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HJ44 • 2026

Undergrounding of electrical transmission lines; SCC Div. of Public Utility Regulation to study.

<p class=ldtitle>Requesting the State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation to study the undergrounding of electrical transmission lines. Report.</p>

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Singh
Last action
2026-02-18
Official status
Failed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify that the division must consult with stakeholders specifically about the costs and benefits of undergrounding. It only mentions consulting with relevant parties as needed.

Study on Undergrounding Electrical Transmission Lines

This law asks a state agency to study putting electrical transmission lines underground and report back with findings.

What This Bill Does

  • Asks the State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation to look into putting electrical transmission lines underground.
  • Requires the division to evaluate the costs and benefits of burying these lines, including potential options for streamlining the permitting process.
  • Specifies that the division must complete its meetings by November 30, 2026.
  • Tells the division to write a report with their findings and send it to the Governor and General Assembly before the start of the next regular session in 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation
  • Local governments across Virginia
  • Electric utilities and technical experts

Terms To Know

undergrounding
Putting electrical transmission lines underground instead of above ground.
Division of Public Utility Regulation
A part of the State Corporation Commission that oversees public utilities in Virginia.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much money will be given for this study.
  • It is unclear what specific recommendations the report will include.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-18 House

    Left in Rules

  2. 2026-01-23 Studies Subcommittee

    Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 0-N)

  3. 2026-01-22 Studies Subcommittee

    Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee

  4. 2026-01-14 House

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103675D

  5. 2026-01-14 Rules

    Referred to Committee on Rules

Official Summary Text

Study; Division of Public Utility Regulation; undergrounding of electrical transmission lines; report.
Requests the State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation to study the undergrounding of electrical transmission lines. The study requires the Division to submit its report no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Requesting the State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation to study the undergrounding of electrical transmission lines. Report.

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Commonwealth, pursuant to §
45.2-1705
of the Code of Virginia, to facilitate the availability and delivery of reliable and adequate supplies of energy to industrial, commercial, and residential users at reasonable costs; and

WHEREAS, demand for electricity in the Commonwealth is anticipated to double within the next 10 years, with the data center industry being the primary source of such demand; and

WHEREAS, the development of electrical transmission lines is a complex process subject to input and approval by various entities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation be requested to study the undergrounding of electrical transmission lines.

In conducting its study, the State Corporation Commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation (the Division) shall evaluate the potential benefits and associated costs of constructing electrical transmission lines in whole or in part underground and identify options for streamlining the permitting and approval processes for such construction. In conducting its study, the Division shall consult with stakeholders as needed, including representatives from governing bodies of localities across the Commonwealth, PJM Interconnection, electric utilities, technical experts, and any other stakeholders the Division deems relevant.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Division by the Department of Energy. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Division for this study, upon request.

The Division shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2026, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.