VirginiaSB722026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report.

Sponsored By: Kannan Srinivasan (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Phase I and Phase II Utilities; energy efficiency upgrades; low-income residents; report. States that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to reduce, wherever feasible and cost-effective, heating-related costs of living for low-income residents. The bill requires Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power to make best, reasonable efforts to provide by December 31, 2031, prescriptive efficiency measures, as defined in the bill, and related efficiency improvements to at least 30 percent of the qualifying households, as defined in the bill, identified by such utilities, provided that the State Corporation Commission determines that such measures and improvements are in the public interest. The bill requires such utilities to report to the Commission its activities, plans, and filings regarding the bill's provisions no later than January 1, 2028, annually thereafter, and in any recurring filing that the Commission deems appropriate. The bill also requires that Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power make reasonable efforts to incorporate recommendations or feedback provided by the task force that evaluates barriers to access and enrollment in programs for income-qualified energy customers. This bill is identical to HB 2.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Lower heating costs for low‑income homes

Phase I and II electric utilities must give energy upgrades to qualifying low‑income households. Utilities must reach at least 30% of qualifying households, or no more than 2,000 (Phase I) or 8,400 (Phase II), by December 31, 2031, if the Commission finds the targets in the public interest. The utility or its agent (not the installer) identifies eligible homes and uses credible energy data to show upgrades will lower yearly heating costs and cut onsite air pollution, with focus on indoor air. Low‑income means your income is at or below the largest of: 60% of the state median, 80% of the local median, or 200% of the federal poverty level. A qualifying home must rely on delivered, stored fuel; have appliance efficiency under 83%; be a customer of a Phase I or II utility; and be eligible for or have received building‑envelope upgrades. Prescriptive measures must reduce or end use of delivered fuel, can be paired with insulation, and cannot include equipment that burns delivered fuel.

More help and coordination for low‑income upgrades

Utilities must work with the U.S. Department of Energy and Virginia DHCD to use state or federal funds to lower program costs. DHCD must make all of its low‑income efficiency programs available to support utility programs. Utilities must make reasonable efforts to use task force advice to remove sign‑up barriers and better coordinate help across utility, state, and federal programs. This coordination covers multifamily buildings, single‑family homes, and manufactured homes.

Utility reports, incentives, and target flexibility

By January 1, 2028, and every year after, each utility reports its activities, plans, and progress to the Commission. At least every three years, utilities must file updated, aggregated ratepayer data on bill and energy savings from all efficiency and demand response programs, and any potential‑savings study must include a scenario with 75% customer awareness in each class. The Commission may give performance‑based incentives, including early action credit for measures installed before January 1, 2030. Before January 1, 2030, the Commission can adjust the targets. The Commission cannot penalize a utility for not meeting the targets.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kannan Srinivasan

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 231 • No: 115

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 65 • No: 33

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 21 • No: 18

House vote 3/3/2026

Passed House

Yes: 64 • No: 34

House vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce

Yes: 16 • No: 5

Senate vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

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 (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0985)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB72ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 985 (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

    4/13/2026Governor
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB72)

    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 (SB72ER)

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Enrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  18. Passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026House
  19. Read third time

    3/3/2026House
  20. Read second time

    3/2/2026House
  21. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB72)

    2/26/2026Senate
  22. Reported from Labor and Commerce (16-Y 5-N)

    2/26/2026House
  23. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    2/24/2026House
  24. Read first time

    2/24/2026House
  25. Placed on Calendar

    2/24/2026House

Bill Text

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