CHAPTER 591
An Act to convene stakeholder workgroups to evaluate shared solar programs for Phase I Utilities and electric cooperatives in the Commonwealth.
[S 660]
Approved April 11, 2022
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. The State Corporation Commission shall convene a stakeholder workgroup to evaluate shared solar programs for Phase I Utilities and those utilities subject to the exemption in subsection G of § 56-580 of the Code of Virginia. The stakeholder workgroup shall include representatives from the Coalition for Community Solar Access, Phase I Utilities, the Department of Energy, low-income community solar advocates, consumer protection advocates, solar advocacy organizations, environmental advocacy organizations, the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association and other solar industry and shared solar stakeholders, and community advocacy groups. The stakeholder workgroup shall permit remote or electronic participation in meetings, which may be held at any location in the Commonwealth. The staff of the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall facilitate and document the proceedings of the stakeholder workgroup and submit a written report to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Commerce and Energy and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor no later than November 30, 2022, and make copies of the report publicly available on the Commission's website at the same time as submission to the House and Senate Committees.
Additionally, the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives and the Coalition for Community Solar Access shall jointly convene a stakeholder process to evaluate shared solar programs for electric cooperatives. This stakeholder process shall include representatives from electric distribution cooperatives, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, the Department of Energy, low-income community solar advocates, consumer protection advocates, solar advocacy organizations, environmental advocacy organizations, the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association and other solar industry and shared solar stakeholders, agricultural associations, and staff of the Commission. This stakeholder process shall permit remote or electronic participation in meetings, which may be held at any location in the Commonwealth. The Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives and the Coalition for Community Solar Access shall facilitate and document the proceedings of the stakeholder workgroup and submit a written report to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Commerce and Energy and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor no later than November 30, 2022, and make copies of the report publicly available on the Commission's website at the same time as submission to the House and Senate Committees.