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Subcommittee approves amendment to impose permit "shot clock" for transmission line reviews
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Summary
Subcommittee reported HB466 as amended to impose a time limit on SCC decisions for transmission permits, with an added 120‑day extension for good cause; supporters argued the change provides predictability for industry and data centers, while opponents warned it could rush large projects and shift costs to ratepayers.
Delegate Doug Cohen presented a substitute for HB466 to require the State Corporation Commission to reach a decision on transmission‑line certificate applications within a defined timeline. The sponsor described the measure as creating a shot‑clock and, following a line amendment, set the initial decision period at 180 days with a 120‑day extension for good cause, enabling a total of approximately nine months plus the extension in exceptional circumstances (substitute and amendment text presented by counsel).
Proponents — including AES Clean Energy, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Data Center Coalition and Amazon Web Services — told the subcommittee the bill would give project developers and customers certainty about when new transmission capacity will be available. "Any company that depends on transmission...benefits from knowing predictably when new transmission will be available," said an industry representative (testimony).
Opponents including the Piedmont Environmental Council and Protect (organization represented by a witness) warned that a statutory timeline could be used to "railroad" large utility transmission projects and accelerate costs for ratepayers. Julie Bolthouse of Piedmont Environmental Council said communities will "need to pay for them for years to come" and urged careful review rather than rushing consideration.
The subcommittee adopted the amendment extending the allowable review period for good cause and voted to report the bill as amended; the clerk recorded the vote 5–2 in favor. The bill now advances to the full committee with the amendment to allow a 120‑day extension for good cause.
What’s next: HB466, as amended, moves to the full committee for further consideration.
