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.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.
More detail
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 that meets certain requirements on electric utility customers within the locality, issuing a general obligation bond subject to a referendum, allocating its own funds, or any combination of such methods. The bill extends the Commission's final report deadline for the pilot program from December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2034. This bill is identical to HB 1487.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 864 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Apr 6Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB827)
- 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 Senate and House (SB827ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 24Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB827)
- 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 (62-Y 34-N 0-A)Minor
- Mar 13Conference Report released
- Mar 12House Conferees: Singh, Sullivan, O'Quinn
- Vote recorded Accede Conference Committee R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by House
- Mar 12Senate Conferees: Srinivasan, Surovell, Stanley
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by Senate
- Mar 12Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 11House requested conference committeeMinor
- Mar 11House insisted on substituteMajor
- Mar 10House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
- Vote recorded Concur House Substitute R. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 6Passed House with substitute (62-Y 36-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Mar 6committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Mar 6Read third timeMinor
- Mar 5Read second timeMinor
- Mar 3Committee substitute printed 26109087D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Feb 26Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB827)
- Feb 24Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Feb 24Read first timeMinor
- Feb 24Placed on Calendar
- Feb 13Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 12-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 12Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 12Read second timeMinor
- Feb 11Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 11Rules suspended
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107558D-S1Major
- Feb 9Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (11-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9Senate committee offered
- Feb 5Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB827)
- Jan 23Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Jan 23Presented and ordered printed 26106042DIntroduced