Category: Public Policy

Virginia Must Extend Deadline to Review Next Era-Dominion Merger

Jun 17, 2026

Currently, Virginia state regulators must review and approve or deny a utility merger request within 6 months. That's too fast for a merger this big. Virginia needs more time to assess the merger's impact on affordability and other serious issues.

Secure Solar Futures CEO Urges Caution in Media Story about NextEra-Dominion Merger

Jun 11, 2026

Tony Smith warns of higher costs and lower accountability unless Virginia regulators demand reform of the traditional utility business model.

Deadline Coming Up to Get Federal Solar Tax Credit

Jun 04, 2026

To sneak in under the IRS deadline of July 4 to safe harbor their solar project, Secure Solar Futures recommends that customers sign up for solar by June 30.

City with solar panels, EVs and batteries.

We Can’t Rely on Big Utility Solar Alone to Save the Grid

Apr 21, 2026

A new article argues that Virginia, the world capital of AI data centers, can be a model for the nation to prevent an energy crisis if we go beyond big utility solar to embrace distributed energy.

Why Starting Construction by July 4, 2026 Can Lock in Lower Costs for Solar PPAs

Jan 20, 2026

Schools, hospitals and businesses that want to go solar will get better PPA rates if they act before federal tax credits expire.

New Article Exposes Dominion’s Plan to Stop Schools from Going Solar and Shows How One School Fought Back

Dec 29, 2025

Fairfax County Schools, one of the largest systems in the nation, had equally big ambitions to lead the nation's schools on solar power. But Dominion had other ideas.

A New Approach for AI Data Centers to Contribute Positively to Virginia’s Energy Landscape

Nov 21, 2025

Virginia Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger has called for AI data centers to "pay their fair share" to provide the energy they need. SSF CEO Tony Smith offers an innovative idea to add new power while boosting Virginia's economy.

Data Centers Really Do Raise Energy Prices

Nov 12, 2025

The Washington Post, owned by the world's largest data center operator, Jeff Bezos, just claimed that data centers have not increased power costs but have actually lowered them, despite what everyone thinks. Here's why the Post is wrong.

Virginia Regulators Reject APCo Bid to Cut Net Metering Rates

Sep 02, 2025

Appalachian Power asked Virginia regulators to let the company pay less for power from customers with solar. But the state refused, affirming the value of net-metered solar power.

chart on electrical supply and demand with and without solar

6 Reasons Why Congress Should Keep Solar Tax Credits

Jun 11, 2025

President Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill passed by the House cuts incentives to keep solar power growing. Six charts show why that's a bad idea.

Should You Worry about the Energy Needs of Data Centers?

May 27, 2025

Homes and businesses could wind up paying up to 70% more for power as utilities scramble to supply energy-hungry data centers.

AEP/APCo Case in WV Could Bode Well for VA

Apr 08, 2025

This technical article looks at the current American Electric Power net metering tariff case in West Virginia for clues as to what's coming in Virginia.

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