VirginiaUnderground transmission lines; pilot program, clarifies qualifying projects, report.
What it does
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. The bill removes certain provisions related to the existing pilot program.
More detail
Under the bill, a project shall be qualified if (i) the Commission finds that an engineering analysis demonstrates that it is technically feasible to place the proposed line in whole or in part underground, (ii) the application contains certain information regarding projections of project costs, (iii) the application contains evidence that the governing body of each locality in which at least a portion of the proposed line will be placed underground supports the project's inclusion in the program and agrees to meet its related funding obligations, and (iv) the Commission finds the overall cost of the project reasonable and consistent with the public interest. The bill permits the Commission to deny an application for a project that otherwise meets the criteria to qualify, provided that the Commission publicly shares its rationale for doing so.The bill requires at least 50 percent of the marginal costs, as defined in the bill, of the portion of a qualifying project chosen to be placed underground within a locality pursuant to its provisions to be paid by such locality. The bill permits such a locality to meet such requirement through imposing a levy on electric utility customers within the locality, issuing a general obligation bond subject to a referendum, or allocating its own funds. The bill extends the Commission's final report deadline for the pilot program from December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2034.
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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 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 863 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Apr 6Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1487)
- 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 (HB1487ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by Senate (28-Y 11-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 (61-Y 36-N 0-A)Minor
- Mar 13Conference Report released
- Mar 9House Conferees: Singh, Sullivan, O'Quinn
- Mar 9Conferees appointed by House
- Mar 6Senate Conferees: Srinivasan, Surovell, Peake
- Mar 6Conferees appointed by Senate
- Mar 5House acceded to request
- Mar 4Senate requested conference committeeMinor
- Vote recorded Insist & Request R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Senate insisted on amendment (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 2Senate substitute rejected by House (7-Y 92-N 0-A)
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: fail.Lower
- Feb 26Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1487)
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Passed Senate with substitute (27-Y 13-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Feb 26Engrossed by Senate - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 26Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
- Feb 26Read third timeMinor
- Feb 25Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 25Rules suspended
- Feb 24Committee substitute printed 26108404D-S1Major
- Feb 23Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (12-Y 3-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Feb 17Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 16Read third time and passed House (62-Y 36-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 13committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 13Read second timeMinor
- Feb 12Read first timeMinor
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107094D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (19-Y 3-N)Minor
- Feb 5Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5House subcommittee offered
- Feb 5Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1487)
- Jan 28Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Jan 23Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Jan 23Presented and ordered printed 26105920DIntroduced