VirginiaHB4292026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Electric utilities; definitions, integrated resource plans, report.

Sponsored By: Destiny LeVere Bolling (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Electric utilities; integrated resource plans. Makes various changes related to the content and process for an integrated resource plan (IRP) developed by an electric utility that provides a forecast of its load obligations and a plan to meet those obligations. The bill (i) extends the planning timeframe from 15 to 20 years; (ii) requires Appalachian Power to file an IRP by removing an exception from the definition of "electric utility"; (iii) changes the frequency with which a utility is required to file an IRP from biennially to triennially; (iv) requires utilities to consider the use of grid-enhancing technologies as alternatives to new transmission infrastructure, and when new transmission lines are envisioned, to provide the reasons grid-enhancing technologies are not sufficient to defer or eliminate the need for new transmission infrastructure; and (v) requires utilities to consider the use of surplus interconnection service, as defined in the bill, to add new electric generation projects and energy storage resources to the grid. The bill requires that the current stakeholder review process for integrated resource plans be facilitated by a third-party facilitator selected by the State Corporation Commission and compensated by the utility. The bill requires, as part of the stakeholder review process, the utility to provide stakeholders with reasonable access to the same modeling software, modeling assumptions, modeling inputs, and data used by the utility to evaluate supply and demand resources in its integrated resource plan to enable stakeholders to create modeling scenarios for the utility's consideration during the development of its integrated resource plan. The bill requires the State Corporation Commission to (a) establish guidelines that ensure that utilities develop comprehensive integrated resource plans and provide meaningful public engagement and maximum transparency during the planning process; (b) conduct a proceeding by July 1, 2027, and at least once every five years thereafter, to identify and review each of its existing orders relevant to integrated resource plans to determine if such orders remain necessary and effective and are not overly burdensome; and (c) convene a work group to make recommendations on the required guidelines. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to SB 249.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Longer planning and more future scenarios

Utilities now plan over 20 years instead of 15. Each plan must include at least three future scenarios for capacity, supply, and demand. Utilities must also provide any extra information the Commission asks for about meeting customer needs.

Plan for storage and a stronger grid

Utilities must include energy storage in their plans to meet demand and keep service reliable. They must evaluate contracts, owned or new generation, demand-side programs, and needed transmission and distribution upgrades. They must assess grid-enhancing technologies and advanced conductors, or explain why they are not included. They must make long-term efficiency plans that help low-income, elderly, and disabled customers. Plans should also consider using surplus interconnection capacity to add new generation and storage.

Stronger planning for low cost, low carbon power

Each utility must choose one preferred mix of resources that serves the public interest. Plans must count a social cost of carbon when comparing CO2-emitting plants. Utilities must list least-cost options using trusted long-term data, such as NREL's Annual Technology Baseline. Models must meet state energy savings targets and include at least one scenario that goes beyond them using tools like efficiency, dynamic pricing, storage, virtual power plants, and managed EV charging. If a plan limits any technology, the utility must explain why.

Public input and modeling access each year

Each utility runs a yearly public stakeholder review with a third-party facilitator. The Commission picks the facilitator from a list the utility provides, and the utility pays the cost. The facilitator must be independent, file a statement of economic interests, and report any conflicts. Utilities must give stakeholders reasonable access to the same modeling software, data, and assumptions. Stakeholders may submit full scenarios by June 1, and utilities may require a confidentiality agreement.

Regular IRP filings and yearly updates

Starting in 2027 for Phase II utilities and in 2028 for Phase I, each utility files an updated IRP every three years. File by October 15 in the year before the utility's biennial rate review; that filing replaces a separate plan filing required under another law for that year. After January 1, 2024, utilities not on annual review must file an annual IRP update by October 15 in each year they face a rate review. Each update must refresh energy and demand forecasts, fuel prices, efficiency and demand-side forecasts, and unit retirement dates, and explain how these changes affect the last approved plan.

Stronger state rules and review timelines

After notice and a hearing, the Commission decides within nine months if an IRP is reasonable and in the public interest. The Commission sets IRP guidelines that require strong public engagement and clear reporting, and utilities must follow them. By July 1, 2027, and at least every five years, the Commission reviews existing IRP orders to see if they are still needed and effective. A broad stakeholder work group reports recommendations by March 1, 2027. The Commission adopts IRP regulations by September 1, 2027.

Early notice on power plant retirements

Utilities must study when their Virginia power plants that emit carbon dioxide may retire. They must include the study in the IRP and disclose it to local planning bodies, local elected boards, and state agencies. The disclosure must list the drivers and the expected retirement year. Plants that meet related state law criteria must also follow that law's public disclosure rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Destiny LeVere Bolling

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 322 • No: 188

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 72 • No: 24

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 0 • No: 99

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 8 • No: 6

House vote 2/11/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 84 • No: 13

House vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 17 • No: 5

House vote 2/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0607)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 607 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB429)

    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 (HB429ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by House (72-Y 24-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  12. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  13. House Conferees: LeVere Bolling, Shin, O'Quinn

    3/12/2026House
  14. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  15. House acceded to request

    3/12/2026House
  16. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  17. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  18. Senate Conferees: Surovell, Rouse, Obenshain

    3/12/2026Senate
  19. Senate requested conference committee

    3/12/2026Senate
  20. Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 99-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  21. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  22. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/10/2026Senate
  24. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  25. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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