(HB2037)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 2037, which would allow a locality to include in its land development ordinances a provision that requires than an applicant must install a solar canopy over a designated surface parking area.

Parking lot solar is an expensive form of electricity generation, and if it were economically viable, developers would already be incorporating it into their projects. Mandating the construction of these facilities not only undermines the economics of new development opportunities but also limits flexibility. If, in the future, advancements make the technology more cost-effective, developers could then choose to deploy it without being burdened by premature regulatory mandates.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.