Conservation Policy Updates: Week 5 of General Assembly
The General Assembly Crossover Update
It’s “halftime” at Virginia’s General Assembly! We have reached crossover: the day that bills introduced and passed in one chamber of the General Assembly “cross over” to be voted on by the other.
VCN took a position to support, oppose, or remain neutral on 118 bills in just this short session. Now, we are refocusing our advocacy on the 60 bills that remain, along with our budget priorities. See the remaining issues (and budget items!) we will now focus on below.
Where are we in the budget process?
The House & Senate have released their budgets that amend the second year of Virginia’s biennial (2-year) budget. Both chambers are expected to reject each other’s budget proposals, forcing the budget to go to conference: a closed-door budget committee composed of Senators and Delegates. Members of this conference committee will be announced next week. The conference will propose a final budget for FY24 to be voted on before session adjourns. Then, the Governor will review and send edits back during the reconvened session in April. See the status of VCN’s priority budget items here.
Expanding Solar Energy: A series of solar bills will be tested in the House
Through distributed/shared solar, low-to-moderate income Virginians will be able to greater participate in solar programs and offset all or a majority of the costs of a solar energy system. Image Credit: Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC)
Going solar reduces energy burdens and costs for Virginians while making our buildings more energy efficient and clean. Installing more solar is critical for Virginia to hit our 100% clean energy targets outlined in the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).
Unfortunately, there are many policy barriers in place that hinder rooftop and distributed/shared solar options for Virginians (to learn why, read our “BRINGING MORE RESILIENT ENERGY TO VIRGINIA COMMUNITIES” policy paper).
On the bright side, a series of bills to promote distributed solar have passed through the Senate with bipartisan support and are now headed to the House! These bills will:
- Develop recommendations for schools to be solar-ready when constructing or renovating buildings.
- Expand shared solar programs throughout the state.
- Help Virginia take advantage of federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds to advance solar projects.
Expanding Solar Energy Bills
To see a full list of all the solar bills, see “Bill of the Day: Expanding Solar Energy.”
(Senator Favola) Develops recommendations on strategies to assist interested school divisions with incorporating renewable energy generation facilities in the construction or renovation of school buildings. Companion to HB1852.
(Senators Edwards & Surovell) Expands the shared solar program to customers in Appalachian Power Company and Old Dominion Power Company’s territories while setting limits on monthly utility bills. This makes our energy transition more equitable by reducing energy costs for participating customers, especially low-income customers who are exempt from the minimum bill.
(Senator Surovell) Allows more Virginians to participate in our clean energy transition by expanding Dominion’s shared solar program and requiring that a customer’s net bill for participating in the shared solar program will not exceed the minimum bill established by the State Corporation Commission (SCC).
(Senator Hashmi) Expands solar and energy efficiency projects for low-income and moderate-income Virginians by empowering the Clean Energy Advisory Board to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for grant funds made available via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Both chambers pass bill allowing transit infrastructure and electrification funding
Many bus stops lack adequate infrastructure for riders. Photo by Wyatt Gordon.
The Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) was developed in 2020 to help transit providers pay for upgrades that don’t fall into typical capital or operating expenses. The original two eligible uses of TRIP funding were:
- Regional Routes: To support the regional connectivity of urban areas with a population over 100,000
- Zero or Reduced Fare: To reduce the barriers to transit use for low-income riders via the zero or reduced fare program.
However, the Transit Equity and Modernization Report calls for electrifying buses and infrastructure improvements to make transit access safer and more comfortable by adding sidewalks, benches, shelters, and improved ADA accessibility around stops.
To address these recently emerging needs, HB2338 and SB1326 amend TRIP to allow up to 30% of the program’s funding for improved accessibility of bus stops and to assist transit agencies in transitioning to zero-emission infrastructure.
Transit Infrastructure & Electrification Funding Bills
(Del. McQuinn) Amends TRIP to allow up to 30% of the program’s funding for improved accessibility of bus stops and to assist transit agencies in transitioning to zero-emission infrastructure. Companion to SB1326.
(Sen. McClellan) Amends TRIP to allow up to 30% of the program’s funding for improved accessibility of bus stops and to assist transit agencies in transitioning to zero-emission infrastructure. Companion to HB2338.
Support the Virginia Conservation Network
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See Other Policy Updates from the General Assembly
Bill of the Day: Oyster Shell Recycling
We support bills that reuse oyster shells for restoration purposes, creating the ideal habitat for young oysters.
Bill of the Day: Defending Clean Car Standards
VCN is defending our Clean Car Standards to ensure access and affordability to electric vehicles and protect our public health.
How Virginia Can Reduce Plastic Pollution
Eradicating plastic pollution is a top priority for many Virginians. Two proven solutions: increased producer responsibility and bottle bills.
Bill of the Day: Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP)
To guarantee transit equity and reduce barriers to transit access, we need legislation which better distributes TRIP funds for zero-fare transit.
Bill of the Day: Preserving BIPOC Resources
For Black History month, we are highlighting several bills that VCN and our Partners are supporting in this General Assembly session to improve the preservation of BIPOC historic and cultural resources.
Bill of the Day: Defending RGGI
VCN is defending our participation in RGGI & keeping funds for families to ensure flood resiliency and energy efficiency in homes.
Bill of the Day: Virginia’s Biennial Budget
Now is the time to let your legislators know that it is critical to support a strong conservation budget for Virginia!
Bill of the Day: Regulatory Citizen Boards
VCN and our Partners are defending the authority of Virginia's Citizen Boards to ensure transparency and decision making for environmental regulations this General Assembly session.
Bill of the Day: Oppose Chemical Conversion (SB1164)
SB1164 will not reduce plastic waste, but instead will reduce state regulatory oversight over harmful, pollution-producing facilities, allowing them free rein to locate near Virginia's most vulnerable populations.
Bill of the Day: Environmental Justice
Two environmental justice bills, HB2074 and SB1318, build on the Virginia Environmental Justice Act of 2020, which declared environmental justice as the policy of the Commonwealth.
Bill of the Day: Gold Mining
HB2113 hits the pause button on a proposed open-pit gold mine in Buckingham County in order for state agencies to review the water quality and public health impact from this large-scale mining operation.
Bill of the Day: Reducing Plastic Waste
Plastics are now found in our air, water, and soil. Our elected officials need to enact efficient waste reduction policies and reduce waste generation to protect Virginia from the scourge of plastic litter.
Bill of the Day: Safe Walking & Biking
VCN supports HB1841, HB1903, and HB2262 in order to make biking and walking both safe and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
Bill of the Day: Clean Car Standards
During this session of the General Assembly, Virginia has its best opportunity in years to advance transportation electrification through Clean Car Standards (HB1965) which will expand consumer car choice, keep automobile jobs in Virginia, reduce air pollution from transportation emissions, and improve human health.
Bill of the Day: Electric Utility Rate Reform
Electric utility rate reform legislation will protect consumers and restore oversight authority to regulators. Without, Virginians will lose out on refunds for the $500 million in overcharges by Dominion Energy since 2017 and regulators may not be able to lower over-charged electric bills.