Energy

High energy use facilities; natural gas fuel cell generating resources. Permits a high energy use facility, as defined in the bill, that owns or operates a natural gas fuel cell generating resource to enter a contract to generate electric energy on such terms and conditions negotiated with the Dominion Energy or Appalachian Power Company, including provisions related to (i) issuing utility bill credits equivalent to the value of such energy generation and (ii) the utility's purchase of excess power generated by the high energy use facility. The bill requires such natural gas fuel cell generating resource to be located on the same real property as the high energy use facility.

Electric utilities; emissions intensity target program. Requires the State Corporation Commission to develop an emissions intensity target program for Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power to achieve net-zero emissions. The bill requires the Commission to promulgate regulations to implement its provisions by January 1, 2027. Upon the promulgation of such regulations, the bill repeals certain provisions that require Dominion Energy Virginia and American Electric Power to participate in a renewable energy portfolio standard program, authorize the State Air Pollution Control Board to promulgate certain regulations, and provide that the construction or purchase by a public utility of certain generation facilities is in the public interest.

Electric utilities; development of offshore wind capacity. Increases the maximum capacity for offshore wind generation facilities that is in the public interest to be constructed or purchased by a public utility from 5,200 megawatts to 25,000 megawatts. The bill also changes the deadline for such construction or purchase from December 31, 2032, to December 31, 2030.

Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund. Increases from $100 per kilowatt of nameplate capacity from renewable energy sources that are located on brownfields to $200 per kilowatt of nameplate capacity from renewable energy sources that are located on brownfields the grant amount a project developer can receive from the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation.

Establishing a resilience hub pilot program to assist vulnerable communities during emergency situations. Directs the Department of Emergency Management to establish a two-year resilience hub pilot program to assist vulnerable communities during emergency situations. The bill defines a "resilience hub" as a simple combination of solar panels and batteries that ensures continuous power to a publicly accessible building when severe weather events or other grid disruptions cause an electrical outage.