Bill Commons

VA HB 895

enacted

Electric utilities; energy storage requirements, Department of Energy to develop model ordinance.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower

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Quick answers

Did VA HB 895 pass?

Yes. VA HB 895 has been enacted into law. Latest recorded action (2026-04-13): Approved by Governor-Chapter 694 (effective 7/1/2026)

What is VA HB 895 about?

Electric utilities; energy storage resources; Department of Energy to develop model ordinances; State Corporation Commission to conduct technology demonstration program. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for approval to construct, acquire, or procure and extends the time frame by which such capacity must be met. Under the bill, (i) Appalachian Power shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 780 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2040 and 520 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and (ii) Dominion Energy Virginia shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 16,000 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and 4,000 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045. "Long-duration energy storage" and "short-duration energy storage" are defined in the bill. Under the bill, the Commission shall approve an independent auditor to help develop criteria for and to help review requests for proposals for new energy storage resources. The bill requires the Commission to conduct a technology demonstration program for long-duration energy storage resources and initiate a proceeding to determine if such technology is viable and that the targets in the bill are reasonably achievable, for which a final order shall be entered no later than March 1, 2031. Certain provisions of the bill are only effective upon such determination by the Commission. The bill requires the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Fire Programs, to develop model ordinances suggested for use by localities in their regulation of energy storage projects by December 1, 2026. The bill directs the Commission to initiate a technical conference by September 1, 2026, to evaluate safety standards and practices for energy storage development. The bill also includes a provision authorizing the Commission to evaluate energy storage project proposals during annual petitions filed for the development of new renewable generation capacity. This bill is identical to SB 448.

Who sponsors VA HB 895?

Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. is the primary sponsor of VA HB 895, joined by 4 cosponsors.

Description

Electric utilities; energy storage resources; Department of Energy to develop model ordinances; State Corporation Commission to conduct technology demonstration program. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for approval to construct, acquire, or procure and extends the time frame by which such capacity must be met. Under the bill, (i) Appalachian Power shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 780 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2040 and 520 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and (ii) Dominion Energy Virginia shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 16,000 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and 4,000 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045. "Long-duration energy storage" and "short-duration energy storage" are defined in the bill. Under the bill, the Commission shall approve an independent auditor to help develop criteria for and to help review requests for proposals for new energy storage resources. The bill requires the Commission to conduct a technology demonstration program for long-duration energy storage resources and initiate a proceeding to determine if such technology is viable and that the targets in the bill are reasonably achievable, for which a final order shall be entered no later than March 1, 2031. Certain provisions of the bill are only effective upon such determination by the Commission. The bill requires the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Fire Programs, to develop model ordinances suggested for use by localities in their regulation of energy storage projects by December 1, 2026. The bill directs the Commission to initiate a technical conference by September 1, 2026, to evaluate safety standards and practices for energy storage development. The bill also includes a provision authorizing the Commission to evaluate energy storage project proposals during annual petitions filed for the development of new renewable generation capacity. This bill is identical to SB 448.

Introduced
2026-01-13
Latest action
2026-04-13 — Approved by Governor-Chapter 694 (effective 7/1/2026)
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Sponsors

  • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.primary
  • Betsy B. Carrcosponsor
  • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parkercosponsor
  • Shelly A. Simondscosponsor
  • Alfonso H. Lopezcosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

Newest first

  1. 2026-04-13

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 694 (effective 7/1/2026)

    executive-signature

  2. 2026-04-02

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB895)

  3. 2026-03-31

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    executive-receipt

  4. 2026-03-31

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    enrolled,executive-receipt

  5. 2026-03-31

    Signed by Speaker

    passage

  6. 2026-03-30

    Signed by President

    passage

  7. 2026-03-30

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB895ER)

    passage

  8. 2026-03-30

    Enrolled

    enrolled

  9. 2026-03-11

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB895)

  10. 2026-03-11

    Senate substitute agreed to by House (68-Y 30-N 0-A)

    substitution

  11. 2026-03-10

    Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    passage

  12. 2026-03-10

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    substitution

  13. 2026-03-10

    Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

  14. 2026-03-10

    Read third time

    reading-3

  15. 2026-03-09

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  16. 2026-03-09

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  17. 2026-03-09

    Rules suspended

  18. 2026-03-06

    Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)

    committee-passage

  19. 2026-03-03

    Committee substitute printed 26108942D-S1

    substitution

  20. 2026-03-02

    Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 5-N)

    committee-passage

  21. 2026-03-02

    Senate committee offered

  22. 2026-02-18

    Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    referral-committee

  23. 2026-02-18

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  24. 2026-02-17

    Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)

    passage,reading-3

  25. 2026-02-16

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    substitution

  26. 2026-02-16

    committee substitute agreed to

    substitution

  27. 2026-02-16

    Read second time

    reading-2

  28. 2026-02-13

    Read first time

    reading-1

  29. 2026-02-13

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB895)

  30. 2026-02-11

    Reported from Appropriations (17-Y 5-N)

    committee-passage

  31. 2026-02-11

    Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 1-N)

  32. 2026-02-11

    Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

    referral-committee

  33. 2026-02-10

    Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (17-Y 5-N)

    committee-passage

  34. 2026-02-10

    Committee substitute printed 26107210D-H1

    substitution

  35. 2026-02-09

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB895)

  36. 2026-02-05

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (6-Y 2-N)

    substitution

  37. 2026-02-05

    House subcommittee offered

  38. 2026-01-22

    Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

    referral-committee

  39. 2026-01-13

    Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    referral-committee

  40. 2026-01-13

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104780D

    filing,introduction

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

    2026-02-05 · pass · 6-2

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

  • Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

    2026-02-10 · pass · 17-5

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Wren M. Williams: no

  • Reported from Appropriations

    2026-02-11 · pass · 17-5

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: no
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Bill Wiley: no
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: no

  • Subcommittee recommends reporting

    2026-02-11 · pass · 6-1

    Member-level votes (7)
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Bill Wiley: no

  • H VOTE:

    2026-02-17 · pass · 64-32

    Member-level votes (99)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: no
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: no
    • Nadarius E. Clark: not voting
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: no
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: no
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: not voting
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
    • Joseph P. McNamara: no
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • Justin Pence: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: no
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: no
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: no
    • Bill Wiley: no
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

  • Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute

    2026-03-02 · pass · 8-5

    Member-level votes (15)
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • L. Louise Lucas: not voting
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: not voting
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes

  • Reported from Finance and Appropriations

    2026-03-06 · pass · 10-4

    Member-level votes (15)
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: not voting
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes

  • Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)

    2026-03-09 · pass · 40-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Passage R

    2026-03-10 · pass · 21-19

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Christie New Craig: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: no
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • H VOTE:

    2026-03-11 · pass · 68-30

    Member-level votes (99)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: no
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: not voting
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: no
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: no
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
    • Joseph P. McNamara: no
    • Kirk McPike: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • Justin Pence: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: no
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: no
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: no
    • Bill Wiley: no
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: yes
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB895

Attribution

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