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VA HB615

VA HB615
Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program, deficiency payments.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program; deficiency payments. Changes from $45 to $0.01 the amount of deficiency payment required by certain electric utilities that are unable to meet the compliance obligations of the renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements and removes provisions requiring a payment of $75 per megawatt-hour of shortfall in procuring renewable energy certificates for solar, wind, or anaerobic digesters.

AI Summary

This bill amends Virginia's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) program, which requires electric utilities (referred to as Phase I and Phase II Utilities) to procure a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources. Specifically, it changes the penalty for utilities unable to meet their RPS obligations. Previously, utilities had to pay $45 per megawatt-hour (MWh) for any shortfall in obtaining Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which represent renewable energy generation. This bill reduces that deficiency payment to a mere $0.01 per MWh. It also removes a separate, higher penalty of $75 per MWh that was specifically applied to shortfalls in procuring RECs for solar, wind, or anaerobic digester projects. The context for this change is that the RPS program aims to increase the use of renewable energy, and these deficiency payments are a mechanism to ensure compliance or penalize non-compliance.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Left in Labor and Commerce (on 02/18/2026)

bill text


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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB615
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB615) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098838.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB615/text/HB615
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