Panel advances demand‑flexibility and transparency measures; reports substitutes on grid tools
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Summary
The subcommittee advanced several bills aimed at strengthening grid reliability and utility oversight — including voluntary demand‑flexibility programs for large users, a substitute allowing utilities to delay service to protect reliability, and a measure directing SCC review of APCO capacity and storm recovery costs. Most substitutes were reported out; HB 1256 passed the panel unanimously.
Lawmakers used the hearing to consider a set of bills focused on grid reliability, transparency and regulatory oversight.
HB 1151 (substitute) gives distributors the authority to delay provision of service when necessary to maintain grid reliability, avoid exceeding available generation or capacity constraints, or ensure compliance with SCC or FERC rules. Delegate Willett described the substitute as the product of stakeholder work and said the changes clarify when a distributor may delay service for reliability reasons. Dominion Energy told the committee it appreciated the patron’s work and did not oppose the refined wording; the subcommittee reported the substitute by a vote of 4 to 2.
HB 284 (substitute) — presented by Delegate Figgins — aims to create voluntary demand‑flexibility programs for large energy users (25 MW+ with sustained loads at 75%+). Under the substitute, utilities and co‑ops propose programs subject to SCC review, and the measure adds measurement and reporting requirements to track results. Supporters including the Southern Environmental Law Center, conservation organizations, Google and utilities described the substitute as a practical way to reduce peak demand and defer expensive infrastructure. The committee reported the substitute by a vote of 6 to 1.
HB 1075 (APCO rate‑case review) asks the SCC to evaluate APCO’s capacity procurement decisions and steps to reduce storm‑recovery costs and customer impacts. Witnesses including consumer and environmental groups supported the transparency measure; the committee reported the substitute by a recorded vote (reported 4 to 3 in committee minutes).
Finally, HB 1256 (Delegate Shin) directs the SCC to examine fuel and purchased‑power risk‑mitigation practices and quantify the extent to which renewable generation offsets fuel costs. Kaja Foske of the Virginia Energy Consumer Alliance said the bill would help address fuel costs that drive customer bills, and Dominion indicated it could work with the patron. The committee reported that substitute unanimously, 8 to 0.
Why it matters: These bills pursue systemwide approaches to managing load growth and cost volatility — from demand‑flexibility that can defer infrastructure to transparency measures that require utilities to justify capacity or fuel purchasing choices.
What’s next: Reported substitutes will move forward for further consideration by the full committee or the House, and bills reported with recorded votes may return with amendments in subsequent steps.
