VirginiaSB6452026 Regular SessionSenate

Air Pollution Control Board; regulations, small renewable energy projects, anaerobic tech., report.

Sponsored By: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Air Pollution Control Board regulations; small renewable energy projects; anaerobic digestion technology; report. Provides that for the purposes of a permit by rule for a small renewable energy project under existing law, a small renewable energy project includes an electrical generation facility in a locality in Planning District 8 with a rated capacity not exceeding 100 megawatts that generates electricity from biomass, energy from waste, or municipal solid waste and its dedicated associated interconnection facilities, provided that such facility is capable of processing the majority of its organic waste, including food waste and municipal sludge, with anaerobic digestion technology by January 1, 2030. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality, in coordination with relevant stakeholders, to (i) assess all practicable technologies available to waste-to-energy facilities to reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions, (ii) assess technologies to create biomethane, and (iii) recommend any legislative changes necessary to create market conditions to ensure the viability of such program. The bill also directs the Department to report its findings to the Air Pollution Control Board by December 1, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New rules for small renewable projects

The law clarifies what counts in a small renewable energy project. Beginning July 1, 2026, dedicated interconnection equipment counts as part of the project. It applies to solar or wind up to 150 MW. It applies to hydro, wave, tide, or geothermal up to 100 MW. It applies to biomass, energy-from-waste, or municipal solid waste up to 20 MW. It applies to energy storage up to 150 MW and related hybrids. In Planning District 8, facilities 100 MW or less that use biomass or waste must process most organic waste, including food waste and municipal sludge, with anaerobic digestion by January 1, 2030. Until July 1, 2026, current definitions still apply. The change clarifies permits and planning but may widen compliance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Scott A. Surovell

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 425 • No: 74

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 87 • No: 10

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 22 • No: 17

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 40

House vote 3/5/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 93 • No: 5

House vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/25/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 20 • No: 2

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading)

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0901)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 901 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645)

    3/31/2026Senate
  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 (SB645ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645)

    3/20/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  12. Conference report agreed to by House (87-Y 10-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  13. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  14. House Conferees: Tran, Simonds, Ware

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

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

    3/11/2026Senate
  17. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/11/2026Senate
  18. Senate Conferees: Surovell, Williams Graves, Pekarsky

    3/11/2026Senate
  19. House requested conference committee

    3/10/2026House
  20. House insisted on substitute

    3/10/2026House
  21. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645)

    3/9/2026Senate
  23. Passed House with substitute (93-Y 5-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026House
  24. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    3/5/2026House
  25. committee substitute agreed to

    3/5/2026House

Bill Text

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