HB 2101 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Electric utilities; data center cost allocation.

Summary

Electric utilities; data center cost allocation. Directs the State Corporation Commission to initiate proceedings to determine if the current allocation of costs among different customer classifications of electric utilities requires customers that are not data centers to unreasonably subsidize the costs of customers that are data centers. If the Commission determines that the current allocation of costs requires customers that are not data centers to unreasonably subsidize the costs of customers that are data centers, the bill directs the Commission to promulgate such rules as necessary to eliminate or minimize such unreasonable subsidies to the maximum possible extent. The bill directs the Commission to complete such proceedings prior to January 1, 2026.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Last action Feb 5, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Labor and Commerce Subcommittee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduction to a substitute version by the Labor and Commerce Subcommittee. The key substantive change is the addition of a new provision (Section 2) clarifying that the State Corporation Commission retains existing authority to address unreasonable subsidies or rate increases caused by data centers, even if not explicitly required by this act. The original Section 2, which allowed compliance with the act in existing proceedings, was removed and replaced with this broader authority statement. The core requirement for the Commission to initiate proceedings and complete them by January 1, 2026, remains unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by explicitly confirming the Commission's existing authority to act on data center subsidy issues independently of this act, rather than limiting action to compliance with the act's provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 2 clarifying that the State Corporation Commission retains existing authority to eliminate unreasonable subsidies or rate increases caused by data centers, even without being required by this act.

Removed original Section 2 which stated the Commission could comply with the act in proceedings initiated before the effective date if determined to be within existing authority.

Modified Section 1 to add an alternative condition (ii) allowing the Commission to address unreasonable rate increases needed to support facilities serving data centers, in addition to unreasonable subsidies.

TECHNICAL

Changed document format from original introduction style to substitute amendment format with committee attribution and page numbering.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #4

lower

Jan 14, 2025

Committee

Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #3

lower

Jan 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors