Virginia Commerce and Labor (S02) Committee Docket — 2026-02-09

Summary

This is the Virginia Commerce and Labor (S02) Committee docket for 2026-02-09 in the 2026 Regular session, chamber Senate, listing Senate bills in committee. The items include SB25 (offshore wind industry; workforce development), SB43 (demand response programs), SB254 and SB255 (shared solar programs), SB382 (Smart Solar Permitting Platform) and SB827 (underground transmission lines). SB43 directs the Department of Energy to submit a report on demand response programs by November 1, 2026. SB254 authorizes Dominion Energy Virginia to release an additional 525 megawatts of capacity as part two of its shared solar program.

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TITLE: Virginia Commerce and Labor (S02) Committee Docket — 2026-02-09
DATE: 2026-02-09T16:30:00
SESSION: 2026 Regular (20261)
CHAMBER: Senate

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
  - R. Creigh Deeds (D) Chair

STAFF: Lehman, Hobie                 , Bricourt, Kat, Thomas Stevens, Kinzer, Sarah                 , Ali, Marvi

DOCKET / AGENDA:

[Senate Bill in Committee]
  1. SB25 - Offshore wind industry; workforce development.
       Patron(s): Carroll Foy
       Summary: Department of Energy; workforce development in offshore wind industry. Directs the Director of the Department of Energy to identify and develop training resources to advance workforce development in the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to HB 67.
  2. SB43 - Demand response programs; evaluation and assessment by Department of Energy, report.
       Patron(s): Roem
       Summary: Department of Energy; demand response programs; evaluation and assessment; report. Directs the Department of Energy to evaluate and assess the benefits and impacts of and best practices and implementation recommendations for demand response programs in the Commonwealth and to submit a report of such evaluation and assessment by November 1, 2026.
  3. SB175 - Renewable energy portfolio standard program; requirements, power purchase agreements.
       Patron(s): VanValkenburg
       Summary: Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements; power purchase agreements. Amends certain renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements for Dominion Energy Virginia, including the annual percentage of program requirements to be met with solar, wind, or anaerobic digestion resources of one megawatt or less located in the Commonwealth. The bill changes from 2025 to 2027 the compliance year beginning in which at least 75 percent of renewable energy certificates used by Dominion Energy Virginia shall come from eligible resources located in the Commonwealth.
  4. SB249 - Electric utilities; definitions, integrated resource plans, report.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Electric utilities; integrated resource plans. Makes various changes related to the content and process for an integrated resource plan (IRP) developed by an electric utility that provides a forecast of its load obligations and a plan to meet those obligations. The bill (i) extends the planning timeframe from 15 to 20 years; (ii) requires Appalachian Power to file an IRP by removing an exception from the definition of "electric utility"; (iii) changes the frequency with which a utility is required to file an IRP from biennially to triennially; (iv) requires utilities to consider the use of gri
  5. SB250 - Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices; local regulation; installation by tenants; consumer protection. Prevents a locality from prohibiting the use of a small portable solar generation device, as defined in the bill, on a residential structure, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill includes provisions related to the installation of small portable solar generation devices by tenants and prevents landlords from prohibiting such installation in certain circumstances. Under the bill, small portable solar generation devices are excluded from the provisions of ne
  6. SB251 - Electric utilities; performance-based regulatory framework.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Electric utilities; performance-based regulation; work group; report. Directs the State Corporation Commission to independently consider whether elements of an effective performance-based regulatory framework to evaluate and potentially improve electric utility performance and cost control incentives in the Commonwealth are in the public interest and to develop related legislative recommendations. The bill requires the Commission to include its findings and recommendations in a report required by existing law by July 1, 2027. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on E
  7. SB252 - Renewable energy portfolio standard program; energy from geothermal heating/cooling systems, report.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Renewable energy portfolio standard program; geothermal heating and cooling systems; report. Requires, for purposes of the renewable energy portfolio standard program, Dominion Energy Virginia and American Electric Power to annually procure and retire certain percentages of renewable energy certificates from geothermal heating and cooling systems, as defined in the bill. The bill directs the State Corporation Commission to prepare and deliver a report evaluating the procurement and retirement of renewable energy certificates from geothermal heating and cooling systems in the Commonwealth on or
  8. SB253 - Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.
       Patron(s): Lucas
