Committee advances multiple energy bills: storage targets, interconnection studies and underground transmission pilot
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Summary
The committee reported a set of energy bills that would raise energy storage targets for utilities, require interconnection capacity assessments and create a pilot program for underground transmission projects; several measures were reported with substitutes and referred to Appropriations or reported to the full committee.
Multiple bills affecting energy policy, grid planning and transmission siting were reported out of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce.
HB 895 (energy storage) would raise storage capacity targets for Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy through 2045, require technology demonstration programs and direct the Department of Energy (state) to develop model ordinances; the substitute also added consumer‑protection and independent audit provisions. The committee reported the bill with a substitute and referred it to Appropriations (committee vote 17–5).
HB 1065 directs Dominion and Appalachian Power Company to assess interconnection capacity for surplus interconnection service, establish pilot programs via RFPs and report to the State Corporation Commission by Jan. 1, 2027; the committee reported the bill with a substitute (16–6).
HB 1360 (reported as HP 13 60 in the transcript) would require investor‑owned utilities in fuel factor proceedings to report hours they designate coal or oil units as 'must run' and allow the SCC to review those designations for cost‑recovery purposes; the committee reported a substitute (vote recorded in transcript).
HB 1487 would allow the SCC to approve up to four qualifying transmission projects (500 kV+) to be placed underground as part of a pilot program, but requires localities to pay 50% of marginal costs for undergrounding portions within the locality (or meet other funding requirements); committee reported the substitute (19–3).
Why it matters: The bills affect long‑range grid reliability, the pace and funding of energy storage deployment, and how costly infrastructure choices (like undergrounding high‑voltage lines) are allocated between utilities and local governments.
Committee action: Subcommittees recommended substitutes on several measures. HB 895, HB 1065 and HB 1487 were reported with substitutes; committee votes recorded these measures as referred or reported by recorded votes. Several measures include conditions tied to the SCC’s technical determinations and to Appropriations review for budget items.
What remains unclear: Transcript does not include fiscal notes or stakeholder testimony excerpts; specifics of implementation timelines and funding sources remain to be resolved in subsequent committee work and Appropriations review.
Next steps: HB 895 and other measures were referred to Appropriations or otherwise advanced; the SCC and state agencies are identified as having future rulemaking or reporting roles.
