Bill Commons

VA HB 617

Status unknown

Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program, Phase I Utilities.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower

Quick answers

Did VA HB 617 pass?

The current status of VA HB 617 is not known from the official record. Latest recorded action (2026-02-18): Left in Labor and Commerce

What is VA HB 617 about?

Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program; Phase I Utilities. Requires Appalachian Power to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to conduct a pilot program to evaluate methods to optimize demand through various technology applications, including the establishment of virtual power plants, by December 1, 2026. The bill requires the pilot program to evaluate electric grid capacity needs and the ability of such virtual power plants to provide grid services, including peak-shaving, during times of peak electric demand.

Who sponsors VA HB 617?

Joseph P. McNamara is the primary sponsor of VA HB 617.

Description

Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program; Phase I Utilities. Requires Appalachian Power to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to conduct a pilot program to evaluate methods to optimize demand through various technology applications, including the establishment of virtual power plants, by December 1, 2026. The bill requires the pilot program to evaluate electric grid capacity needs and the ability of such virtual power plants to provide grid services, including peak-shaving, during times of peak electric demand.

Introduced
2026-01-13
Latest action
2026-02-18 — Left in Labor and Commerce
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Sponsors

  • Joseph P. McNamaraprimary

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2026-01-13

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103496D

    filing,introduction

  2. 2026-01-13

    Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-27

    Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 2-N)

  4. 2026-01-28

    Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

    referral-committee

  5. 2026-01-29

    Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB617)

  6. 2026-02-18

    Left in Labor and Commerce

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Subcommittee recommends laying on the table

    2026-01-27 · pass · 5-2

    Member-level votes (9)
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: not voting
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Wren M. Williams: not voting

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB617

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:

Source and document changesStatus and relationship changes

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