Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Friday that he wants $10 million in the upcoming budget for research and development for energy technology, including $5 million focused on nuclear.
“Today I am pleased to propose a $10 million investment in the upcoming budget to turn Virginia into a leader in energy innovation,” Youngkin said in the announcement. “With technologies like carbon capture and utilization, and resources like critical minerals, hydrogen, and nuclear, we will make Virginia the epicenter for reliable and affordable energy innovation.”
The money would go to create a Virginia Power Innovation Fund, which would work on technology including nuclear, carbon capture, hydrogen, and battery storage. It’s part of a new emphasis on energy policy within the Youngkin administration that comes after Youngkin announced his all-of-the-above energy plan and called for the launch of a new nuclear reactor using new technology in southwest Virginia within the next ten years.
Top Virginia Republicans announced their support for Youngkin’s budget proposal.
“Governor Youngkin’s Energy Plan and his vision as articulated today represent a bright future for the people of Southwest Virginia and the whole Commonwealth. Bringing these new, innovative energy industries into Virginia will go far in attracting new jobs, investment, and growth to the Commonwealth while also ensuring Virginians have access to reliable energy now and in the future,” Attorney General Jason Miyares said.
Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) said, “I am thrilled to work with Governor Youngkin to bring federal funds back to the hardworking folks of Southwest Virginia. With these new efforts, Southwest can seize its potential and become the leading energy region in the United States.”
House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore (R-Scott) said, “I have proudly represented the people of Southwest Virginia in the General Assembly for nearly 30 years, and I know the promise that exists in our towns, hills, and valleys. Governor Youngkin’s Energy Plan recognizes this promise and envisions a future for Southwest that capitalizes on our talents and history to place Southwest Virginia on the cutting edge of the energy future.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. This article originally appeared in The Virginia Star. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of The Republican Standard. Republished with permission.