VirginiaSB3272026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Electric utilities; pilot program for electric energy conservation, solar energy generation.

Sponsored By: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Electric utilities; pilot program for electric energy conservation, generation, and storage. Requires American Electric Power and Dominion Energy Virginia to each petition the State Corporation Commission by December 31, 2026, to conduct a pilot program for electric energy conservation, solar energy generation, and energy storage resources for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals. The bill directs the Commission to convene a technical conference to evaluate the creation of an energy efficiency program meeting certain requirements by November 1, 2026. Under the bill, if the Commission determines that such a program is feasible for implementation by American Electric Power and Dominion Energy Virginia, the Commission shall require such utilities to petition for approval by May 1, 2027, to implement such programs. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2034. This bill is identical to HB 1062.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Energy upgrades for low-income, seniors, disabled

Each Phase I and Phase II electric utility runs a pilot for energy savings, solar, and home batteries. The pilot serves low-income, seniors, and people with disabilities in each utility’s Virginia service area. Utilities must ask the State Corporation Commission for approval by December 31, 2026. The pilot lasts until it is changed or until July 1, 2034. In year one, Phase II funds $23 million and Phase I funds $5 million; after that, funding grows each year by the larger of the CPI‑U change or the utility’s 15‑year growth rate. Utilities pay incentives directly to customers. Phase II utilities must make reasonable efforts to prioritize low- and moderate-income, elderly, and disabled residents in housing owned or controlled by a redevelopment and housing authority. Program costs are recoverable in rates, which can affect utility bills.

Study of Pay-As-You-Save utility program

The State Corporation Commission holds a technical meeting by November 1, 2026 to study a Pay As You Save–style program with customer protections. If it finds the program feasible and in the public interest, it requires Phase I and Phase II utilities to seek approval to offer it by May 1, 2027. This sets up possible future on-bill upgrade options; it does not change your bill or rights now.

Pilot programs end July 1, 2034

The law ends these pilot program authorities on July 1, 2034 unless the law is changed earlier. On that date, utilities no longer have to run or fund the pilots.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 79

Senate vote 3/3/2026

House substitute agreed to by Senate

Yes: 20 • No: 20

House vote 2/27/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 67 • No: 29

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 6

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0728)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 728 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB327)

    3/12/2026Senate
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB327ER)

    3/9/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  10. House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB327)

    3/2/2026Senate
  12. Passed House with substitute (67-Y 29-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  13. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/27/2026House
  14. committee substitute agreed to

    2/27/2026House
  15. Read third time

    2/27/2026House
  16. Read second time

    2/26/2026House
  17. Committee substitute printed 26108440D-H1

    2/25/2026House
  18. House committee offered

    2/24/2026House
  19. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (15-Y 6-N)

    2/24/2026House
  20. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    2/18/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/18/2026House
  22. Placed on Calendar

    2/18/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB327)

    2/17/2026Senate
  24. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  25. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

    2/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

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