2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101898D

HOUSE BILL NO. 824

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to direct the Department of Energy to convene a work group to study energy generation and storage by data centers; report.

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Patron—Sullivan

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The Department of Energy (the Department) shall convene a work group to study the cost and feasibility of energy generation from non-diesel sources by data centers, the potential to use such energy generation for on-site backup or as a primary electric generation source for data centers, and the use of energy storage resources by data centers in the Commonwealth. The work group shall examine (i) the potential for partnerships with public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth to support the development of advanced energy technologies, including energy storage resources, linear generators, renewable biodiesel fuels, combined heat and power resources, and hydrogen fuel cells powered by renewable resources, to serve as backup or primary energy generation resources for data centers and (ii) make recommendations to incentivize the use of such technologies by data centers in the Commonwealth. The work group shall include representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the data center industry, electric utilities, relevant state agencies, and other interested stakeholders. The work group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor no later than September 1, 2026.