Virginia stakeholder group extends PBR study timeline, discusses outputs and next steps

The Virginia Department of Energy-led stakeholder work group on performance‑based regulation agreed to extend the group's timeline and discussed the group's expected outputs, meeting format and next steps after a Rocky Mountain Institute briefing.

Meeting host Larry (Virginia Department of Energy) said the group's deadline had been moved from an earlier date to May 9, which the group members described as helpful but still compressed. The stakeholder group aims to produce materials to inform the State Corporation Commission's (SCC) deliberations and the commission's report to the General Assembly. Brian Pratt of the Virginia State Corporation Commission clarified that the SCC is running parallel but separate docketed proceedings on PBR, saying, "we do have 2 separate proceedings."

Why this matters: the stakeholder group's work will feed into the SCC's record and could shape recommendations for whether and how Virginia adopts PBR tools that affect utility revenue recovery and customer bills.

Participants favored two main near‑term tasks. First, many stakeholders said the immediate priority is a focused diagnostic of Virginia's existing regulatory framework and the PIMs already on the books to identify gaps and whether current mechanisms are achieving intended outcomes. John Lord (Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association), Kasia (Virginia Energy Consumer Alliance) and Carmen (Lehi Center) all emphasized the need to determine whether existing PIMs and regulatory elements are effective and, if not, why. Several participants suggested a "part two" assessment of the current framework with more detailed presentations on observed challenges.

Second, participants supported a written‑comment window tied to meetings so stakeholders can respond to meeting presentations and help the group capture issues the meetings cannot fully resolve. The group discussed logistics: keeping most meetings virtual but exploring a hybrid or in‑person option for a later meeting, extending future meetings to about three hours (with a break) and resuming after the General Assembly adjourns in mid‑February. The conveners said they would circulate a calendar poll to schedule follow‑up meetings and would post slides and materials.

Stakeholders suggested possible meeting content: deeper sessions on multi‑year rate plans, revenue decoupling, PIMs/scorecards and a session where stakeholders can voluntarily present concept proposals for how PBR mechanisms might be applied in Virginia. Several participants recommended inviting experts or jurisdictions with direct implementation experience to present.

Next steps: the conveners will (1) post RMI materials and other resources, (2) open or continue a written comment opportunity and (3) circulate possible dates for mid‑February and later meetings, with one meeting reserved for review of a draft stakeholder submission to ensure accuracy before it is sent to the SCC.