Virginia SB 554

Zoning; high-energy users; local authority. Permits the governing body of any locality to give consideration to the adverse impacts on the electric grid caused by high-energy users, as defined in the bill, and impacts resulting from new electric infrastructure in the design of zoning ordinances and the drawing of districts. The bill also permits the governing body of any locality in Planning District 8 to consider the current availability of electric energy against the expected annual electric energy consumption of high-energy users when evaluating land use applications and zoning amendments. Finally, the bill provides that any governing body considering such an application or amendment shall require a high-energy user seeking such application or amendment to provide information regarding the projected annual electric energy usage for the project prior to consideration.