RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Ralph Northam has issued an executive order setting a goal for Virginia to produce 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050.
The order announced Tuesday says the goal will help address climate change, a challenge that “poses potentially devastating risk to Virginia.”
The order sets an intermediate goal of reaching 30% renewable energy by 2030. It also says the Commonwealth’s agencies and executive branch institutions will aim to procure at least 30 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2022.
Virginia’s GOP-controlled legislature has thwarted Northam’s attempts to pass legislation limiting carbon emissions from power plants. Control of both the House and Senate are up for grabs in November’s elections.
Environmental groups applauded the move from Northam.
