Washington County board adopts resolution opposing state energy-review bill

The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-2025-03 opposing Senate Bill 1190, legislation that the board said would create a state-level Virginia Energy Facility Review Board with authority to review and influence local solar projects.

Supervisor Hernandez, who introduced the resolution, told the board the bill would create an 11-member review board that could recommend ordinances and challenge local decisions. "I think it's probably the most egregious usurpation of power by the state that I've seen since I've been a supervisor," Hernandez said. He described a process in which the state board would review applications, issue recommendations and, if dissatisfied, allow developers to take localities to circuit court.

Board members discussed the county's recent experience reviewing a local solar proposal and said their planning commission conducted multiple public hearings and town halls before rejecting the project. "We did our homework," one supervisor said, noting that local officials are accountable to residents and better positioned to weigh local impacts. Supervisor Stevens seconded Hernandez's motion to adopt the resolution and the board amended the motion to authorize the chair to sign the document and to send copies to state legislators.

The board approved the amended motion unanimously and directed the chair to transmit the resolution to state lawmakers. The resolution text identifies local zoning authority, cites historical court precedent affirming zoning powers, and asks the General Assembly to defeat Senate Bill 1190.