VirginiaSB2532026 Regular SessionSenate

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.

Sponsored By: L. Louise Lucas (Democratic)

Passed

Summary

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. Amends annual funding commitments for the purposes of the annual pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals conducted by Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power Company. Under the bill, Appalachian Power Company is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $1 million and no greater than $1.5 million annually. Dominion Energy Virginia is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $156 million and no greater than $204 million for the time period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending July 1, 2038. The bill extends the sunset date of such pilot programs from July 1, 2028, to July 1, 2038.The bill also provides that Dominion Energy Virginia may recover costs associated with certain electrical facilities that have been approved by the State Corporation Commission as of December 1, 2033, provided that certain requirements are met and notwithstanding any limitations on such cost recovery in current law. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to propose to the Commission, in any proceeding to determine rates for generation and distribution services commencing after January 1, 2027, and before July 1, 2033, that certain costs related to capacity procurement requirements and distribution infrastructure investments are allocated to the utility's customer class approved to serve customers with a contracted or measured electric demand of 25 megawatts or greater and an anticipated or measured average annual electric load factor of 75 percent or greater. The bill provides that certain customers in manufacturing, industrial, or consumer goods warehousing and distribution activities other than data storage may elect to remain on their existing rate schedule. The bill requires Dominion Energy Virginia, in connection with its first proceeding to determine rates for generation and distribution services commencing after July 1, 2026, to include in its petition to the Commission a proposal to revise its tariff for supplementary, maintenance, or standby service for customers with power plants, effective as of January 1, 2028. The bill provides that the Commission shall only approve such proposal if it determines that such tariff will not adversely affect other retail customers or the utility in a manner contrary to the public interest, and any revised tariff terms shall include protections against stranded cost risks to the utility customer base. Additionally, the bill authorizes Dominion Energy Virginia to file a petition for the securitization of certain deferred fuel costs.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • L. Louise Lucas

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 448 • No: 162

House vote 4/22/2026

Governor's amendments nos. 7, 9, and 10 agreed to

Yes: 73 • No: 25

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Governor's recommendation Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 passed by (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Nos. 7, 9, and 10

Yes: 37 • No: 2

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 73 • No: 23

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 39

House vote 3/3/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 66 • No: 32

House vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 18 • No: 3

Senate vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Senator McDougle Amendment rejected

Yes: 19 • No: 20

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Finance and Appropriations Amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments

Yes: 14 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote 2/9/2026

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

Yes: 13 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor's amendments nos. 7, 9, and 10 agreed to (73-Y 25-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Governor's recommendation Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 passed by (Voice Vote)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Nos. 7, 9, and 10 (37-Y 2-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB253ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Communicated to Governor

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  10. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  11. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

    4/13/2026Governor
  12. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB253)

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

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

    3/31/2026Senate
  15. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  16. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB253ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  17. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  18. Signed by President

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

    3/14/2026Senate
  20. Conference report agreed to by House (73-Y 23-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  21. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  22. House Conferees: LeVere Bolling, Torian, Kilgore

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

    3/12/2026House
  24. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  25. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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