VirginiaElectric utilities; definitions, integrated resource plans, report.
What it does
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 grid-enhancing technologies as alternatives to new transmission infrastructure, and when new transmission lines are envisioned, to provide the reasons grid-enhancing technologies are not sufficient to defer or eliminate the need for new transmission infrastructure; and (v) requires utilities to consider the use of surplus interconnection service, as defined in the bill, to add new electric generation projects and energy storage resources to the grid.
More detail
The bill requires that the current stakeholder review process for integrated resource plans be facilitated by a third-party facilitator selected by the State Corporation Commission and compensated by the utility. The bill requires, as part of the stakeholder review process, the utility to provide stakeholders with reasonable access to the same modeling software, modeling assumptions, modeling inputs, and data used by the utility to evaluate supply and demand resources in its integrated resource plan to enable stakeholders to create modeling scenarios for the utility's consideration during the development of its integrated resource plan. The bill requires the State Corporation Commission to (a) establish guidelines that ensure that utilities develop comprehensive integrated resource plans and provide meaningful public engagement and maximum transparency during the planning process; (b) conduct a proceeding by July 1, 2027, and at least once every five years thereafter, to identify and review each of its existing orders relevant to integrated resource plans to determine if such orders remain necessary and effective and are not overly burdensome; and (c) convene a work group to make recommendations on the required guidelines. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to SB 249.
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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
- Apr 13Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0607)Latest
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 607 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Apr 6Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB429)
- Mar 31Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026Minor
- Mar 31Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 30Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 30Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB429ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)Minor
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Committee Report R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by House (72-Y 24-N 0-A)Minor
- Mar 14Conference Report released
- Mar 12Senate Conferees: Surovell, Rouse, Obenshain
- Vote recorded Insist & Request R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by Senate
- Mar 12House Conferees: LeVere Bolling, Shin, O'Quinn
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by House
- Mar 12House acceded to request
- Mar 12Senate requested conference committeeMinor
- Mar 12Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Major
- Mar 11Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 99-N 0-A)
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: fail.Lower
- Mar 10Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Engrossed by Senate - committee substituteMajor
- Mar 10Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
- Mar 10Read third timeMinor
- Mar 9Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 9Rules suspended
- Mar 6Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB429)
- Mar 3Committee substitute printed 26108331D-S1Major
- Mar 2Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 16Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB429)
- Feb 12Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Feb 12Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 11Read third time and passed House (84-Y 13-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 10committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 10Read second timeMinor
- Feb 9Read first timeMinor
- Feb 6Committee substitute printed 26107083D-H1Major
- Feb 5Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (17-Y 5-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 0-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3House subcommittee offered
- Feb 2Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB429)
- Jan 19Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Jan 12Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Jan 12Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103036DIntroduced