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SB249Introduced in the Senate

Electric utilities; definitions, integrated resource plans, report.

Passed

Introduced by Scott Surovell, District 34

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Electric utilities; integrated resource plans. Makes various changes related to the content and process for an integrated resource plan (IRP) developed by an electric utility that provides a forecast of its load obligations and a plan to meet those obligations. The bill (i) extends the planning timeframe from 15 to 20 years; (ii) requires Appalachian Power to file an IRP by removing an exception from the definition of "electric utility"; (iii) changes the frequency with which a utility is required to file an IRP from biennially to triennially; (iv) requires utilities to consider the use of grid-enhancing technologies as alternatives to new transmission infrastructure, and when new transmission lines are envisioned, to provide the reasons grid-enhancing technologies are not sufficient to defer or eliminate the need for new transmission infrastructure; and (v) requires utilities to consider the use of surplus interconnection service, as defined in the bill, to add new electric generation projects and energy storage resources to the grid.The bill requires that the current stakeholder review process for integrated resource plans be facilitated by a third-party facilitator selected by the State Corporation Commission and compensated by the utility. The bill requires, as part of the stakeholder review process, the utility to provide stakeholders with reasonable access to the same modeling software, modeling assumptions, modeling inputs, and data used by the utility to evaluate supply and demand resources in its integrated resource plan to enable stakeholders to create modeling scenarios for the utility's consideration during the development of its integrated resource plan.The bill requires the State Corporation Commission to (a) establish guidelines that ensure that utilities develop comprehensive integrated resource plans and provide meaningful public engagement and maximum transparency during the planning process; (b) conduct a proceeding by July 1, 2027, and at least once every five years thereafter, to identify and review each of its existing orders relevant to integrated resource plans to determine if such orders remain necessary and effective and are not overly burdensome; and (c) convene a work group to make recommendations on the required guidelines.As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to HB 429.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0608)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Conference report agreed to by Senate (20-Y 18-N 0-A) · March 14, 2026

20

Yes

18

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3No
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104616D

  2. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB249)

  4. Senate committee offered

  5. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 5-N)

  6. Committee substitute printed 26107458D-S1

  7. Rules suspended

  8. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  9. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  10. Read second time

  11. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

  12. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  13. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  14. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB249)

  15. Placed on Calendar

  16. Read first time

  17. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  18. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

  19. House subcommittee offered

  20. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 1-N)

  21. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (19-Y 2-N)

  22. Committee substitute printed 26109184D-H1

  23. Read second time

  24. Passed by for the day

  25. Read third time

  26. committee substitute agreed to

  27. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  28. Passed House with substitute (66-Y 32-N 1-A)

  29. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

  30. House insisted on substitute

  31. House requested conference committee

  32. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  33. Conferees appointed by Senate

  34. Senate Conferees: Surovell, Bagby, Stanley

  35. Conferees appointed by House

  36. House Conferees: LeVere Bolling, Shin, O'Quinn

  37. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB249)

  38. Senate acceded to request

  39. Conference Report released

  40. Conference report agreed to by House (63-Y 34-N 0-A)

  41. Conference report agreed to by Senate (20-Y 18-N 0-A)

  42. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB249)

  43. Enrolled

  44. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB249ER)

  45. Signed by President

  46. Signed by Speaker

  47. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  48. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  49. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB249)

  50. Approved by Governor-Chapter 608 (effective 7/1/2026)

  51. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0608)

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