HB 2537: Energy storage requirements; Department of Energy, et al., to develop model ordinances, reports.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Electric utilities; energy storage requirements; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality to develop model ordinances; work groups; reports. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation 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 5,220 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and 3,480 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045. "Long-duration energy storage" and "short-duration energy storage" are defined in the bill. 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, 2030. 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 create model ordinances for use by localities in their regulation of energy storage projects and to convene a work group to develop such model ordinances and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The bill directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Quality to convene a work group to develop recommendations and financial incentives related to the development of long-duration energy storage projects and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to engage with PJM Interconnection, LLC, in reviewing regional market conditions related to energy storage resources and permits Dominion Energy Virginia to propose a partnership with institutions of higher education to deploy energy storage resources. This bill is identical to SB 1394.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 2, 2025Vetoed by Governor
2. April 2, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 2, 2025
3. April 2, 2025Communicated to Governor
4. April 2, 2025House rejected Governor's recommendation (47-Y 49-N)
5. March 26, 2025Governor's substitute printed (HB2537H2)
6. March 24, 2025Governor's substitute printed (HB2537H2)
7. March 24, 2025Governor's recommendation received by House
8. March 11, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
9. March 11, 2025Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
10. March 10, 2025Signed by President
11. March 7, 2025Signed by Speaker
12. March 7, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2537)

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history