All Roll Calls
Yes: 295 • No: 24
Sponsored By: Michael B. Feggans (Democratic)
Became Law
Electric utilities; high energy demand customers; demand flexibility programs; reports. Directs Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power to file a petition with the State Corporation Commission by January 15, 2027, for approval of voluntary demand flexibility programs that apply to high energy demand customers, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the Commission to consider all forms of demand flexibility and other specific factors in approving each such program. The bill directs each cooperative that serves one or more high energy demand customers to establish a voluntary demand flexibility program for such customers by January 1, 2029. Under the bill, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power are required to file status reports on their demand flexibility programs with the Commission three years after initial program approval and every three years thereafter. Additionally, in 2028 and annually thereafter, the Commission is required to submit information summarizing the status and performance of such programs as part of an existing report. This bill is identical to SB 371.
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Programs must consider many ways to cut or shift peak load, such as spatial load shifting, dynamic voltage or frequency changes, and energy storage. Programs may use capacity reduction credits, which are standard, measured, and verified units approved by the Commission. Carbon-emitting generators cannot participate in these programs. The Commission sets the measurement and verification rules for credits and program savings.
Each electric cooperative that serves one or more high energy demand customers must set up a voluntary demand flexibility program by January 1, 2029. Each co-op must form a technical work group with big users, other customers, and environmental voices and send a report by September 30, 2027. After public comment, if the Commission accepts the report, the co-op may implement programs with a board vote and fewer extra filings. Co-ops must propose a demand flexibility standard and may use different standards for customers that began service before July 1, 2026.
A high energy demand customer uses 25 megawatts or more and has a 75% or higher average annual load factor. Contracted defense facilities are not included. Programs may offer incentives to get these customers to join, including faster interconnections when reliability is protected. Incentives must not unreasonably shift program or admin costs onto other customers. Any incentive must be backed by measured and verified cuts in peak demand or verified load reductions bought from other customers.
Phase I and Phase II utilities must file plans for voluntary demand flexibility programs by January 15, 2027. The Commission must issue final orders by November 30, 2027 and sets yearly demand flexibility standards. Utilities must make best, reasonable efforts to meet or beat the standard each year. Three years after a program is approved, and every three years after, utilities file performance reports. Starting September 1, 2028, the Commission includes statewide program results in its annual report. The Commission may set different standards for customers that began service before July 1, 2026. These programs are designed to maximize system savings and reliability.
Michael B. Feggans
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 295 • No: 24
House vote • 3/2/2026
Senate substitute agreed to by House
Yes: 98 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Passed Senate with substitute
Yes: 24 • No: 16
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute
Yes: 8 • No: 6
House vote • 2/17/2026
Read third time and passed House Block Vote
Yes: 97 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute
Yes: 20 • No: 0
House vote • 2/10/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0377)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 377 (effective 7/1/2026)
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB284)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB284ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB284)
Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 1-N 0-A)
Passed Senate with substitute (24-Y 16-N 0-A)
Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Committee substitute printed 26108365D-S1
Senate committee offered
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (8-Y 6-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB284)
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
Chaptered
4/8/2026
Enrolled
3/5/2026
Substitute
2/24/2026
Substitute
2/23/2026
Substitute
2/13/2026
Substitute
2/11/2026
Substitute
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/9/2026
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