Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Electric Utilities; Pilot Programs for Energy Assistance and Weatherization

This bill amends funding levels and extends the duration of pilot programs that provide energy assistance and weatherization to low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in Virginia.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the annual funding range for Dominion Energy's program from $13 million to $17 million.
• Sets the annual funding range for Appalachian Power Company's program from $1 million to $1.5 million.
• Extends the end date of these programs from July 1, 2028 to July 1, 2038.
• Allows Dominion Energy to recover costs related to certain electrical facilities approved by December 1, 2038.

Who It Names or Affects

• Electric utilities like Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company
• Low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in Virginia

Terms To Know

Pilot program

A trial run of a new or revised service to test its effectiveness before full implementation.

Weatherization

Improving the energy efficiency of homes by adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and other measures.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how utilities will use the funds.
• It is unclear if there are any specific requirements for reporting beyond what is already mandated.

Official Summary Text

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.
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 and Appalachian Power Company. Under the bill, Dominion Energy shall conduct its pilot program at no less than $13 million and no greater than $17 million annually, and Appalachian Power Company shall conduct its pilot program at no less than $1 million and no greater than $1.5 million annually. The bill extends the sunset date of such pilot programs from July 1, 2028 to July 1, 2038.

The bill also 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.

This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to amend and reenact §
56-585.1:2
of the Code of Virginia, relating to electric utilities; pilot
program
for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals; cost recovery for certain electrical facilities.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
56-585.1:2
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
56-585.1:2
. Pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization.

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§
56-249.6
and
56-585.1
:

Each Phase I and II Utility shall conduct a pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for
low income
low-income
, elderly, and disabled individuals in their respective service territories in the Commonwealth. Each pilot program shall be funded by the utility and shall commence September 1, 2015. Each Phase I Utility shall continue such pilot program at no less than
the existing levels of funding as of July 1, 2018
,
$
1
million
and no greater than $1.5 million
for each year that the utility provides such service. Each Phase II Utility shall continue such pilot program at no less than $13 million
and no greater than $17 million
for each year the utility is providing such service. The funding for the pilot programs established pursuant hereto for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in the service territory in the Commonwealth of each respective utility shall continue until
the earli
er of amendment or repeal of this section or
July 1,
2028
2038
. Each such utility shall report on the status of its pilot program, including the number of individuals served thereby
and the amount of annual expenditure
s

for
such program
, to the Governor, the State Corporation Commission,
the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation
,
the Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce
,
and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor by July 1
,
2016
, and
of
each year
thereafter
.

2. That a Phase II Utility, as defined in subdivision A 1 of §
56-585.1
of the Code of Virginia, may recover costs associated with any petition for cost recovery made pursuant to clause (iv) of subdivision A 6 of §
56-585.1
of the Code of Virginia that has been approved by the Commission as of December 1, 2038, notwithstanding any time limitations on such cost recovery under subdivision A 6 of §
56-585.1
of the Code of Virginia