VirginiaSiting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities, etc.
What it does
Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use. Deems battery energy storage projects as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts on any parcel of land that is subject to an approved special exception, as defined in the bill, for a commercial solar photovoltaic generation facility, if such battery energy storage project is located within the boundaries of the parcel covered by the existing special exception and complies with any applicable federal, state, and local safety or fire codes and environmental regulations. The bill prohibits a host locality from requiring a special exception or any other local land use approval on such battery energy storage project.
More detail
The bill clarifies that nothing in the provisions of the bill shall be construed to (i) limit the authority of a host locality to enforce compliance with applicable codes or ensure the safe operation of the battery energy storage project or (ii) preclude the developer of a battery energy storage project from negotiating a siting agreement with the host locality. The bill also clarifies that any battery energy storage project for which an initial interconnection request has been filed with an electric utility or a regional transmission organization prior to July 1, 2030, and is constructed in accordance with the provisions of the bill shall be subject to the applicable local ordinance and regulation in effect on July 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 443.
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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 12Governor's recommendation received by HouseLatest
- Apr 12Governor's recommendation received by HouseMinor
- Mar 14Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 14Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026Minor
- Mar 12Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 11EnrolledMinor
- Mar 11Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 11EnrolledMinor
- Mar 4Passed Senate (27-Y 11-N 1-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Read third timeMinor
- Mar 3Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 3Rules suspended
- Mar 2Reported from Local Government (11-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Local Government. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 6Referred to Committee on Local GovernmentMinor
- Feb 6Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 5Read third time and passed House (70-Y 28-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Read second time and engrossedMinor
- Feb 3Read first timeMinor
- Jan 30Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1Minor
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and TownsMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103655DIntroduced