VirginiaSB5082026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Electric utilities; comprehensive assessments, surplus interconnection service.

Sponsored By: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Electric utilities; surplus interconnection service sites. Directs Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia to undertake a comprehensive assessment of available interconnection capacity at each such utility's existing and planned intermittent electric generation facilities located in the Commonwealth. The bill directs such utilities to establish pilot programs for energy storage resources and solar generation facilities that utilize surplus interconnection service, as defined in the bill, including a request for proposals. The bill requires such utilities to submit the results of such requests for proposals as part of their 2027 plans and petitions for approval for the development of new solar and onshore wind generation capacity, which plans are required under existing law. This bill is identical to HB 1065.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Pilot projects use surplus grid capacity

Phase I utilities run pilots up to 100 MW, and Phase II up to 500 MW, for energy storage and, if practicable, solar using surplus interconnection. The Commission must approve an independent auditor by March 1, 2027 to help write the RFPs and review results. Pilot RFPs must allow PPA projects that use an existing interconnection with a storage tolling agreement, and projects next to utility-owned solar that use surplus interconnection for acquisition. Utilities must include RFP results in their 2027 filing when asking to build or buy from selected projects. Utilities can exceed the 100 MW or 500 MW caps if the Commission approves it.

Utilities must map unused solar interconnections

Phase I and Phase II utilities must map interconnection capacity at Virginia solar sites and flag any surplus. They must list all facilities with interconnection deals, state each site’s capacity rights, and show unused capacity at each point. Phase I must name at least 2 feasible points; Phase II must name at least 5. The report is due to the State Corporation Commission by January 1, 2027. The law also defines key terms like capacity interconnection rights and surplus interconnection service to make the rules clear.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 238 • No: 109

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 22 • No: 16 • Other: 1

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 65 • No: 33

House vote 2/27/2026

Passed House

Yes: 64 • No: 32

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce

Yes: 15 • No: 7

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 23 • No: 15 • Other: 1

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. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 16-N 1-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1013)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB508ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1013 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

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

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

    4/11/2026Governor
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB508)

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

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

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB508ER)

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Enrolled

    3/4/2026Senate
  16. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  18. Passed House (64-Y 32-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  19. Read third time

    2/27/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/26/2026House
  21. Reported from Labor and Commerce (15-Y 7-N)

    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. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB508)

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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