       Summary: Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. Amends annual funding commitments for the purposes of the annual pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals conducted by Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power Company. Under the bill, Appalachian Power Company is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $1 million and no greater than $1.5 million annually. Dominion Energy Virginia is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $156 million and no gre
  9. SB254 - Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase II Utility.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase II Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Dominion Energy Virginia. Under the bill, Dominion Energy Virginia is authorized to release an additional 525 megawatts of capacity as part two of such program upon the earlier of (i) a determination that at least 90 percent of the aggregate program capacity has been subscribed and project construction is substantially complete or (ii) July 1, 2026. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to petition the Commission to i
  10. SB255 - Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase I Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Appalachian Power Company. The bill permits excess bill credits to be distributed to shared solar subscribers more than once annually. The bill also requires the utility in administering its shared solar program to require net crediting functionality for customer utility bills, as described in the bill. The bill also directs Appalachian Power to (i) release an additional 50 megawatts as part two of the shared solar program
  11. SB327 - Electric utilities; pilot program for electric energy conservation, solar energy generation.
       Patron(s): VanValkenburg
       Summary: Electric utilities; pilot program for electric energy conservation, generation, and storage. Requires American Electric Power and Dominion Energy Virginia to each petition the State Corporation Commission by December 31, 2026, to conduct a pilot program for electric energy conservation, solar energy generation, and energy storage resources for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals. The bill directs the Commission to convene a technical conference to evaluate the creation of an energy efficiency program meeting certain requirements by November 1, 2026. Under the bill, if the Commission
  12. SB371 - Electric utilities; electric demand flexibility programs, high energy demand customers, report.
       Patron(s): McPike
       Summary: Electric utilities; high energy demand customers; demand flexibility programs; reports. Directs Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power to file a petition with the State Corporation Commission by January 15, 2027, for approval of voluntary demand flexibility programs that apply to high energy demand customers, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the Commission to consider all forms of demand flexibility and other specific factors in approving each such program. The bill directs each cooperative that serves one or more high energy demand customers to establish a voluntary demand flexibility
  13. SB377 - Electric substation construction agreements; "electric cooperatives" or "cooperative," definitions.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Utility consumer services cooperatives; substation construction agreements. Permits an electric cooperative to enter into an agreement to construct a substation with a member receiving regulated electric service, with an electric demand of at least 20 megawatts during the most recent calendar year, that requires a point of interconnection with a transmission line system of 230 kilovolts or more. The bill provides that, upon final completion of a substation constructed under such an agreement, the member shall transfer ownership of such substation to the cooperative for the cooperative to opera
  14. SB382 - Smart Solar Permitting Platform; established, residential solar energy systems.
       Patron(s): Surovell
       Summary: Smart Solar Permitting Platform established; residential solar energy systems; work group; report. Creates the Smart Solar Permitting Platform (the Platform) to serve as a tool for (i) contractors to obtain permits for the construction of streamline-eligible residential solar energy systems and (ii) localities to process applications for such permits. The bill requires the Department of Energy to establish, launch, and administer the Platform by July 1, 2027, as an internet-based platform that automates plan review and instantly releases a permit or a permit revision to construct certain resid
  15. SB407 - Transportation electrification; integrated resource planning, fast-charging stations, etc.
       Patron(s): Boysko
       Summary: Transportation electrification; integrated resource planning; fast-charging stations; cost recovery by electric utilities. Permits Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company to file a proposed tariff with the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) to provide utility owned and operated electrical distribution infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging stations. The bill requires Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company to file transportation electrification plans with the Commission by February 1, 2028, and every three years thereafter, and includes requirements for info
  16. SB448 - Electric utilities; energy storage requirements, Department of Energy to develop model ordinance.
       Patron(s): Bagby
