Division of Legislative Services > Legislative Record > 2008 |
Manufacturing Development CommissionAugust 22, 2008The first meeting of 2008 was held at the McDemmond Center at Norfolk State University. Presentations Stephen A.
Walz, Senior Adviser for Energy Policy, Office of the Governor The cost of electricity is at its highest at peak demand. Mr. Walz stated that demand response, or reducing electricity use during peak demand, reduces the average cost per kilowatt hour. Utilities and companies have developed programs for off-peak pricing and emergency load shedding. The State Corporation Commission's 2007 energy efficiency study made recommendations relating to a statewide goal for capacity reduction, utility demand response programs with cost recovery, real-time or near real-time rate pricing, incentives for demand response programs, use of curtailment service providers, and defining emergencies for backup generator use. Between 1960 and 2005, industrial energy use in the Commonwealth increased at a rate of 2.2 percent per year (greater than the national average of 1.1 percent per year for the same period); however, between 1990 and 2005, industrial energy use in the Commonwealth increased at a rate of 0.5 percent per year (greater than the national average of 0.2 percent per year for the same period). Save Energy Now is a program of the United States Department of Energy to reduce industrial energy use by 25 percent over the next 10 years. Mr. Walz also discussed the Virginia Energy Plan, which sets a target to reduce the anticipated growth rate of energy use by 40 percent. The Plan has a goal of reducing electric use by 10 percent, natural gas consumption by 7 percent, and the consumption of fuel oils by 10 percent. Tim Wilkins,
Virginia Coastal Energy Resource Consortium subcontractor
Mr. Wilkins explained that if there is no reduction in demand for electricity through conservation by 2016, then approximately 5,100 MW of new electricity generation will be needed to maintain electricity imports into Virginia at current levels. If conservation efforts account for a 6-7 percent energy savings by 2016, then approximately 3,600 MW of new electricity generation will be needed to maintain electricity imports at current levels. Additionally, 1,985 MW of additional generation is anticipated by 2012 from currently planned projects. After taking into consideration conservation efforts and currently planned projects, Mr. Wilkins projected that an additional 1,600 MW of new electricity generation will be needed from projects that are not currently identified in order to maintain electricity imports into Virginia at current levels. Norfolk State University and Science Applications International Corporation are preparing a report that will address the timetables and economic development impact to harness offshore wind potential. Mr. Wilkins estimated that the total capital investment to produce 2,000 MW of installed offshore wind capacity is $6.2 billion over a 10-year build-out period. Mr. Wilkins also estimated the value of local fabrication and installation contracts to install offshore wind capacity over this same 10-year period at $200 million per year, and the value of local offshore service contracts after completion of the build-out at $155 million per year. Senator Wagner,
Chair Michelle
Vucci, Director of Policy, Virginia Department of Education A student must earn four standard credits in career and technical education in a career concentration approved by the board for both the standard and advanced technical diplomas. If a career concentration includes a specific assessment approved by the board, the student must take this assessment in order to earn the diplomas. Twenty-two credits must be earned to receive a standard technical diploma, which is the same number of credit requirements for a standard diploma. Twenty-six credits must be earned to receive an advanced technical diploma, which is the same number of credit requirements for an advanced studies diploma. Gloria Westerman,
Virginia Community College System Legislation passed by the 2008 General Assembly creating the CRC program makes instruction and remediation easily accessible, requires a statewide online data system that incorporates services for employers and individuals, and requires the Virginia Workforce Council to develop policies and guidelines to administer the CRC program. Joseph Mayer,
Virginia Department of Taxation Joseph Croce,
Senior Vice President, Virginia Manufacturers Association Nikki Rovner,
Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources
Ms. Rovner noted
that the impacts of climate change will include higher coastal water levels
and greater salinities, ocean acidification, shoreline erosion, increasing
nutrient inputs and decreases in oxygen content in estuarine waters, and
significant ramifications for coastal, bay, and estuarine plants, animals,
food webs, and ecosystems. These impacts put Norfolk Naval Facilities
at risk for sea level rise and put Virginia's roads, rail, airports, and
ports also at risk. Next Meeting The next meeting date will be posted on the study's website and the General Assembly calendar as soon as information is available. Chairman: For information,
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