Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

SB 276 — Phase I and Phase II Utilities; SCC to study feasibility of an energy upgrade program.

Last action — Passed by for the day

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 09, 2024.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 8 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Energy upgrade programs; Phase I and Phase II Utilities; State Corporation Commission to study feasibility; work group; report. Directs the State Corporation Commission to convene a work group to study the feasibility of the implementation of an energy upgrade program for eligible customers opting to participate by each Phase I and Phase II Utility, which program would permit such utility to (i) install one or more energy projects, as defined in the bill, at a participant's location and (ii) collect a special rate, as defined in the bill, to repay the costs of such installation. The bill requires the Commission to report the findings and recommendations of the work group to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, and the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation by January 1, 2025.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

39 added · 42 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill SB 276 includes a requirement for the State Corporation Commission to study the feasibility of an energy upgrade program for specific utility companies, including a work group made up of various stakeholders. This change clarifies that the Commission will provide a comprehensive report by January 1, 2025, that includes findings and recommendations regarding the program's implementation. Additionally, there’s a slight adjustment in the terminology concerning the energy projects being considered. Overall, these changes emphasize a structured approach to exploring energy efficiency initiatives, which could lead to potential savings and sustainability benefits for customers.

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SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE 24106373D SENATE BILL NO.
SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to require the State Corporation Commission to study the feasibility of an energy upgrade program for Phase I and Phase II Utilities;
276 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor (Patron Prior to Substitute––Senator Hashmi) A BILL to require the State Corporation Commission to study the feasibility of an energy upgrade program for Phase I and Phase II Utilities;
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
R O [S 276] L Approved Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1.
L 1.
That the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall convene a work group to to participate by each Phase I Utility and Phase II Utility that would permit such utility to (i) install one or more energy projects at a participant's location and (ii) collect a special rate from such participant to repay the costs of such installation.
That the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall convene a work group toE study the feasibility of the implementation of an energy upgrade program for eligible customers opting to participate by each Phase I Utility and Phase II Utility that would permit such utility to (i) install one or more energy projects at a participant's location and (ii) collect a special rate from such participant to repay the costs of such installation.
The work group shall include such stakeholders as the Commission deems necessary to determine whether the implementation of such program is feasible.
The work group shall include such stakeholders as feasible.
feasible under the terms provided in this act and (b) report such determination, along with the findings and recommendations of the work group, to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, and the Commission on Electric Utility N Regulation by November 1, 2024.
The Commission shall prepare a report addressing whether the implementation of suchogram is program is feasible under the terms provided in this act, and such report shall include the findings and recommendations of the work group.
B.
The report shall be submitted to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, and the S Commission on Electric Utility Regulation by January 1, 2025.
2 B.
A customer receives utility service or (ii) rents the property at which such customer receives utTlity service, pays all or some of the regular bill for the utility service, and has the written permission of the property owner to participate in a utility's program.
6 customer receives utility service or (ii) rents the property at which such customer receives utility service, pays all or some of the regular bill for the utility service, and has the written permission of the property owner to participate in a utility's program.
E "Energy project" means a project designed to impact the efficiency of energy usage at a participant's location, including the addition of renewable energy generation systems such as solar projects, energy eff"Energy upgrade program" or "program" means an inclusive utility investment program offered by a utility in which such utility installs energy projects at a participant's location and collects a special rate from such participant to repay the costs of such installation.
"Energy project" means a project designed to impact the efficiency of energy usage at a participant's location, including the addition of renewable energy generation systems such as solar projects, energy efficiency improvements, energy storage systems, and demand response equipment.
U "Participant" means an eligible customer that elects to participate in a utility's energy upBrade pro"Phase I Utility" and "Phase II Utility" have the same meaning as provided for those terms in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia.
utility in which such utility installs energy projects at a participant's location and collects a special rate from such participant to repay the costs of such installation.
S 35 "Reasonable rate of return" means the utility's weighted average cost of capital.
"Participant" means an eligible customer that elects to participate in a utility's energy upgrade program.
T 36 "Special rate" means a rate established in accordance with § 56-235.2 of the Code of VirginiI in a 37 schedule established by a utility to recover its costs incurred in offering one or more energy projects 39 and"Special rate charge" means a monthly or other regular charge that is associated with one or more 40 energy projects and that a participant pays to a utility pursuant to a special rate.
"Phase I Utility" and "Phase II Utility" have the same meaning as provided for those terms in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Such special rate charge shall not exceed 80 percent of a participant's estimated first-year cost savings under uTility rates in place at the time of installation.
"Special rate" means a rate established in accordance with § 56-235.2 of the Code of Virginia in a schedule established by a utility to recover its costs incurred in offering one or more energy projects and a reasonable rate of return on such costs.
The term of cost recovery for an installed upgrade shall not exceed 80 percent of the estimated lifespan of such upgrade.
"Special rate charge" means a monthly or other regular charge that is associated with one or more energy projects and that a participant pays to a utility pursuant to a special rate.
E S B 1
Such special rate charge shall not exceed 80 percent of a participant's estimated first-year cost savings under utility rates 80 percent of the estimated lifespan of such upgrade.t recovery for an installed upgrade shall not exceed
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Action History

