While conservation alone will not meet the growing demand for reliable power, we must take steps to make our homes and businesses more energy efficient and incorporate conservation best practices into our daily routines. In short, we must make conservation a priority.

By using energy more efficiently, we can make the most of our existing energy resources and reduce – but not eliminate – the need for new infrastructure. This healthy balance will save money for us all, and also protect the environment. It is the responsibility of both energy providers and consumers to make a difference. We hope this site will provide consumers with the tools and resources to make informed decisions when it comes to energy conservation.



The Governor’s Virginia Energy Plan calls for reducing the growth rate for the state’s consumption of energy by 40 percent over the next 15 years. Legislation passed by the 2007 General Assembly (HB 3068) endorsed a goal of reducing electricity consumption in Virginia by 12 percent compared with 2007 levels by 2022. The State Corporation Commission is now conducting a study to determine the best means to meet this target.

These are ambitious goals, and the Governor and General Assembly should support these goals with legislation to encourage the use of energy efficient appliances and launch aggressive education programs for consumers.

The realities of modern life often make it hard to use less energy. Many energy-consuming appliances – such as cell phones, computers and plasma televisions – are no longer luxuries or even simple conveniences, but absolute necessities for our high-technology economy. Increasingly, this economy is built around information technology – which requires reliable 24/7 energy to operate.

Conservation should be a cornerstone of every plan for Virginia’s energy future. And we must start now to incorporate energy-saving practices into our homes and businesses. It will save money. It will promote more efficient use of our available energy resources. And above all, it will promote a cleaner, healthier environment.

While valuable, conservation cannot completely offset the growing demand for electricity in Virginia. Meeting that need will require a balanced approach, including continued use of traditional energy sources, increased use of renewable energy and new infrastructure.