VirginiaSB3712026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Electric utilities; electric demand flexibility programs, high energy demand customers, report.

Sponsored By: Jeremy S. McPike (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

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 HB 284.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Cooperatives must set up programs by 2029

Electric cooperatives that serve very large users must create a voluntary demand flexibility program by January 1, 2029. These users have 25 megawatts or more of demand and a 75%+ average annual load factor. Each cooperative must form a technical work group, invite stakeholders, and study all forms of demand flexibility. The group must send a report to the Commission by September 30, 2027. If the Commission finds the report sufficient and the cooperative board approves, the cooperative can launch programs without more Commission approval, with required filings. Cooperatives must propose a demand flexibility target and make reasonable efforts to meet it.

New demand flexibility options for large users

Phase I and Phase II utilities must set up voluntary demand flexibility programs for very large power users. These are customers with 25 megawatts or more of demand and a 75%+ average annual load factor. Utilities must file program petitions by January 15, 2027. The State Corporation Commission must issue a final order by November 30, 2027 and set a yearly demand flexibility target the utility must try to meet. Petitions must analyze many ways to cut or shift load, like shifting use, storage, and credits. The Commission decides how all reductions are measured and verified.

Program rules: no carbon, fair incentives

Carbon-emitting generators cannot take part in these demand flexibility programs. Any incentives for large users must not unfairly shift program or admin costs to other customers. Incentives can include faster, open, and transparent interconnection steps. Incentives only apply when peak or load cuts are measured and verified, including load reductions secured from other retail customers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeremy S. McPike

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 226 • No: 37

Senate vote 3/11/2026

House substitute agreed to by Senate

Yes: 22 • No: 18

House vote 3/10/2026

Passed House with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 3/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 13

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 (CHAP0378)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 378 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB371)

    4/6/2026Senate
  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

    3/31/2026Senate
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB371ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB371)

    3/24/2026Senate
  11. House substitute agreed to by Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  12. Passed House with substitute Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026House
  13. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    3/10/2026House
  14. committee substitute agreed to

    3/10/2026House
  15. Read third time

    3/10/2026House
  16. Read second time

    3/9/2026House
  17. Committee substitute printed 26108390D-H1

    3/5/2026House
  18. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (21-Y 0-N)

    3/5/2026House
  19. House subcommittee offered

    3/3/2026House
  20. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 0-N)

    3/3/2026House
  21. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

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

    2/18/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/18/2026House
  24. Placed on Calendar

    2/18/2026House
  25. Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 13-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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