Virginia SB 515: Electric Utility Regulation, Commission on; scope and name changes to Energy Commission of Virginia.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104323D

SENATE BILL NO. 515

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 30-201, 30-205, 45.2-1711, 45.2-1712, 45.2-1713, 56-579, 56-585.1:1, 56-585.1:5, 56-592, 56-592.1, 56-596, 56-596.1, 56-596.3, and 56-599 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal Chapter 25 (§§ 30-188 and 30-189) of Title 30 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Commission on Electric Utility Regulation; scope and name change.

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Patron—Deeds

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 30-201, 30-205, 45.2-1711, 45.2-1712, 45.2-1713, 56-579, 56-585.1:1, 56-585.1:5, 56-592, 56-592.1, 56-596, 56-596.1, 56-596.3, and 56-599 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

CHAPTER 31.

ENERGY COMMISSION ON ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION OF VIRGINIA.

§ 30-201. (Expires July 1, 2029) Energy Commission of Virginia; purpose.

The Commission on Electric Utility Restructuring established pursuant to Chapter 885 of the Acts of Assembly of 2003, is continued, effective July 1, 2008, as the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation established pursuant to Chapter 883 of the Acts of Assembly of 2008 as a continuation of the Commission on Electric Utility Restructuring is continued as the Energy Commission of Virginia (the Commission) within the legislative branch of state government. The purpose of the Commission is to monitor the State Corporation Commission's implementation of the Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act (§ 56-576 et seq.) regulation of electric utilities and natural gas utilities and examine issues related to the production, transmission, distribution, storage, and use of energy in the Commonwealth.

§ 30-205. (Expires July 1, 2029) Powers and duties of the Commission.

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Examine the production, transmission, distribution, storage, and use of energy in the Commonwealth, including energy efficiency and conservation, as part of monitoring the development and implementation of the Energy Policy of the Commonwealth (§ 45.2-1705 et seq.) and the Virginia Energy Plan (§ 45.2-1710 et seq.);

2. Monitor the work of the State Corporation Commission in its regulation of electric utilities and natural gas utilities, including its work implementing Chapter 10 (§ 56-232 et seq.), Chapter 10.1 (§ 56-265.1 et seq.), and Chapters 23 through 30 (§ 56-576 et seq.) of Title 56. The Commission shall receive an annual report from the State Corporation Commission by November 1 regarding such implementation and shall receive such other reports as the Commission may be required to make, including reviews, analyses, and impact on consumers of electric utility regulation in other states;

3. Act in an advisory capacity to the General Assembly upon energy-related matters;

2. 4. Examine generation, transmission, and distribution systems reliability concerns;

3. 5. Establish one or more subcommittees, composed of its membership, persons other members of the General Assembly with expertise in the matters under consideration by the Commission, or both, to meet at the direction of the chairman chair of the Commission, for any purpose within the scope of the purposes and duties prescribed to the Commission by § 30-201 and this section, provided that such persons who are not members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed from funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Commission for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties;

4. 6. Monitor applications by the Commonwealth for grants and awards for energy projects from the federal government;

5. 7. Consider legislation referred to it during any session of the General Assembly or other requests by members of the General Assembly;

6. 8. Conduct studies and gather information and data in order to accomplish its purposes set forth in § 30-201 and in connection with the faithful execution of the laws of the Commonwealth;

7. 9. Issue ratepayer impact statements pursuant to § 30-205.1; and

10. Consult with applicable state agencies on all matters regarding energy efficiency and conservation, including the promotion and implementation of initiatives for the public at large to conserve energy;

11. Coordinate its efforts with those of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (§ 23.1-2623 et seq.), Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (§ 45.2-1714 et seq.), Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority (§ 45.2-1717 et seq.), Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority (§ 45.2-1803 et seq.), Virginia Solar Energy Center (§ 45.2-1900), Clean Energy Advisory Board (§ 45.2-1912 et seq.), and Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority (§ 45.2-2102 et seq.) when such coordination is practicable and furthers the purposes of the Commission; and

8. 12. Report annually to the General Assembly and t