Virginia HB 1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105601D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1393

Offered January 21, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 45.2-1706.1 and 56-585.1:2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals; cost recovery for certain electrical facilities; Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy; energy affordability and reliability.

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Patrons—LeVere Bolling, Keys-Gamarra, McAuliff and McQuinn

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 45.2-1706.1 and 56-585.1:2 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 45.2-1706.1. Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy.

A. The Commonwealth recognizes that effectively addressing climate change and enhancing resilience will advance the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth further recognizes that addressing climate change requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the Commonwealth's economy sufficient to reach net-zero emission by 2045 in all sectors, including the electric power, transportation, industrial, agricultural, building, and infrastructure sectors. To achieve these objectives, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to:

1. Develop energy resources necessary to produce 30 percent of Virginia's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and 100 percent of Virginia's electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040;

2. Enable widespread integration of distributed energy resources, including energy storage and rooftop solar, into the grid to achieve decarbonization and to enhance resilience;

3. Support the distributed generation of renewable electricity by:

a. Encouraging private sector investments in distributed renewable energy;

b. Increasing the security of the electricity grid by supporting distributed renewable energy projects and energy storage with the potential to supply electric energy to critical facilities during a widespread power outage; and

c. Enhancing the ability of private property owners to generate their own renewable energy for their own personal use from renewable energy sources on their property;

4. Lead by example in state government by supporting the carbon-free energy resources required to fully decarbonize the electric power supply of the Commonwealth, including deploying 30 percent renewables by 2030, realizing 100 percent carbon-free electric power by 2040, and achieving net zero emissions by 2045;

5. Maximize energy efficiency programs as defined in § 56-576, to the extent determined to be in the public interest, that are the lowest-cost energy option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to produce electricity cost savings and to create jobs and economic opportunity from the energy efficiency sector;

6. Support net-zero emission targets by promoting zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure, including electrified transport, decreasing the carbon intensity of the transportation sector, encouraging alternative transportation options, and increasing the efficiency of motor vehicles operating on Virginia's roads;

7. Support electric distribution grid transformation projects as defined in § 56-576;

8. Promote building and construction practices that reduce emissions associated with built environment, including energy efficiency targets, new building standards, and transit-oriented and other sustainable development practices; and

9. Ensure that energy development projects avoid, minimize, and, if necessary, mitigate damage to the Commonwealth's natural and cultural resources.

B. The Commonwealth recognizes the need to promote environmental justice and ensure that it is carried out throughout the Commonwealth, as provided in § 2.2-235, and the need to address and prevent energy inequities in historically economically disadvantaged communities, as defined in § 56-576. To achieve these objectives, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to:

1. Recognize the disproportionate and inequitable impacts of climate change on historically economically disadvantaged communities and prioritize solutions and investment in these communities to maximize the benefits of clean energy and minimize the burdens of climate change;

2. Ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement, as those terms are defined in § 2.2-234, of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, faith, disability, or income with respect to the administration of energy laws, regulations, and policies; and

3. Increase access to clean energy and the benefits from clean energy to historically economically disadvantaged communities.

C. As Virginia transforms its energy economy, the Commonwealth must shall continue to prioritize customer affordability, economic competiveness competitiveness, grid reliability, and workforce development in an equitable manner. To achieve this objective, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to:

1.