Evaluating the Impacts of Utility-Scale Solar Development on Farm and Forest Land in Virginia with Dr. Damian Pitt

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: RF & P Forum room at the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad St, Richmond, 23220) - Map | Directions

Dr. Pitt, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), will present the results of two recent studies examining the impacts of utility-scale solar development on farms, forests, and other types of land cover in Virginia. The research includes an assessment of the current impacts of the 94 utility-scale projects operating in Virginia as of June, 2024, as well as projections of the future impacts of potential future solar development scenarios.

Dr. Damian Pitt is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Studies and Planning, in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He also serves as the Associate Director of Policy and Community Engagement for the VCU Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment (ISEE). His work examines opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through energy conservation, renewable energy use, land use and transportation policies. He focuses on community-engaged and applied research, which brings together the talent and resources of the university to work on diverse collaborations that benefit the people and communities of the commonwealth.

He has written numerous academic articles and professional reports, including recent studies for the Virginia Department of Energy, the City of Richmond’s Office of Sustainability, and Advanced Energy United. In 2022 he released a study quantifying the energy savings and economic benefits of Virginia’s low-income energy efficiency programs funded by the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Inventory (RGGI), which featured prominently in the public discourse around the state’s efforts to withdraw from that program. His most recent research investigates the benefits, opportunities, and challenges related to both small-scale and large-scale solar energy development, including efforts to examine and contextualize the degree to which large utility-scale solar projects are impacting forests, cropland, and other types of land cover in Virginia.

 

 

Electrification and Smart Efficiency Improvements for Homeowners with Andrew Grigsby, Energy Services Director at Viridiant

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: RF & P Forum room at the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad St, Richmond, 23220) - Map | Directions

Viridiant is the Richmond-based nonprofit that has been providing technical support for more sustainable construction since 2006. The presentation will cover strategies to remove fossil fuel appliances from your home, minimize total energy use, and make the best use of all rebates and incentives.

Specific topics include details for heat pumps in Viriginia’s climate (spoiler, today’s advanced heat pumps handle our coldest winters no problem), the importance of well-sealed ductwork, air-sealing and insulation strategies, indoor air quality, water heating options, appliances, and solar. The guidance applies to existing homes, those you may be remodeling, and new construction. And we’ll leave plenty of time for your specific questions.  

Andrew serves as Energy Services Director at Viridiant, the Richmond-based nonprofit that has been providing technical support for more sustainable construction since 2006. In that capacity, he provides energy efficiency and renewable energy services and consulting directly to consumers and works with partners across Virginia to scale deployment of clean energy technologies in residential buildings and beyond. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a hands-on practitioner, educator, and leader in the clean energy, construction, and community planning industries. Andrew earned a master’s degree in community and regional planning from The University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree in social theory from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a licensed Residential Building Energy Analyst in the Commonwealth of Virigina. Andrew lives with his wife Trista (a leader in Virginia’s agriculture education and healthy, local food movements) and their two sons in South Richmond.

We are proud to endorse the following Richmond City Council candidates: 

District 1: Andrew (Gumby) Breton

District 2: Katherine Jordan 

District 3: Carra Rose

District 4: Sarah Abubaker

District 5: Stephanie Lynch

District 9: Stephanie Starling

Click HERE to see the FOJG's Richmond Clean Energy & Climate Justice Budget Recommendations for fiscal year 2025.  These were sent to Mayor Stoney and the Richmond City Council.

The following questionnaire was provided to 2023 Henrico County Board of Supervisors candidates: Henrico-county-BOS-candidates-Questionnaire-2023.pdf.  Please see the questionnaire responses below to learn about the FOJG Ex Comm Endorsed Candidates for 2023.

• Jody-Rogish-Responses.pdf
• Misty-Climate-Forum-Responses.pdf
• Roscoe-Cooper-Sierra-Club-FoJG-responses.pdf
• Stephen-Rast-BoS-Forum-Responses.pdf
• Tyrone-Nelson-response.pdf

Click the link below to view the Sierra Club-Virginia Henrico Board of Supervisors candidate forum from September 13th, 2023. Candidates were asked questions about climate change, environmental justice, land use and education.

https://youtu.be/wuAAfGLLsGQ?feature=shared