Chief Patron: Davis
Task Force to Provide Statewide Uniformity in Siting of Renewable Energy Projects (language only)

Item 122 #1h

Language

Page 122, after line 6, insert:

"B. The Department of Energy, in conjunction with the State Corporation Commission, shall create a task force to make recommendations to streamline and provide statewide uniformity to the local siting process for renewable energy projects, including but not limited to wind, solar, small modular nuclear reactors, and battery storage components. The recommendations shall ensure that siting decisions are predictable, responsible, and timely, while also providing opportunities for local stakeholder engagement and input throughout the process and addressing host community benefits associated with a requested permit. The task force shall review the ordinances and the comprehensive plans adopted by the counties relating to the included renewable energy projects to provide an accurate assessment of Virginia's ability to meet the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act and the demands of commercial and industrial customers, while evaluating Virginia's competitiveness in recruiting and retaining business development and investment. The task force shall consider and propose alternatives to local siting agreement authority, including but not limited to the creation of a state energy siting office, expanded siting authority of the State Corporation Commission, and by right development. The task force shall also analyze types of land suitable for development that will be of least impact to ratepayers and make any recommendations for the removal of regulations that increase the impact to ratepayers. The task force shall include representatives of the Department of Energy, Phase I and Phase II utilities, independent power providers, representatives from commercial and industrial customers, the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and any other stakeholders deemed relevant by the Department of Energy. The Department of Energy shall issue a report to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Commerce and Energy Committee and Senate Commerce and Labor Committee no later than September 1, 2023."