       Summary: Electric utilities; energy storage resources; Department of Energy to develop model ordinances; State Corporation Commission to conduct technology demonstration program. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for approval to construct, acquire, or procure and extends the time frame by which such capacity must be met. Under the bill, (i) Appalachian Power shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 780 megawatts of sh
  17. SB467 - High load facilities; impact assessments.
       Patron(s): Deeds
       Summary: High load facilities; impact assessments. Prohibits a governing body or board of zoning appeals from issuing final approval for any special exception, special use permit, variance, rezoning application, or other land disturbing permit, including building permits and erosion and sediment control permits, for a high load facility, defined in the bill, until the applicant submits a finding of no impact or minimal impact issued by the State Corporation Commission. The bill provides that upon request by the owner or operator of a high load facility, the Commission will assess whether the high load
  18. SB470 - Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program, zero-carbon electricity, etc.
       Patron(s): Marsden
       Summary: Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program; zero-carbon electricity; accelerated renewable energy buyers. Classifies zero-carbon electricity generating facilities that are not otherwise renewable portfolio standard (RPS) program eligible sources and that are placed into service in the Commonwealth after July 1, 2030, as RPS eligible sources. The bill permits an accelerated renewable energy buyer to contract to obtain bundled capacity, energy, and renewable energy certificates from solar, wind, or zero-carbon electricity generation located within the PJM region and placed in comme
  19. SB487 - Electric cooperatives; authorized to establish and implement a virtual power plant program.
       Patron(s): McPike
       Summary: Electric utilities; virtual power plant program; electric cooperatives. Authorizes electric cooperatives to establish and implement a virtual power plant program. The bill defines a virtual power plant as an aggregation of distributed energy resources, enrolled either directly with an electric cooperative or indirectly through an aggregator, that are operated in coordination to provide one or more grid services. Under the bill, an electric cooperative may offer incentives to residential customers to purchase battery storage devices and is required to evaluate various methods to optimize demand
  20. SB505 - Electric utilities, certain; purchased power cost risk mitigation practices.
       Patron(s): Deeds
       Summary: State Corporation Commission; electric utilities; fuel and purchased power cost risk mitigation practices. Directs the State Corporation Commission, in certain cost recovery proceedings and other annual filings as determined by the Commission, to examine the efficacy and sufficiency of fuel and purchased power cost risk mitigation practices by Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power. Under the bill, the Commission is required to include legislative recommendations related to effectively regulating fuel and purchased power cost risk in an existing report. This bill is identical to HB 1256.
  21. SB508 - Electric utilities; comprehensive assessments, surplus interconnection service.
       Patron(s): VanValkenburg
       Summary: Electric utilities; surplus interconnection service sites. Directs Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia to undertake a comprehensive assessment of available interconnection capacity at each such utility's existing and planned intermittent electric generation facilities located in the Commonwealth. The bill directs such utilities to establish pilot programs for energy storage resources and solar generation facilities that utilize surplus interconnection service, as defined in the bill, including a request for proposals. The bill requires such utilities to submit the results of such re
  22. SB509 - Licensed suppliers of electric energy; aggregate demands, total retail load limit.
       Patron(s): VanValkenburg
       Summary: Electric utilities; licensed suppliers of electric energy; aggregate demands; total retail load limit. Amends provisions that permit two or more individual nonresidential retail customers of electric energy to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) to aggregate their electric demands for the purpose of purchasing electric energy from a licensed supplier. Under the bill, the five megawatt participation threshold is based on noncoincident peak demand in calendar year 2024 and any year thereafter. Under the bill, such customers are not required to petition the Commission for a
  23. SB516 - Electric utilities; disconnection reports, State Corporation Commission database, annual summary.
       Patron(s): Deeds
       Summary: Electric utilities; disconnection reports; State Corporation Commission database; annual summary. Requires each investor-owned utility and electric cooperative operating in the Commonwealth to provide a monthly report on residential account disconnections to the State Corporation Commission. The monthly report is required to include specific information outlined in the bill, including the number of residential accounts involuntarily disconnected due to nonpayment, the amount of time in which such accounts were reconnected to service, the amounts of arrearages attributable to such disconnected
  24. SB551 - Energy load flexibility protocols; SCC et al., to evaluate high electric demand customers, report.
       Patron(s): Srinivasan
       Summary: State Corporation Commission; work group; energy load flexibility protocols; high electric demand customers; report. Directs the State Corporation Commission to convene a work group to evaluate and assess energy load flexibility protocols for high electric demand customers, including any commercial or industrial customer located in the Commonwealth with an electricity demand of greater than 50 megawatts. In conducting its assessment, the work group shall consider factors as outlined in the bill, provide an analysis of the current regulatory framework in the Commonwealth regarding high electric
  25. SB598 - Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program, zero-carbon electricity, etc.
       Patron(s): Deeds
       Summary: Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio standard; zero-carbon electricity; accelerated clean energy buyers. Revises the conditions under which accelerated clean energy buyers, defined in existing law as accelerated renewable energy buyers, may contract with Appalachian Power or Dominion Energy Virginia to obtain renewable energy certificates (RECs). The bill exempts an accelerated clean energy buyer obtaining capacity, energy, or RECs from qualifying resources or facilities from the assignment of non-bypassable costs associated with compliance with the renewable portfolio standard progr
  26. SB619 - Electric utilities; certificate of operation for high-load facilities.
       Patron(s): Srinivasan
       Summary: Electric utilities; certificate of operation for high-load facilities. Prohibits any person from operating a high-load facility, defined in the bill as a facility whose electricity demand exceeds 90 megawatts that was not operating before January 1, 2027, without first having obtained a certificate of operation from the State Corporation Commission. The bill includes factors for the Commission to consider in reviewing a petition to operate a high-load facility. The bill establishes a presumption that a high-load facility shall be considered to have met certain requirements if the high-load fac
  27. SB651 - Underground electric distribution & transmission improvement; levy on utility customers by ordinance.
       Patron(s): Perry
       Summary: Qualifying localities; underground electric distribution and transmission improvements; levy on utility customers by ordinance. Authorizes a qualifying locality, defined in the bill, to enter into an agreement with an electric utility to place new or proposed underground electric distribution or transmission lines and facilities or to relocate or convert existing overhead electric distribution or transmission lines and facilities underground. The bill requires any such agreement to provide that the locality pay to the utility its full additional costs of placing new or proposed electric distri
  28. SB659 - Solar Interconnection Grant Program; established, report, sunset.
       Patron(s): Craig
       Summary: Solar Interconnection Grant Fund and Program established; report; sunset. Establishes the Solar Interconnection Grant Program for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to public bodies to offset costs associated with the interconnection of solar facilities to the grid. The Program is administered by the Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Department of Energy. The bill requires that priority be given to solar facilities located on previously developed project sites and requires the Division to establish and publish guidelines and criteria for the awarding
  29. SB761 - Electric and gas utilities; rates and charges for service, political influence activities, report.
       Patron(s): Jones
       Summary: Electric and gas utilities; rates and charges for service; political influence activities; promotional advertising; annual report. Prohibits an electric or gas utility subject to regulation by the State Corporation Commission from recovering certain costs through its retail rates and charges for service. The costs prohibited for such recovery include political influence activities and promotional advertising, as such terms are defined in the bill. Under the bill, each electric and gas utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission shall submit an annual report by January 1, 2027, and an
  30. SB777 - Electric utilities and licensed suppliers of electricity; regional transmission entities.
       Patron(s): Rouse
       Summary: Electric utilities and licensed suppliers of electricity; regional transmission entity; annual report. Requires each investor-owned utility or licensed supplier that joins or establishes the regional transmission entity (PJM Interconnection, LLC) to submit an annual report to the State Corporation Commission by February 1 of each year. Such report shall include (i) all recorded votes cast by the utility or licensed supplier at a meeting during the immediately preceding calendar year, (ii) all votes cast by an affiliate of the utility or licensed supplier at a meeting during the immediately pre
  31. SB827 - Underground transmission lines; pilot program, clarifies qualifying projects, report.
       Patron(s): Srinivasan
       Summary: Pilot program for underground transmission lines; qualifying projects; levy; report. Authorizes the State Corporation Commission, in reviewing any application submitted by a public utility for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of an electrical transmission line of 500 kilovolts filed between January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2033, to approve up to four applications for qualifying projects to be constructed in whole or in part underground as part of the pilot program for underground transmission lines and to provide an expedited review of any such application. Th

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