Virginia's Clean Energy Role
Our organization helps lead the conversation about the economic benefits of clean and renewable energy sources to Virginia’s economy. We educate policy makers and industry leaders on the benefits of clean energy development, and serve as a voice for the many conservatives who want to increase the choices and availability of clean energy sources in Virginia. Overwhelmingly, voters support policies in the Commonwealth to promote a true “all of the above” energy strategy.
Like many states, the Commonwealth is experiencing growth in the clean energy industry, which includes an increase in renewable energy sources. And yet, in the midst of a changing energy market coordinated action is required to position the Commonwealth as a leader in innovative energy generation and utilization. To compete for clean energy jobs and economic development, Virginia must continue to leverage its business-friendly climate, quality educational institutions, vast resources, and support policies to facilitate growth.
Virginia has seen recent growth in large utility-scale solar projects, driven in part by legislation approved in 2015 to declare 500MW of utility-scale solar in the public interest. In 2016, Dominion partnered with Amazon Web Services to bring online their first 80-megawatt solar facility in Accomack County. The 2018 legislative session was one of the most aggressive at advancing clean energy policies in recent history. As a result of the legislation, Virginia will see an unprecedented amount of clean energy put in the public interest, including solar, wind, and battery storage. Our grid will be modernized and transformed to accommodate the growth in clean energy. The Commonwealth will make great strides in improving energy efficiency programs, helping customers save money on their utility bills and reducing overall energy demand. Virginians will also have more rights to install solar on their own property.
There are many other opportunities for the development of clean energy here in Virginia. Whether related to energy efficiency, smaller distributed renewable energy, biofuels (methane-to-gas), wind power, or the advancement of new clean energy technologies, Virginia should continue to advance policies to support an “all-of-the-above” strategy that emphasizes clean energy growth.
Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia Leadership Team
Thomas Turner | Virginia State Director
Suffolk, Virginia
Thomas Turner is a seasoned political strategist and public servant with over a decade of leadership experience in Virginia. A lifelong Suffolk resident, he has dedicated his career to advancing conservative principles through grassroots organizing, campaign management, and policy advocacy.
Thomas currently serves as the National Auditor for the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) — his third term on its Board of Directors — and has held previous leadership roles spanning both state and national Republican organizations.
A trusted conservative activist and campaign strategist, he has worked on high-stakes races across the East Coast, including on the staff of former U.S. Representative J. Randy Forbes and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s successful 2021 gubernatorial campaign. Governor Youngkin later appointed him to the Clean Energy Advisory Board, where he is serving as the Chair of the Board (Term Ends June 2028), and a member of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board (Term Ends June 2026)
Thomas holds a degree from Liberty University (2012) and is a 2016 alumnus of UVA’s Sorensen Institute for Civic Leadership. He remains deeply committed to his local Suffolk community.
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Andrew Lamar | Senior Advisor
Richmond, VA
Andrew brings over a decade of political and legislative experience to Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia. He has served as Policy Advisor and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs to the Governor of Virginia, where he helped develop legislative strategy and oversaw coordination between the Governor’s Office, the Cabinet, and the General Assembly to advance the Governor’s policy agenda. He was Campaign Manager for House Speaker Bill Howell, served on the record setting McDonnell for Governor campaign in 2009, and has advised several other successful candidates for state office here in Virginia.
Conservatives for Clean Energy - Virginia Advisory Board
The Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia Advisory Board is comprised of conservative rising stars and long-time stalwarts. CCE-VA Director Thomas Turner speaks highly of this board. “The members of the CCE-VA advisory board represent the brightest and most accomplished conservative leaders in Virginia. Their participation demonstrates that clean energy is an issue that crosses ideological lines. This board demonstrates broad expertise in the movement and has championed an All the Above Approach to Energy that is reliable and affordable, and that increases clean energy.”
Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia Advisory Board
Meredith Allen Dellinger
Meredith serves as Executive Director of Winning For Women and WFW Action Fund, where she leads the
organization’s mission to identify, support, and advance strong Republican women candidates for Congress. Under her leadership,
WFW and WFW Action Fund invest in top-tier women across the country to build a more effective governing Republican majority.
