“I learned that science policy is simultaneously a slow and fast process and that the future of renewable energy depends on improved solar energy policy.”

Summer Responsibilities: Reilly helped revise Virginia House Bill 206, which outlines the DEQ’s Small Renewable Energy Permit-by-Rule program for solar projects of less than 150 megawatts. He researched such issues as the environmental impacts of solar farms, solar siting in adjacent states, agrivoltaics, and carbon emission offsets from solar energy.

Background: Reilly’s research focuses on flooding in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the implications of climate change relating to this issue, with the main regions of interest being the Potomac River and James River. He also has experience with modeling the co-benefits of fossil fuel emission reductions at the county level of Virginia, which was the basis for a moderate-scale research project he contributed to with the Virginia Climate Center.