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Bill > HB2413


VA HB2413

VA HB2413
Electric utilities; integrated resource plans, Phase I or Phase II files updated plans, etc.


summary

Introduced
01/08/2025
In Committee
02/17/2025
Crossed Over
02/20/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
Dead
Vetoed
04/02/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Electric utilities; integrated resource plans. Makes various changes related to the content and process for an integrated resource plan (IRP) developed by an electric utility that provides a forecast of its load obligations and a plan to meet those obligations. The bill (i) extends the planning timeframe from 15 to 20 years; (ii) requires Appalachian Power to file an IRP by removing an exception from the definition of "electric utility"; (iii) changes the frequency a utility is required to file an IRP from biennially to triennially; and (iv) requires utilities to consider the use of grid-enhancing technologies as alternatives to new transmission infrastructure, and when new transmission lines are envisioned, to provide the reasons grid-enhancing technologies are not sufficient to defer or eliminate the need for new transmission infrastructure.The bill requires that the current stakeholder review process for integrated resource plans be facilitated by a third-party facilitator selected by the State Corporation Commission and compensated by the utility. The bill requires, as part of the stakeholder review process, the utility to provide stakeholders with reasonable access to the same modeling software, modeling assumptions, modeling inputs, and data used by the utility to evaluate supply and demand resources in its integrated resource plan to enable stakeholders to create modeling scenarios for the utility's consideration during the development of its integrated resource plan.The bill requires the Commission to (a) establish guidelines that ensure that utilities develop comprehensive integrated resource plans and provide meaningful public engagement and maximum transparency during the planning process; (b) conduct a proceeding by July 1, 2026, and at least once every five years thereafter, to identify and review each of its existing orders relevant to integrated resource plans to determine if such orders remain necessary and effective and are not overly burdensome; and (c) to convene a work group to make recommendations on the required guidelines.Finally, the bill requires any petition to permit the construction and operation of electrical generating facilities filed by an electric utility that is required to file an integrated resource plan to (1) incorporate the intent to construct and operate such generating facilities or (2) if the utility's intent to construct and operate such generating facilities was not identified in the utility's most recently approved integrated resource plan, provide a detailed explanation of why the utility did not anticipate the need for such generating facilities.As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to SB 1021.

AI Summary

This bill makes comprehensive changes to how electric utilities in Virginia develop and submit Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), which are long-term strategic documents outlining how utilities will meet electricity demand. The bill extends the planning timeframe from 15 to 20 years and changes the filing frequency from biennial to triennial, specifically requiring Appalachian Power to file an IRP by removing a previous exception. The legislation mandates that utilities consider grid-enhancing technologies as alternatives to new transmission infrastructure and provide detailed explanations if such technologies cannot defer or eliminate new transmission lines. The bill requires the State Corporation Commission to establish guidelines ensuring comprehensive planning, meaningful public engagement, and transparency. A key innovation is the requirement for a third-party facilitator to oversee the stakeholder review process, with utilities required to provide stakeholders access to the same modeling software, assumptions, and data used in developing the IRP. Additionally, the bill introduces requirements for utilities to consider factors like the social cost of carbon, renewable portfolio standards, and energy efficiency targets when developing their plans. The legislation also mandates that utilities explain any new generating facilities not previously identified in their most recent approved IRP. To support these changes, a stakeholder work group will be convened to provide recommendations on implementation details by December 1, 2025.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

House sustained Governor's veto (on 04/02/2025)

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