HB 1393

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals; Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy. Amends annual funding commitments for the purposes of the annual pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals conducted by Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power Company. Under the bill, Appalachian Power Company is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $1 million and no greater than $1.5 million annually. Dominion Energy Virginia is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $156 million and no greater than $204 million for the time period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending July 1, 2038. The bill extends the sunset date of such pilot programs from July 1, 2028, to July 1, 2038. Additionally, the bill requires, under the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy, that the Commonwealth prioritize customer affordability and grid reliability and that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to (i) encourage energy affordability by equipping the State Corporation Commission with the tools to determine rates, tolls, charges, or schedules that contain reasonable classifications of customers in order to evaluate and ensure customer classes contribute equitably to infrastructure investment and cost allocation and (ii) prioritize utility investments that bolster the reliability of electrical transmission or distribution systems and the utility's distribution grid. Finally, the bill provides that Dominion Energy may recover costs associated with certain electrical facilities that have been approved by the State Corporation Commission as of December 1, 2038, notwithstanding any time limitations on such cost recovery in current law.