Requires investor-owned electric utilities, cooperative electric utilities, and investor-owned natural gas distribution utilities to meet incremental annual energy efficiency goals. Electric utilities are required to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures to achieve the goal of two percent savings by 2034 and thereafter, with interim goals that start at 0.25 percent for 2020-2021 and increase in biennial increments of 0.25 percent until 2034. Gas utilities are required to achieve the goal of one percent savings by 2034 and thereafter, with interim goals that start at 0.125 percent for 2020-2021 and increase in biennial increments of 0.125 percent until 2034. The utilities are required to submit energy efficiency plans with the State Corporation Commission (SCC). The SCC (i) shall order changes to a plan submitted by a utility that does not demonstrate that the utility will achieve incremental annual energy efficiency goals; (ii) shall require utilities to commence compliance efforts with the incremental annual energy efficiency goals during calendar year 2020, though it may adjust the goal for 2020 if appropriate to address a partial year of implementation; (iii) may design performance incentives that reward utilities for exceeding efficiency goals; (iv) shall require utilities to report annually to the SCC on their efforts and progress in meeting the incremental annual energy efficiency goals; and (v) shall submit reports regarding compliance with the requirements of the incremental annual energy efficiency goals every five years.
Sponsored bills
Establishes a Disabled Veteran's State Museum Passport program for veterans of the United States Armed Forces with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher that entitles the bearer to enter state museums and other cultural institutions without the payment of a parking or admission fee. The passport shall be valid for as long as the determination of a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs remains in effect.
Establishes the Solar Demonstration Projects Grant Program (the Program). The Program, to be administered by the Virginia Solar Energy Center, will make $1 billion in grants available over three years to religious institutions (to the extent permitted under Article IV, Section 16 of the Constitution of Virginia), public schools, institutions of higher education, and localities in order to finance the installation and operation of solar photovoltaic energy generation systems. Grants may be used by the eligible entity to make payments (i) to an EPC firm that will install or operate the solar facility, which will be owned by the eligible entity, or (ii) to a third party that will own and operate the solar facility pursuant to a third-party power purchase agreement. The measure provides that the sale of electric power under a third-party power purchase agreement does not constitute a retail sale of electricity and is not subject to regulation by the State Corporation Commission. The measure establishes the Solar Energy Special Fund from which the grants are to be paid. Sources of moneys in the Fund include $1 billion in voluntary contributions over three years that are required to be made by each Phase I Utility and each Phase II Utility. The utilities are barred from recovering the contributed funds from ratepayers by raising electricity rates, adding fees, or other means. Of the grants awarded, 40 percent shall be awarded to congregations, 50 percent shall be awarded to educational institutions, and 10 percent shall be awarded to localities. The measure establishes a Community Advisory Board to oversee the implementation of the Program.