Virginia Changes Energy Agency's Name To Reflect Move From Coal To Renewables

RICHMOND, VA — More than 35 years after its creation, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy has a new name. It is now known as the Virginia Department of Energy after state lawmakers passed a law earlier this year requiring the name change. The name change took effect Friday, Oct. 1.

The legislation, introduced by Del. Richard “Rip” Sullivan Jr. (48th District) of Arlington, also changed the name of the Division of Energy to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and the name of the Division of Mined Land Reclamation to Mined Land Repurposing.

The department’s new website also went live Friday at energy.virginia.gov. Staff emails will also reflect the change, as their domain names will now be “@energy.virginia.gov.”

The department’s name change and reorganization follows the passage of the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act. The act established a mandatory renewable portfolio standard to achieve 30 percent renewable energy by 2030, a mandatory energy efficiency resource standard, and the path to a carbon-free electric grid by 2045.

“We've passed one of the most sweeping clean energy laws in the country, and we are transitioning our electric grid to 100 percent renewable energy,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement Friday.

The Virginia Department of Energy was reorganized to increase the agency’s focus on clean energy. Resources were shifted toward development opportunities associated with the repurposing of previously mined sites. Projects include those in the solar energy, agriculture, recreational, cultural and industrial sectors.

“This agency will continue to provide a high level of service to our traditional customer base, while enhancing the communities we serve,” Virginia Energy Director John Warren said. “The well-timed clean energy movement has allowed us to respond and realign our staff, enabling us to work on new initiatives while keeping our continued customer service.”

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy was created in 1985, a time when the agency mostly served the mining industries, ensuring the safety of coal, mineral, gas, and oil workers and environmental compliance at each site. It also housed the state’s energy office, which has expanded significantly after the passing of the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020.

The department has nearly 200 employees across the state, with offices in Big Stone Gap, Charlottesville and Richmond. The agency serves as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Virginia State Energy Office and manages state-based clean energy policy and deployment initiatives.

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