# Virginia SB708: Underground transmission lines; qualifying projects, pilot program.

Virginia SB708, Underground transmission lines; qualifying projects, pilot program., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Russet Perry (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Commerce and Labor) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB708-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB708
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Underground transmission lines; qualifying projects, pilot program.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-19
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Commerce and Labor
- Sponsor: Russet Perry (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (14 yes, 1 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Pilot program for underground transmission lines; qualifying projects. Increases the maximum capacity of qualifying electrical transmission lines, for purposes of the pilot project for underground transmission lines, from 230 kilovolts to 500 kilovolts. The bill provides that the State Corporation Commission shall approve additional qualifying projects as part of the pilot program that traverse along highways in developed areas where the route of proposed transmission lines and towers traverse areas protected by a scenic easement, view shed easement, areas of registered historic designation, or areas of conservation easements. Under the bill, existing requirements for qualifying projects shall continue to apply to such new category of qualifying projects.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Russet Perry (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-05 | Senate | Continued to 2025 in Commerce and Labor | pass | 14 | 1 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2024-02-05: Continued to 2025 in Commerce and Labor (14-Y 1-N) (Senate)
- 2024-01-29: Impact statement from SCC (SB708) (Senate)
- 2024-01-19: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2024-01-19: Presented and ordered printed 24105004D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-24: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB708)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB708)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB708-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).