Author Archives: Stephen D. Haner

About Stephen D. Haner

Stephen D. Haner is Senior Fellow for State and Local Tax Policy at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. He may be reached at [email protected].

Under RGGI, Virginia Releases More CO2, Not Less

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Stephen D. Haner

Since Virginia joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) compact at the start of 2021, according to data reported by the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to provide electricity to customers in the state has … Continue reading →

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Energy Wars Stalemate Hinders Reforms

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Stephen D. Haner

What the 2023 General Assembly didn’t pass is also an important Virginia energy policy story, starting with failure on its part to fill the two open seats on the crucial State Corporation Commission. This follows its failure last year to fill one … Continue reading →

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SCC Oversight Returned, But Lower Electric Bills Unlikely

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Stephen D. Haner

The final version of a regulatory revision for Dominion Energy Virginia restores State Corporation Commission authority over the utility’s profit margin and rates, a major goal for Governor Glenn Youngkin (R). It was also the highest priority in a detailed energy policy put … Continue reading →

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In Final Week, Uncertainty Clouds Energy Bills

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Stephen D. Haner

With adjournment less than a week away, the 2023 General Assembly is a mixed bag for electricity consumers, with the Assembly seeming to release control to regulators in some areas but continuing to assert its tight control in others. Dominion … Continue reading →

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Deadlocked Again on Taxes vs. Spending

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Stephen D. Haner

We have seen this before in Virginia and here we go again: the classic conflict between tax cuts for the many versus more government spending for a few. The Republican-dominated House of Delegates has passed a series of broad tax … Continue reading →

Posted in State Government, Taxes | Comments Off on Deadlocked Again on Taxes vs. Spending