SB 998 — Electric utilities; offshore wind development.
Last action — Enacted, Chapter 1279 (effective 7/1/20)
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House of Delegates
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 16, 2020. Enacted.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 9 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
Electric utilities; offshore wind development. Provides that the construction or purchase by a public utility of one or more offshore wind generation facilities located off the Commonwealth's Atlantic shoreline or in federal waters and interconnected directly into the Commonwealth, with an aggregate capacity of up to 5,200 megawatts, is in the public interest. The measure provides that construction by Dominion Energy Virginia of one or more new utility-owned and utility-operated generating facilities utilizing energy derived from offshore wind and located off the Commonwealth's Atlantic shoreline, with an aggregate rated capacity between 2,500 megawatts and 3,000 megawatts, along with electrical transmission or distribution facilities associated therewith for interconnection is in the public interest. The measure provides that the State Corporation Commission will determine the reasonableness and prudence of associated costs and will presume such costs to be reasonable and prudent if certain criteria are met. The measure provides that such costs shall be allocated to all customers of the utility in the Commonwealth as a non-bypassable charge, irrespective of the generation supplier of any such customer except for low-income customers and certain commercial and industrial customers. The measure requires the utility to (i) identify options for utilizing local workers; (ii) identify the economic development benefits of the project for the Commonwealth, including capital investments and job creation; (iii) consult with relevant governmental entities, including the Commonwealth's Chief Workforce Development Officer and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, on opportunities to advance the Commonwealth's workforce and economic development goals, including furtherance of apprenticeship and other workforce training programs; and (iv) give priority to the hiring of local workers, including workers from historically economically disadvantaged communities.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
29 added · 30 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill SB 998 includes some clarifications regarding the costs associated with connecting renewable energy facilities to the electrical grid. Specifically, it emphasizes that these costs should not be excessively high compared to traditional energy sources and must be carefully reviewed to ensure fairness and accountability. This change matters because it aims to promote renewable energy development while protecting customers from potential unfair pricing, ultimately supporting Virginia's goals for cleaner energy and reducing carbon emissions.
SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version CHAPTERVIRGINIA 1279ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 56-585.1:11, relating to electric utilities;
[S 998] Approved April 22, 2020 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
View plain text versions (5)
- Enrolled Reenrolled bill text (SB998ER2) html April 22, 2020
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1279) View text Current html April 22, 2020
- SB998S2 View text html April 11, 2020
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB998ER) View text html March 12, 2020
- SB998H1 View text html March 03, 2020
Action History
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Enacted, Chapter 1279 (effective 7/1/20)
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Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
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Signed by President as reenrolled
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Reenrolled bill text (SB998ER2)
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Reenrolled
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Governor's recommendation adopted
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VOTE: (52-Y 40-N)
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House concurred in Governor's recommendation (52-Y 40-N)
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Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (26-Y 14-N)
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Amendments specific and severable (40-Y 0-N)
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Governor's substitute printed 20110088D-S2
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Governor's recommendation received by Senate
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Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2020
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Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 17, 2020
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Impact statement from SCC (SB998ER)
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Signed by Speaker
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Signed by President
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Enrolled
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VOTE: Passage (54-Y 41-N)
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Passed House (54-Y 41-N)
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Amendments by Delegate Rasoul withdrawn
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Substitute by Delegate Rasoul withdrawn 20109515D-H1
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Read third time
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House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
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Passed by temporarily
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Passed by for the day
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Passed by for the day
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Read third time
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Floor substitute printed 20109515D-H1 (Rasoul)
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Read second time
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Reported from Labor and Commerce (13-Y 7-N)
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Impact statement from SCC (SB998S1)
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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
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Read first time
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Placed on Calendar
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Passed Senate (29-Y 11-N)
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Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
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Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB998S1
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Committee substitute agreed to 20107544D-S1
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Reading of substitute waived
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Amendments by Senator DeSteph withdrawn
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Read second time
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Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
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Committee substitute printed 20107544D-S1
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Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (11-Y 4-N)
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Impact statement from SCC (SB998)
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Assigned C&L sub: Energy
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Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
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Presented and ordered printed 20105323D
Sponsors
- L. Louise Lucas · Primary
- Joseph D. Morrissey · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 59 voted No
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (1)
- Joseph D. Morrissey
Not signed on (146)
146 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 146 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 51 | 40 | 0 | 8 |
| Total | 51 | 40 | 0 | 8 |
| % of votes cast | 52% | 40% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 26 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 65% | 35% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 53 | 41 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 53 | 41 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 54% | 41% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 13 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 13 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 59% | 32% | 0% | 9% |
How each member voted (22)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Lindsey, Joseph C. | — | Not Voting |
| Alfonso H. Lopez | — | Yea |
| Ayala, Hala S. | — | Yea |
| Bourne, Jeffrey M. | — | Not Voting |
| Byron, Kathy J. | — | Nay |
| Christopher T. Head | — | Nay |
| Gooditis, Wendy W. | — | Yea |
| Guzman, Elizabeth R. | — | Yea |
| Heretick, Steve E. | — | Yea |
| Israel D. O'Quinn | — | Nay |
| Jeion A. Ward | — | Yea |
| Keam, Mark L. | — | Yea |
| Kory, Kaye | — | Yea |
| Lamont Bagby | — | Yea |
| Marshall, Daniel W., III | — | Nay |
| Michael J. Webert | — | Yea |
| Mullin, Michael P. | — | Yea |
| R. Lee Ware | — | Nay |
| Ransone, Margaret B. | — | Nay |
| Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Terry G. Kilgore | — | Yea |
| Tony O. Wilt | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 29 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 29 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 73% | 28% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 73% | 27% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (15)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Nay |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Nay |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Nay |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Nay |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 998 do?
- Electric utilities; offshore wind development. Provides that the construction or purchase by a public utility of one or more offshore wind generation facilities located off the Commonwealth's Atlantic shoreline or in federal waters and interconnected directly into the Commonwealth, with an aggregate capacity of up to 5,200 megawatts, is in the public interest. The measure provides that construction by Dominion Energy Virginia of one or more new utility-owned and utility-operated generating facilities utilizing energy derived from offshore wind and located off the Commonwealth's Atlantic shoreline, with an aggregate rated capacity between 2,500 megawatts and 3,000 megawatts, along with electrical transmission or distribution facilities associated therewith for interconnection is in the public interest. The measure provides that the State Corporation Commission will determine the reasonableness and prudence of associated costs and will presume such costs to be reasonable and prudent if certain criteria are met. The measure provides that such costs shall be allocated to all customers of the utility in the Commonwealth as a non-bypassable charge, irrespective of the generation supplier of any such customer except for low-income customers and certain commercial and industrial customers. The measure requires the utility to (i) identify options for utilizing local workers; (ii) identify the economic development benefits of the project for the Commonwealth, including capital investments and job creation; (iii) consult with relevant governmental entities, including the Commonwealth's Chief Workforce Development Officer and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, on opportunities to advance the Commonwealth's workforce and economic development goals, including furtherance of apprenticeship and other workforce training programs; and (iv) give priority to the hiring of local workers, including workers from historically economically disadvantaged communities.
- Who sponsors SB 998?
- SB 998 is sponsored by L. Louise Lucas and Joseph D. Morrissey.
- What is the current status of SB 998?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 16, 2020. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 998?
- Track SB 998 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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