  1. Passed by for the day

  2. Vetoed by Governor

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

  4. Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2024

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB276ER)

  8. Enrolled

  9. House amendments agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N)

  10. VOTE: Passage (52-Y 46-N)

  11. Passed House with amendments (52-Y 46-N)

  12. Engrossed by House as amended

  13. Committee amendments agreed to

  14. Read third time

  15. Read second time

  16. Reported from Appropriations with amendment(s) (12-Y 10-N)

  17. Referred to Committee on Appropriations

  18. Reported from Rules (13-Y 4-N)

  19. Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations

  20. Subcommittee recommends reporting (4-Y 2-N)

  21. Assigned Rules sub: Studies Subcommittee

  22. Impact statement from SCC (SB276S1)

  23. Referred to Committee on Rules

  24. Read first time

  25. Placed on Calendar

  26. Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 10-N)

  27. Passed by for the day

  28. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB276S1

  29. Committee substitute agreed to 24106373D-S1

  30. Reading of substitute waived

  31. Read second time

  32. Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

  33. Committee substitute printed 24106373D-S1

  34. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 1-N 1-A)

  35. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  36. Impact statement from SCC (SB276)

  37. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  38. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104918D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on · 64 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

House amendments agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N)

Passed 22 Yea · 17 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 221701
Total 221701
% of votes cast 55%43%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Nay
Bryce E. Reeves — Nay
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Nay
Christopher T. Head — Nay
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Not Voting
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Nay
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Nay
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Nay
Mark J. Peake — Nay
McGuire, John J., III — Nay
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Nay
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Nay
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Nay
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Nay
Tara A. Durant — Nay
Timmy French — Nay
Todd E. Pillion — Nay
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Nay

Official roll call →

VOTE: Passage (52-Y 46-N)

Passed 51 Yea · 46 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 514602
Total 514602
% of votes cast 52%46%0%2%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Not Voting
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Not Voting
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Yea
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Nay
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Nay

Official roll call →

Reported from Appropriations with amendment(s) (12-Y 10-N)

Passed 12 Yea · 10 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 121000
Total 121000
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
David A. Reid — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Nay

Official roll call →

Reported from Rules (13-Y 4-N)

Passed 13 Yea · 4 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 13401
Total 13401
% of votes cast 72%22%0%6%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Yea
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
Don Scott — Yea
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Not Voting
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Luke E. Torian — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Terry G. Kilgore — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea

Official roll call →

Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 10-N)

Passed 30 Yea · 10 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 301000
Total 301000
% of votes cast 75%25%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Nay
Bryce E. Reeves — Nay
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Nay
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Nay
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Nay
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Nay
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Nay
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Nay
Todd E. Pillion — Nay
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Nay

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 40000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 1-N 1-A)

Passed 13 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 13101
Total 13101
% of votes cast 87%7%0%7%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Nay
Bryce E. Reeves — Not Voting
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

energy
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 276 do?
Energy upgrade programs; Phase I and Phase II Utilities; State Corporation Commission to study feasibility; work group; report. Directs the State Corporation Commission to convene a work group to study the feasibility of the implementation of an energy upgrade program for eligible customers opting to participate by each Phase I and Phase II Utility, which program would permit such utility to (i) install one or more energy projects, as defined in the bill, at a participant's location and (ii) collect a special rate, as defined in the bill, to repay the costs of such installation. The bill requires the Commission to report the findings and recommendations of the work group to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, and the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation by January 1, 2025.
Who sponsors SB 276?
SB 276 is sponsored by Ghazala F. Hashmi.
What is the current status of SB 276?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 276?
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