Powering the Future

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Powering the Future

• Wednesday, December 17, 2008

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Recent Highlights of Renewable Energy Public
Policy in VA

• SB 1416 Reregulation (2007)
• -12 Voluntary Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
  Goal by 2022
• The Virginia Energy Plan (2007)
• -20 Goal of Increased In-State Energy Production
  Through Renewable Sources
• The Tobacco Commission Energy Research Grants
  (2008)
• -Grant to Clean Energy Business Incubator Center,
  S. Boston
• -Grant to Sustainable Energy Technology Center,
  Danville
• The Virginia Energy Legislative Commission
  (2008)
• -Strong Endorsement of Biofuels

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Recent Highlights of Renewable Energy Public
Policy in VA, contd

• RENEW Virginia (Governor Kaines Initiative,
  2008)
• In todays economy, we can turn our energy
  challenges into an opportunity, Governor Kaine
  said. Our goal is to position the Commonwealth
  as a leader in alternative energy generation,
  energy conservation, and research and
  development. By developing a green energy
  industry here, we will not only move towards a
  more environmentally responsible approach to
  addressing our growing energy needs, but we will
  also help stimulate Virginias economy.
• The Governors Commission on Climate Change
  (2008)
• -13 Recommendations Related to Alternative
  Renewable Energy (Included in your packet of
  info)

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Recent Highlights of Renewable Energy Public
Policy in VA, contd Governor Kaines
Presentation to the Money Committees (Today)
-1 Million Individual Income Tax Credit Fund for
Solar and Wind Units -1 Million Corporate
Income Tax Credit Fund for Solar Wind -Sales
Tax Exemption For Residential Solar and Wind
Purchases Secretary Of Natural Resources,
Preston Bryants RTD Op-Ed (Today)
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Looking Ahead to 2009 in the Virginia General
Assembly

• General Assembly Session Convenes January 14
• -Governor Kaines Year of the Environment/RENEW
  Virginia Year
• -Legislation filed dealing with energy
  environmental issues (Gov. Kaines Legislative
  Agenda, Sen. Whipple, Sen. Wagner, Del. Hogan,
  etc.)
• -Massive Budget Shortfall 2.8B-3.5B

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Looking Ahead to 2009 with President Obama
Congress

• Economic Stimulus Package/Green Jobs
• Energy Czar Carol Browner to coordinate
  renewable policy from the White House
• Senator-Elect Mark Warner Congressman Eric
  Cantor will likely take point in the VA
  Congressional Delegation on renewable energy
  issues
• Federal RPS Goal
• -President Obama 10 by 2012 25 by 2025
• -Senate Energy Natural Resources Chair, Jeff
  Bingaman 15 by 2020
• Tax Credits Extension/Expansion

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The Need to Speak with a Unified Voice

• Silo Approach vs. Broad Industry Approach
• With Scarce Resources, Plan Strategically
• Constant Visibility is Essential

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Mission Statement

• The Virginia Alternative and Renewable Energy
  Association (VA-AREA) promotes the development,
  commercialization and use of alternative and
  renewable energy to foster business and
  legislative climates where renewable and
  alternative forms of energy are utilized to meet
  the Commonwealths growing energy demands while
  improving its economy, environment and
  sustainability.

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Goals Objectives

• Serve as a unified voice and organization
  representing the alternative and renewable energy
  producers, partners and industry in the
  Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Promote alternative and renewable energy
  development, commercialization and use in the
  Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Foster a business and legislative climate where
  alternative and renewable energy including
  hydroelectric, wind, solar, bio mass, bio fuels,
  tidal/current, geothermal, waste and hydrogen
  contribute to the economy through investments and
  job creation.

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Goals Objectives, contd

• Enhance the well-being and sustainability of
  Virginia's environment and valuable natural
  resources.
• Provide education, advice and support for policy
  makers, citizens and relevant state entities
  including the General Assembly, State Corporation
  Commission and Department of Environmental
  Quality, among others.
• Serve as a forum for members to share
  innovation, identify common objectives and
  discuss differences in policy.

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Goals Objectives, contd

• Develop positive relationships with key policy
  and decision makers and initiate a collaborative,
  coordinated approach to achieve alternative and
  renewable energy policies and industry objectives
  that generate a favorable business climate and
  foster growth.
• Encourage the establishment of strategic
  partnerships between the alternative and
  renewable energy industry, the Commonwealth of
  Virginia and its institutions of higher learning
  to promote research and development.
• Highlight the economic benefits, job and
  investment opportunities that the renewable and
  alternative energy industry contributes to
  Virginia.

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Goals Objectives, contd

• Identify barriers to the development and
  commercialization of alternative and renewable
  forms of energy in Virginia and develop solutions
  to address these challenges.
• Evaluate the progress of current voluntary
  Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals and
  invoke free-market competition to increase
  Virginia's voluntary RPS objectives.
• Monitor proposed legislation and regulations
  pertinent to the renewable and alternative energy
  industry, advocating for or against when
  necessary.

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Goals Objectives, contd

• Assist the Commonwealth in meeting the goals
  pertaining to renewable and alternative forms of
  energy as set forth by the Virginia Energy Plan
  and the Governors Commission on Climate Change.
• Work with Virginia's Congressional delegation to
  advance federal pro-growth policy recognizing
  that the federal government will play a vital
  role in the next decade as it explores
  opportunities to achieve energy independence.

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Benefits of Membership

• Representation of the industry before Virginias
  top policy makers and elected officials
• Weekly news clip summary with timely news and
  in-depth reports on emerging trends, developments
  and the status of public policy initiatives that
  advance the renewable and alternative energy
  industry
• Grassroots activity aimed at influencing
  legislators and making the industrys voice heard
• Talking points and background information useful
  for educating legislators and policy makers

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Benefits of Membership, contd

• Quarterly newsletter
• Access to members only Web site (under
  development)
• Free copy of the membership directory
• Companys listing in the membership directory
  and online
• Invitation to the Virginia Alternative and
  Renewable Energy Association (VA-AREA) annual
  conference

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Benefits of Membership, contd

• Discounted registration and exhibiting fees at
  the annual VA-AREA conference
• Numerous networking opportunities for companies
  to achieve greater exposure before the public and
  private sectors
• Expanded benefits and services as the
  association grows

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Membership Levels

• Academic/Non-Profit 250 (Educator, Researcher,
  Environmental Advocates, Local Governments,
  Academic/Research Institutions)
• Level 1 Membership 500 (Businesses with revenues
  under 5 Million)
• Level 2 Membership 1000 (Businesses with
  revenues under 100 Million, but over 5 Million)
  
• Level 3 Membership 2500 (Businesses with
  revenues under 1 Billion, but over 100 million)
  
• Level 4 Membership 5000 (Businesses with
  revenues under 2 Billion, but over 1 Billion)
• Level 5 Membership 7500 (Businesses with
  revenues over 2 Billion)

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Conclusion/Questions?www.va-area.org