RICHMOND, VA: The Virginia General Assembly legislative session opens on Wednesday, January 14, and we expect to see several bills intended to provide much-needed, reliable, and affordable electricity.
Virginians are concerned about affordability and reliability
Virginia’s electricity demands are growing, with a backlog of energy generation yet to be built and added to the grid. As seen in the 2025 election cycle, affordability–including energy affordability–is a high-level concern for Virginia residents. Adding new solar and energy storage projects to the grid is the fastest and cheapest means to stabilize prices.
To meet the scale of the affordability challenge, legislative changes are necessary to update Virginia’s energy policies. Virginia’s leaders, including incoming Governor Spanberger, have a window of opportunity to take action that will boost the deployment of affordable and reliable solar and storage technology.
Anticipated legislation
MAREC Action and our members will be prioritizing two anticipated bills that would increase solar energy and energy storage systems, allowing ratepayers and businesses to harness lower cost electricity, addressing affordability, and strengthening Virginia’s electrical grid. Both bills have been endorsed by the Committee on Electric Utility Regulation (CEUR).
(1) Solar siting reform legislation, similar to a bill introduced by Sen. VanValkenburg and Del. Mundon King last year and this year by Sen. VanValkenburg and House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, would create standards for local solar ordinances, enabling the construction of well-designed projects on predictable timelines while maintaining local authority to approve or deny individual projects.
(2) Energy storage legislation, led by Sen. Bagby and Del. Sullivan, which will increase storage targets, helping utilities manage peak demand times, especially as electricity usage continues to grow rapidly.
“Virginia will not see stable electricity prices until supply and demand come back into balance,” said Evan Vaughan, Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition Action. “Increasing electricity demand and aging grid infrastructure, coupled with volatile fuel prices, are driving electricity prices higher. MAREC Action’s member companies that build and invest in clean energy projects can bring new supply quickly, at least cost, and without fuel price volatility–but only if Virginia’s leaders take action during this legislative session. We are eagerly anticipating legislation that will help restore the balance of supply and demand by standardizing solar siting rules and unlocking the potential of energy storage.”
Renewable energy development benefits Virginia’s economy, localities, and landowners. MAREC Action is optimistic that lawmakers will move forward with solutions to utilize renewable energy to sustain Virginia’s strong economy and stabilize electricity rates.
###
MAREC Action (informally, “Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition”) is a non-profit advocacy organization representing over 50 utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage developers and manufacturers dedicated to the growth and development of renewable energy across the PJM grid region. MAREC Action is a leading voice for competitive large-scale clean energy developers and owner-operators in Virginia.