VirginiaHB12552026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Net energy metering; standby charge, facility capacity.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Net energy metering; standby charge; facility capacity. Increases the minimum capacity from 15 kilowatts to an aggregate nameplate capacity of 20 kilowatts of alternating current for an electrical generating facility for which certain electric utility customers are required to pay a monthly standby charge as part of the net energy metering program.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Get paid for extra power

If you make more energy than you use over your 12‑month period, your supplier must, on written request, sign a power purchase agreement. It pays the Commission‑approved net metering rate unless you agree to a higher rate. You own your renewable energy certificates (RECs). When you sign the agreement, you have a one‑time option to sell your RECs to the supplier at a Commission‑set price. Suppliers may recover these purchase costs through their rate adjustment clauses.

Size and connect your renewable system

Homes can install up to 25 kW. Businesses can install up to 3 MW. From July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2020, systems cannot exceed your expected annual use based on the last 12 months (or annualized). For systems after July 1, 2020: Phase I areas cap size at 100% of expected use; Phase II at 150%. You must notify your utility and get approval before installing; it decides within 30 days (homes) or 60 days (businesses). Your meter reads two‑way power. You pay reasonable interconnection equipment and test costs, but no extra liability insurance is required. Time‑of‑use customers can net meter; if your plan has demand charges, you pay the extra metering cost.

Net metering options for farms

Farms qualify if they use solar, wind, or digester gas up to 500 kW. The system must be on land you own or control, on your side of the meter, and serve your farm accounts. You may combine meters at the same or adjacent sites. The state runs an agricultural net metering program (IOUs by July 1, 2014; co‑ops by July 1, 2015). Since July 1, 2017, you may choose to interconnect as an eligible agricultural generator or as a small agricultural generator, but not both. For co‑ops, new agricultural net metering interconnections ended July 1, 2019; pre‑2019 systems can keep net metering up to 25 years from when they first connected.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 40

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/11/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 86 • No: 11

House vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)

Yes: 19 • No: 3

House vote 2/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0762)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 762 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1255)

    4/6/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1255ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/11/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Commerce and Labor (9-Y 6-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1255)

    2/23/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/12/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/12/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House (86-Y 11-N 0-A)

    2/11/2026House
  20. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/10/2026House
  21. committee amendments agreed to

    2/10/2026House
  22. Read second time

    2/10/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  24. Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) (19-Y 3-N)

    2/5/2026House
  25. House subcommittee offered

    2/3/2026House

Bill Text

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