SB 256

Minimum energy and water conservation standards; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities and home appliances; Department of Energy; prohibited practices; penalty. Provides that if any of the energy or water conservation standards issued or approved for publication by the U.S. Secretary of Energy as of January 1, 2026, pursuant to Parts 430 and 431 of the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (the EPCA) are withdrawn, repealed, or otherwise voided, the minimum energy or water efficiency level permitted for products previously subject to federal energy or water conservation standards in the Commonwealth shall be the applicable federal standards as of January 1, 2026. The bill prohibits the sale, lease, rental, and manufacture of home appliances covered under the EPCA that fail to meet or exceed the energy or water conservation standards under the EPCA as of January 1, 2026. The bill excludes any energy or water conservation standards set aside by a court and any product if federal law preempts the application of imposing the minimum energy and water conservation standards as of January 1, 2026, to such product. Finally, the bill makes any violation of its provisions a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.