 11/26/2024 and click “Materials” for drop down menu)Proposed Legislative Outline for Facility Siting and Permitting CEUR November 26, 2024 meeting videoUVA Virginia Solar Database

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