# Virginia SB645: Air Pollution Control Board; regulations, small renewable energy projects, anaerobic tech., report.

Virginia SB645, Air Pollution Control Board; regulations, small renewable energy projects, anaerobic tech., report., 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 (CHAP0901)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB645-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB645
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Air Pollution Control Board; regulations, small renewable energy projects, anaerobic tech., report.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0901)
- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 14 (425 yes, 74 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 2

## 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.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Grid connections count as part of projects: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, dedicated grid-connection equipment counts as part of qualifying small renewable energy projects in Virginia. This includes tie lines, collector lines, substations, switching stations, and other equipment needed to connect to the grid. Existing capacity limits remain: 150 me…
- More waste-energy projects qualify with digestion requirement: benefit, low. The law adds a small renewable energy project category for facilities in Virginia's Planning District 8. Facilities must generate electricity from biomass, energy from waste, or municipal solid waste, with capacity no greater than 100 megawatts. By January 1, 2030, they must be able to process most…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

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

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-14 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 22 | 17 |   |
| 2026-03-14 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 87 | 10 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | Senate | Senate acceded to request Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | House substitute rejected by Senate | fail | 0 | 40 |   |
| 2026-03-05 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 93 | 5 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | House | Reported from Appropriations with substitute | pass | 22 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations | pass | 10 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | House | Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute and referred to Appropriations | pass | 20 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) | pass | 38 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 38 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (55)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0901) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 901 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB645ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-20: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645) (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Conference report agreed to by House (87-Y 10-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-13: Conference Report released
- 2026-03-12: House Conferees: Tran, Simonds, Ware (House)
- 2026-03-12: Conferees appointed by House (House)
- 2026-03-11: Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Senate Conferees: Surovell, Williams Graves, Pekarsky (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: House requested conference committee (House)
- 2026-03-10: House insisted on substitute (House)
- 2026-03-09: House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645) (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Passed House with substitute (93-Y 5-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-05: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-03-05: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-05: committee substitute rejected (House)
- 2026-03-05: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-04: Read second time (House)
- 2026-03-02: Committee substitute printed 26108798D-H2 (House)
- 2026-03-02: Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-26: Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources (House)
- 2026-02-25: Committee substitute printed 26108639D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-25: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-25: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute and referred to Appropriations (20-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-02-25: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-24: Assigned HACNR sub: Natural Resources (House)
- 2026-02-19: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (House)
- 2026-02-19: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-19: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-16: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute printed 26107665D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB645) (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102504D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1223148.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1223147.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214546.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214545.PDF)
- Conference Report, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211200.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211197.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211196.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188627.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188626.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-25: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179413.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179360.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179353.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179412.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179352.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179359.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143295.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143294.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139067.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139066.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091617.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091616.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/1223148.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1223147.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214546.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214545.PDF)
- [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211200.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211197.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211196.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188627.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188626.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179413.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179360.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179353.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179412.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179352.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179359.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143295.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143294.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139067.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139066.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091617.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091616.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)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB645-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).