# Virginia SB254: Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase II Utility.

Virginia SB254, Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase II Utility., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Scott A. Surovell (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0671)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB254-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB254
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase II Utility.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0671)
- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 7 (173 yes, 37 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 6

## Summary

Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase II Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Dominion Energy Virginia. Under the bill, Dominion Energy Virginia is authorized to release an additional 525 megawatts of capacity as part two of such program upon the earlier of (i) a determination that at least 90 percent of the aggregate program capacity has been subscribed and project construction is substantially complete or (ii) July 1, 2026. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to petition the Commission to initiate a proceeding to determine the capacity for part three of such program on or before part two of such program is substantially complete for 268 megawatts of capacity. The bill directs the Commission to evaluate the costs and benefits of the shared solar program under such proceeding and to consider the results of such proceeding in determining any future allocations of shared solar capacity and changes in program design. The bill directs the Commission to update its regulations on shared solar programs to comply with the provisions of the bill by December 31, 2026, and to require each participating utility to file any tariffs, agreements, or forms necessary for implementation of such programs by March 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 807.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Solar subscribers gain protections and fee caps: benefit, medium. All customer classes can participate without changing classes, and subscriptions can transfer or move within the same utility territory. Residential eligibility cannot require credit checks; low-income customers are protected from early termination fees and credit reporting. Sharing billing or usag…
- More shared solar capacity for customers: benefit, medium. The program starts with 200 MW; utilities must release another 525 MW by July 1, 2026, or earlier once at least 90% is subscribed and construction is substantially complete. Of the added capacity, 450 MW serves projects with no more than 51% low-income customers; 75 MW allows projects serving more…
- Utilities can recover shared solar costs: cost, low. Phase II utilities can recover the difference between subscriber bill credits and the cost of solar energy sent to the grid. They can treat that difference as purchased-power costs and recover reasonable program administration and connection costs. Connection procedures must be fair, efficient, and…
- Rules for joining shared solar: mixed, medium. Virginia customers can subscribe to shared solar only within the facility’s utility service territory. Each facility must connect to a Phase II utility, occupy one parcel, and have at least three subscribers. Its capacity cannot exceed 5,000 kW; at least 40% must serve customers with subscriptions…
- Solar subscribers get credits with limits: mixed, medium. Subscribers receive credits based on their share of solar generation and their customer class’s annual revenue-per-kilowatt-hour rate. The Commission sets a minimum bill, considering utility costs, solar benefits, and costs shifted to customers outside the program. Households earning no more than 8…
- Later solar projects must transfer certificates: mixed, low. Organizations retain environmental attributes, including renewable energy certificates, for facilities registered within the first 200 MW of awarded capacity. They can sell, distribute, hold, or retire those attributes. Facilities registered after the first 200 MW must transfer their certificates t…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Passed House | pass | 83 | 13 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Reported from Labor and Commerce | pass | 17 | 4 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 24 | 15 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute | pass | 9 | 5 |   |

## Actions (30)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0671) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 671 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB254) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB254ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-02-27: Passed House (83-Y 13-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-27: Read third time (House)
- 2026-02-26: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-24: Reported from Labor and Commerce (17-Y 4-N) (House)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2026-02-18: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-18: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-16: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB254) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 15-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Committee substitute printed 26107086D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 5-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB254) (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105210D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221644.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221643.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188799.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188798.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136038.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136037.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135780.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135779.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087000.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086999.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221644.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221643.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188799.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188798.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136038.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136037.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135780.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135779.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087000.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086999.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB254-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).