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Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia SB 253

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (1)

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. Amends annual funding commitments for the purposes of the annual pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals conducted by Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power Company. Under the bill, Appalachian Power Company is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $1 million and no greater than $1.5 million annually. Dominion Energy Virginia is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $156 million and no greater than $204 million for the time period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending July 1, 2038. The bill extends the sunset date of such pilot programs from July 1, 2028, to July 1, 2038.The bill also provides that Dominion Energy Virginia may recover costs associated with certain electrical facilities that have been approved by the State Corporation Commission as of December 1, 2033, provided that certain requirements are met and notwithstanding any limitations on such cost recovery in current law. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to propose to the Commission, in any proceeding to determine rates for generation and distribution services commencing after January 1, 2027, and before July 1, 2033, that certain costs related to capacity procurement requirements and distribution infrastructure investments are allocated to the utility's customer class approved to serve customers with a contracted or measured electric demand of 25 megawatts or greater and an anticipated or measured average annual electric load factor of 75 percent or greater. The bill provides that certain customers in manufacturing, industrial, or consumer goods warehousing and distribution activities other than data storage may elect to remain on their existing rate schedule. The bill requires Dominion Energy Virginia, in connection with its first proceeding to determine rates for generation and distribution services commencing after July 1, 2026, to include in its petition to the Commission a proposal to revise its tariff for supplementary, maintenance, or standby service for customers with power plants, effective as of January 1, 2028. The bill provides that the Commission shall only approve such proposal if it determines that such tariff will not adversely affect other retail customers or the utility in a manner contrary to the public interest, and any revised tariff terms shall include protections against stranded cost risks to the utility customer base. Additionally, the bill authorizes Dominion Energy Virginia to file a petition for the securitization of certain deferred fuel costs.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 8:13 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 14, 2026
Senate		Adopt Conference Committee Report RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 14, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 10, 2026
Senate		Accede Conference Committee RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 5, 2026
Senate		Concur House Substitute RfailSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 3, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 26, 2026
House		Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 17, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 16, 2026
Senate		Floor Amendment VfailSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 13, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 12, 2026
Senate		Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendmentspassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 9, 2026
Senate		Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see

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