August 28, 2019 — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has issued a state proclamation recognizing September 23-27, 2019 as National Clean Energy Week in his home state.
In his proclamation, Gov. Northam notes that the solar industry now supports “over 3,890 jobs and the energy efficiency industry now supports over 75,000 jobs in Virginia,” and that the clean energy sector is a growing part of the Commonwealth’s economy.
In 2018, a total of 29 governors, both Republican and Democratic, issued state proclamations declaring September 24-28, 2018 as National Clean Energy Week.
Virginia is now the fifth state in the country to formally recognize National Clean Energy Week 2019. Recently, New Hampshire Governor Christopher Sununu, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed proclamations supporting NCEW in their home states.
Read the official text of the Virginia state proclamation below.
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National Clean Energy Week
WHEREAS, across Virginia, clean and renewable energy is powering more homes and businesses than ever before; and
WHEREAS, Virginia has more than 534 megawatts installed, and over 4,800 megawatts of solar currently under development in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, clean energy is part of Virginia’s energy future, which includes generation from renewable sources, such as solar, onshore wind, and offshore wind; and
WHEREAS, Virginia’s energy future also includes significant investments in energy efficiency and energy storage technologies; and
WHEREAS, the clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of economic growth in Virginia in recent years; and
WHEREAS, the solar industry now supports over 3,890 jobs and the energy efficiency industry now supports over 75,000 jobs in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, clean energy jobs cannot be outsourced due to the on-site nature of construction, installation, and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, clean energy jobs are inherently local and contribute to the growth of local economies; and
WHEREAS, from 2013 to 2017, revenue from the energy efficiency sector has increased five times from $300 million to $1.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, individuals and organizations in Virginia should support solutions that address America’s economic and energy needs in the 21st century, and implement the cleanest energy technologies available; and
WHEREAS, Virginia’s entrepreneurs and small businesses must come together with government collaboration to assert American energy leadership and ensure low-cost reliable energy at home;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize September 23-27, 2019, as NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
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