Before joining Winning For Women, Meredith served as Independent Expenditure Director at the Congressional Leadership Fund, where she oversaw the budget, placement, and creative operations for more than $370 million in advertising to defend the Republican House majority. She also led issue advocacy efforts at the American Action Network, directing $38 million in campaigns to advance key national legislative priorities.
Previously, Meredith was Political Director at OnMessage Inc., where she managed paid media strategies for campaigns, party committees, and Super PACs nationwide. She has also served as Campaign Manager for a first-time female candidate, Women’s Engagement Director at the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Executive Director of a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization. In addition, Meredith has advised corporations and Members of Congress,
leveraging her campaign, committee, and Super PAC experience to deliver winning results for
her clients and the organizations she supports.
A North Carolina native, Meredith graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hill with degrees in Peace, War & Defense and Political Science. She and her husband live in the
Washington, D.C. area with their Golden Retriever, Birdie.
Zachary LeMaster
Zach LeMaster is a Government Affairs Director with Gentry Locke Consulting. In this capacity, he provides strategic advice to clients regarding the political and legislative realities of the Commonwealth. Before joining Gentry Locke, he served as Legislative Aide and Chief of Staff to Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. During his eight years in the senator’s office, he oversaw all office operations, including policy development, staff recruitment, and constituent services. Additionally, he led the Senator’s Political Action Committees, raising over $4 million and ensuring compliance with Virginia’s campaign finance laws. Zach assisted in the passage of the Senator’s priority legislation, including raising the tobacco use age to 21, decriminalizing marijuana, and creating an iLottery system for the Commonwealth. The most expansive legislative effort involved instituting a regional sales tax to promote tourism in the Historic Triangle, which required coordination among regional trade associations, local governments, and the business community.
In the 2020 Special Session of the Virginia General Assembly, Zach helped develop and guide the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus legislative agenda
on criminal justice reform and public safety. He assisted in the vetting process for nominations to inaugurate Virginia’s Redistricting Commission. During his time at Gentry Locke Consulting has led on emerging issues in
blockchain, fintech, and renewable energy. He has worked against legislation that increases the burden on housing providers and presented to the Virginia Housing Commission on the negative impact of rent control policies. Lastly, Zach worked to protect the Commonwealth’s historic resources, securing over $9 million in state grant funding for historic preservation programs. Zach earned his Public Policy and Administration undergraduate degree fromJames Madison University (B.S, 2012);
Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas is one of the most well-respected, longest-serving conservative leaders in Virginia. Currently, Mike is a senior vice president of Virginia state government relations for McGuireWoods Consulting LLC. In total, he has spent 24 years as First Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Virginia, and 13 years before that as a member of the State Central Committee.
Mike has spent countless hours since his days as Chairman of the University of Richmond Young Republicans assisting conservative causes. Mike has been an aide over the years to U.S. Senators Paul Trible and John Warner, and to Congressman Tom Bliley, and has helped organize and manage grassroots operations for dozens of state, local, and federal elected officials and candidates.
Mike was the campaign manager for the successful George Allen for Governor campaign and served as secretary of administration in Governor George Allen’s cabinet.
Mike served as state director and chief of staff for U.S. Senator George Allen. As state director, he managed the staff and five regional offices throughout the Commonwealth and worked with individuals, businesses, state and local government organizations.
At McGuire Woods Consulting, LLC, Mike provides senior-level insight to clients on legislative, regulatory, and administrative issues at the state and local levels in Virginia and other states. His practice focuses on government relations, grassroots/grasstops, issues management, and technology matters.
Councilman Lee Vogler
Lee Vogler was elected to the Danville City Council in May 2012, becoming the youngest person ever elected to that position, at age 24. A native of Southside Virginia, Mr. Vogler graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He is
currently employed as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Andrew Brooks Media Group.
As a member of the Danville City Council for the past 9 years, Lee Vogler has been responsible for overseeing and managing Danville Utilities, the largest municipal electric utility in Virginia. During this time, Vogler supported unprecedented investments in solar and renewable energy sources. In just the past three years, three utility-scale solar projects have come online in the Danville/Pittsylvania region, and a fourth is scheduled to be completed this year. Today, the Danville/Pittsylvania region is an example of how quickly clean energy can become a major power source.
Lee has promoted clean energy solutions throughout Virginia as a member of the CCE-VA Advisory Board since 2017. His opinion editorial celebrating National Clean Energy Week in 2019 was read across the Commonwealth.