PR Newswire
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
