Bill Text: VA SB284 | 2018 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Electric utilities; solar generation capacity, public interest.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-05 - Stricken at request of Patron in Commerce and Labor (10-Y 0-N) [SB284 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SB284-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 56-585.1:4 as follows:
§56-585.1:4. Development of solar generation capacity in the Commonwealth.
A. Prior to January 1, 2024, (i) the construction or purchase by a public utility of one or more solar generation facilities located in the Commonwealth, each having a rated capacity of at least one megawatt and having in the aggregate a rated capacity that does not exceed 4,000 megawatts, or (ii) the purchase by a public utility of energy, capacity, and environmental attributes from facilities described in clause (i) is in the public interest, and the Commission shall so find if required to make a finding regarding whether such construction or purchase is in the public interest.
B. Prior to January 1, 2024, (i) the construction or purchase by a public utility of one or more solar generation facilities located in the Commonwealth, each having a rated capacity of less than one megawatt and having in the aggregate a rated capacity that does not exceed 500 megawatts, or (ii) the purchase by a public utility of energy, capacity, and environmental attributes from facilities described in clause (i) is in the public interest, and the Commission shall so find if required to make a finding regarding whether such construction or purchase is in the public interest.
C. The aggregate cap of 4,000 megawatts of rated capacity described in clause (i) of subsection A and the aggregate cap of 500 megawatts of rated capacity described in clause (i) of subsection B are separate and independent from each other. The capacity of facilities in subsection B shall not be counted in determining the capacity of facilities in subsection A, and the capacity of facilities in subsection A shall not be counted in determining the capacity of facilities in subsection B.
2. That the development of solar generation facilities that are located in the Commonwealth is hereby encouraged in order to enable ratepayers to obtain the benefit of this clean, cost-effective energy source during the remaining period of the existing federal investment tax credit under 26 U.S.C. §48(a)(6), which credit is scheduled to be reduced to 10 percent for certain solar energy projects that are not placed in service before January 1, 2024.