January 1, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) is kicking off a series of educational meetings regarding energy projects in Southwest Virginia and other programs the agency offers.

The first meeting will be Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Russell County Conference Center, 139 Highland Drive in Lebanon. This educational meeting will be an opportunity for the public to have informal conversations and address questions to various subject matter experts within Virginia Energy. Residents can learn about economic development, solar and potential nuclear projects on mined land, and about the coal mining and natural gas programs at Virginia Energy.

Following the meeting, Virginia Energy will receive written comment via email at vaenergy@energy.virginia.gov or comments may be mailed to: Attn: Tarah Kesterson, Virginia Department of Energy, 3405 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.

Comments received following the first Energy Education opportunity will be used to form a more specific agenda for the rest of the series. Those meeting dates, times and locations will be announced soon.