- Population: 7.7 million (U.S. Rank: 12)
- GDP: $369.3 billion (U.S. rank: 12)
- Capital: Richmond
Energy Consumption
- Virginia’s total energy consumption is 2.5% of total U.S. consumption and equals 345 mil Btu per capita (U.S. rank: 27).
- Consumption is relatively evenly distributed among the transportation (30%), residential (24%), industry (23%) and commercial (22%) sectors.
- Most of the state’s electricity generation comes from coal (50%) and nuclear (35%) power.
Petroleum
- Virginia has minor petroleum reserves and minimal production.
- Research has shown that there might be substantial oil and gas reserves off the state’s coast.
- Congressional and Presidential moratoria have prohibited energy development in offshore areas since 1990.
- Virginia has one oil refinery, which processes imported crude oil and primarily supplies regional markets.
- Virginia’s total petroleum consumption remains high, due particularly to the transportation sector.
Nuclear
- Virginia has two nuclear power plants that generate one-third of the state’s electricity.
Natural Gas
- Virginia has minor natural gas reserves and minimal production.
- Most of Virginia’s natural gas supply is delivered from the Gulf Coast region via several major interstate natural gas pipelines.
- Approximately one-third of Virginia households use natural gas for heating.
Coal
- Virginia has minor coal reserves and production.
- There are surface and underground mines located in the Central Appalachian Basin.
- Large volumes of coal move through Virginia by rail to other states. The primary recipients are Georgia and Tennessee.
- Most coal consumed in Virginia is used for electricity generation.
- Coal-fired power plants typically account for about one-half of the state’s electricity generation.
Renewable Energy
- Virginia’s offshore areas have high wind power potential.
- Renewable energy resources account for more than 5% of electricity production in the state.