SB 254 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase II Utility.

Summary

Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase II Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Dominion Energy Virginia. Under the bill, Dominion Energy Virginia is authorized to release an additional 525 megawatts of capacity as part two of such program upon the earlier of (i) a determination that at least 90 percent of the aggregate program capacity has been subscribed and project construction is substantially complete or (ii) July 1, 2026. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to petition the Commission to initiate a proceeding to determine the capacity for part three of such program on or before part two of such program is substantially complete for 268 megawatts of capacity. The bill directs the Commission to evaluate the costs and benefits of the shared solar program under such proceeding and to consider the results of such proceeding in determining any future allocations of shared solar capacity and changes in program design. The bill directs the Commission to update its regulations on shared solar programs to comply with the provisions of the bill by December 31, 2026, and to require each participating utility to file any tariffs, agreements, or forms necessary for implementation of such programs by March 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 807.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill finalizes the legislative process for SB 254, which updates Virginia's shared solar programs. The primary change is the addition of the official approval date (April 13, 2026) and the assignment of a chapter number (671), which are necessary steps to make the law effective. A minor formatting adjustment was made to the section number in the text.

TECHNICAL

Added the specific approval date and chapter number to finalize the bill's enactment.

Adjusted the formatting of the section citation to include a non-breaking space for consistency.

Introduced → Commerce and Labor Substitute · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill was converted from an introduced version to a substitute amendment proposed by the Commerce and Labor Committee, updating the bill's status and effective dates. The substantive changes focus on expanding the shared solar program's capacity and clarifying low-income participation rules. Specifically, the total capacity for the second phase of the program was increased from 150 megawatts to 225 megawatts, with a new provision allowing 45 megawatts to serve customers with more than 51% low-income participation. Additionally, the definition of 'substantial completion' was added to ensure consistency with existing regulations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded regarding the total capacity available for the second phase of the shared solar program, increasing the limit from 150 to 225 megawatts and adding flexibility for low-income customer participation thresholds.

TIMELINE

The bill's status changed from 'Introduced' to 'Offered for Consideration' with a new date of February 9, 2026, and the title was updated to reflect it is now an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Phase II Utility' was updated to remove the use of an en-dash, changing the reference from § 56-585.1 to § 56-585.1 for consistency.

REQUIREMENT

The reporting requirement for subscriber lists was modified to remove the specific phrase 'kilowatt-hours of generation percentage of generation capacity,' simplifying the description to 'kilowatt-hours of generation.'

The requirement for the subscriber organization to furnish allocation instructions for excess bill credits was updated to include 'pursuant to guidelines established by the Commission' to clarify the regulatory basis.

The reference to the renewable portfolio standard obligations was updated to remove the en-dash in the section citation, changing § 56-585.5 to § 56-585.5.

Subsection E was significantly modified to increase the second phase capacity from 150 megawatts to 225 megawatts (150 + 75) and to clarify that 45 megawatts may serve more than 51 percent low-income customers.

Subsection E was updated to define 'substantial completion' as having the same meaning as provided in Commission regulations for shared solar programs.

Subsection E was updated to change the trigger for the third phase petition from a specific date to the 'substantial completion' of 268 megawatts of capacity under part two.

The utility's ability to recover costs for purchased power was updated to remove the en-dash in the section citation, changing § 56-249.6 to § 56-249.6.

Subsection G was updated to remove the en-dash in the section citation, changing § 56-585.5 to § 56-585.5.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 11, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 671 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB254ER)

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (83-Y 13-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Labor and Commerce (17-Y 4-N)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 15-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 5-N)

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors