VirginiaEnergy officials would study ways to improve electric grid reliability
If approved, Virginia energy officials would study electric grid upgrades and report possible cost-saving reliability options to lawmakers by December 1, 2026.
What it does
Virginia energy officials would study lower-cost ways to improve or preserve electric reliability, including generator, storage, transmission, and grid technology upgrades.
Added power from upgrades to existing falling-water resources would count toward Virginia's renewable energy standard under the proposed rule.
Argument forStudying upgrades and storage could help officials find less costly ways to preserve reliable electric service instead of relying only on new construction.
Argument againstConsidering faster grid connections tied to voluntary payments could place large electricity users under pressure to finance infrastructure before receiving service.
More detail
The Department of Energy, working with the State Corporation Commission, would study existing electric utility infrastructure and report its findings. The study would cover ways to save costs while improving or preserving electric system reliability, including upgrades to zero-carbon generators, energy storage, and transmission equipment. The study would consider grid-enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors. It would also examine whether large electricity users could voluntarily finance alternatives as a condition of faster connection to the grid. The department and commission would complete the study and send the report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2026.
Additional generating capacity from uprating an existing falling-water resource would count as an eligible renewable source for the state's renewable energy standard. This rule would apply to added capacity gained by upgrading an existing falling-water electric resource. The rule would apply notwithstanding the cited provision of Virginia law. The supplied text does not state when this treatment would begin or end.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Mar 6Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
- Feb 25Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB114)
- Feb 24Committee substitute printed 26108325D-S1Major
- Feb 23Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Minor
- Feb 3Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Feb 3Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 2Read third time and passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)Passed House
- Jan 30Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Jan 30committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Jan 30Read second timeMinor
- Jan 29Read first timeMinor
- Jan 27Committee substitute printed 26106016D-H1Major
- Jan 27Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)Minor
- Jan 22Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)Major
- Jan 22House subcommittee offered
- Jan 15Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Jan 2Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Jan 2Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103432DIntroduced
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