Bill
Bill > SB448
VA SB448
VA SB448Electric utilities; energy storage resources, Dept. of Energy to develop model ordinances, reports.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
02/13/2026
02/13/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Electric utilities; energy storage requirements; Department of Energy to develop model ordinance; work groups; reports. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for approval to construct, acquire, or procure and extends the time frame by which such capacity must be met. Under the bill, (i) Appalachian Power shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 780 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2040 and 520 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and (ii) Dominion Energy Virginia shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 16,000 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and 4,000 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045. "Long-duration energy storage" and "short-duration energy storage" are defined in the bill. The bill requires the Commission to conduct a technology demonstration program for long-duration energy storage resources and initiate a proceeding to determine if such technology is viable and that the targets in the bill are reasonably achievable, for which a final order shall be entered no later than March 1, 2031. Certain provisions of the bill are only effective upon such determination by the Commission.The bill also directs the Commission, in considering applicable petitions, to conduct an evaluation of the proposal requirements and evaluation criteria used by a utility in any solicitation for energy storage project proposals issued to fulfill the requirements of the bill.
AI Summary
This bill significantly expands energy storage requirements for electric utilities in Virginia, aiming to bolster grid reliability and resource adequacy. Specifically, Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia must petition the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for approval to construct, acquire, or procure increased amounts of both short-duration energy storage (less than 10 hours of capacity) and long-duration energy storage (10 hours or more of capacity) by set deadlines, with Appalachian Power needing 780 megawatts of short-duration by 2040 and 520 megawatts of long-duration by 2045, and Dominion Energy Virginia needing 16,000 megawatts of short-duration by 2045 and 3,480 megawatts of long-duration by 2045. The bill also mandates the SCC to establish a technology demonstration program for long-duration energy storage, with a decision on its viability and achievability due by March 1, 2030, and certain provisions only taking effect if deemed viable. Furthermore, the Department of Energy, in collaboration with other state agencies, will develop model ordinances for local governments to regulate energy storage projects and will also convene a work group to recommend financial incentives for long-duration energy storage development, with both reports due by December 1, 2026. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to engage with PJM Interconnection, LLC, a regional transmission organization, on energy storage market conditions and allows Dominion Energy Virginia to propose partnerships with higher education institutions for energy storage deployment.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3 (on 02/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB448 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB448) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1169528.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB448/text/SB448S2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB448/text/SB448S1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB448) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136141.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB448/text/SB448SC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB448/text/SB448 |
Loading...