2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105345D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1062

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 56-249.8 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 23 of Title 56 sections numbered 56-596.7 through 56-596.10, relating to energy upgrade programs; implementation; capital investment requirements; cost recovery.

—————

Patrons—Hernandez, McClure, Callsen and Helmer

—————

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

—————

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 56-249.8 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 23 of Title 56 sections numbered 56-596.7 through 56-596.10 as follows:

§ 56-249.8. Financing for certain securitized asset costs; Phase I Utility.

A. As used in this section:

"Ancillary agreement" means a bond, insurance policy, letter of credit, reserve account, surety bond, interest rate lock or swap arrangement, hedging arrangement, liquidity or credit support arrangement, or other financial arrangement entered into in connection with securitized asset cost bonds.

"Assignee" means a legally recognized entity to which an electric utility assigns, sells, or transfers, other than as a security, all or a portion of its interest in or right to securitized asset cost property. "Assignee" includes a corporation, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership, public authority trust, financing entity, or other entity to which an assignee assigns, sells, or transfers, other than as a security, all or a portion of its interest in or right to securitized asset cost property.

"Bondholder" means a person who holds a securitized asset cost bond.

"Electric utility" means a Phase I Utility, as that term is defined in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1.

"Financing costs" means:

1. Interest and any premium, including any acquisition, defeasance, or redemption premium, payable on securitized asset cost bonds;

2. Any payment required under any indenture, ancillary agreement, or other financing documents pertaining to securitized asset cost bonds and any amount required to fund or replenish a reserve account or other accounts established under the terms of any indenture, ancillary agreement, or other financing documents pertaining to securitized asset bonds;

3. Any other costs related to structuring, offering, issuing, supporting, repaying, refunding, servicing, and complying with securitized asset cost bonds, including service fees, accounting and auditing fees, trustee fees, legal fees, consulting fees, structuring adviser fees, administrative fees, placement and underwriting fees, independent director and manager fees, capitalized interest, rating agency fees, stock exchange listing and compliance fees, security registration fees, filing fees, information technology programming costs, and any other costs necessary to otherwise ensure the timely payment of securitized asset cost bonds or other amounts or charges payable in connection with the bonds, including costs related to obtaining the financing order;

4. Any taxes and license fees or other fees imposed on the revenues generated from the collection of securitized asset cost charges or otherwise resulting from the collection of securitized asset cost charges, in any such case whether paid, payable, or accrued;

5. Any state and local taxes, franchise, gross receipts, and other taxes or similar charges, including regulatory assessment fees, whether paid, payable, or accrued;

6. Any costs incurred by the Commission for any outside consultants or counsel retained in connection with the securitization of securitized asset costs; and

7. Any financing costs on the utility's securitized asset cost balance prior to issuance of any securitized asset cost bonds, calculated at the utility's approved weighted average cost of capital.

"Financing order" means an order that authorizes the issuance of securitized asset cost bonds; the imposition, collection, and periodic adjustments of a securitized asset cost charge; the creation of securitized asset cost property; the sale, assignment, or transfer of securitized asset cost property to an assignee; and any other actions necessary or advisable to take actions described in the financing order.

"Financing party" means bondholders and trustees, collateral agents, any party under an ancillary agreement, or any other person acting for the benefit of bondholders.

"Financing statement" has the same meaning as provided in § 8.9A-102 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

"Pledgee" means a financing party to which an electric utility or its successors or assignees mortgages, negotiates, pledges, or creates a security interest or lien on all or any portion of its interest in or right to securitized asset cost property.

"Securitized asset cost bonds" means bonds, debentures, notes, certificates of participation, certificates of beneficial interest, certificates of ownership, or other evidences of indebtedness or ownership that are issued in one or more series or tranches by an electric utility or its assignee pursuant to a financing order, the proceeds of which are used directly or indirectly to recover, finance, or refinance Commission-approved securitized asset costs and financing costs, and that are secured by or payable from securitized asset cost property. If certificates of participation or ownership are issued, references in this section to principal, interest, or premium shall be construed to refer to comparable amounts under those certificates.

"Securitized asset cost charge" means the non-bypassable charges authorized by the Commission to repay, finance, or refinance securitized asset costs and financing costs (i) imposed on and part of all retail customer bills, except those of exempt retail access customers; (ii) collected by an electric utility or its successor or assignees, or a collection agent, in full, separate and apart from the electric utility's base rates; and (iii) paid by all retail customers of the electric utility, irrespective of the generation supplier of such customer, except for an exempt retail access customer.

"Securitized asset costs" means (i) storm recovery costs incurred by an electric utility due to severe weather events, as recognized by nationally recognized standards including standards published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and natural disasters and; (ii) undepreciated generation utility plant balances; and (iii) capital investments incurred by an electric utility in an energy upgrade program as required by § 56-596.8.

"Storm recovery costs" means investments and expenses incurred by an electric utility on or after January 1, 2024, arising from or related to any major storm, extraordinary weather event, or natural disaster affecting Phase I Utility ratepayers in Virginia, including costs of the mobilization, staging, construction, reconstruction, repair, or replacement of production, generation, transport, transmission, general, or distribution facilities and the costs of any other activity by or on behalf of an electric utility in connection with the restoration of service associated with outages impacting its customers as a result of such major storm, extraordinary weather event, or natural disaster.

"Undepreciated generation utility plant balances" means any unrecovered capitalized costs of or undepreciated investments in one or more fossil-fired electric generating plants having nameplate capacity in excess of 1,000 megawatts each, and related supply, transmission, equipment, and fixtures. "Undepreciated generation utility plant balances" shall include (i) the net book value of assets on the electric utility's balance sheet related to such generating plants and related infrastructure and (ii) carrying costs authorized by the Commission. "Undepreciated generation utility plant balances" does not include (a) any costs of removing retired generating plant assets; (b) any capitalized costs and investments in fossil-fired electric generating plants and related supply, transmission, equipment, and fixtures incurred or made by an electric utility on or after December 31, 2023; and (c) any non-cash asset retirement obligation assets and related accumulated depreciation.

"Uniform Commercial Code" means Titles 8.1A through 8.13 (§ 8.1A-101 et seq.).

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 3 (§ 56-55 et seq.), an electric utility may petition the Commission for a financing order pursuant to this section. No more than four months after the date such petition is filed, the Commission shall issue either (i) such financing order in accordance with the requirements of subdivision 2 or (ii) an order rejecting the petition.

1. The petition shall include (i) an estimate of the total amount of any securitized asset costs that the electric utility has incurred over the time period noted in the petition; (ii) an indication of whether the electric utility proposes to finance all or a portion of the securitized asset costs using one or more series or tranches of securitized asset cost bonds; (iii) an estimate and details of the financing costs related to the securitized asset costs to be financed through the securitized asset cost bonds; (iv) an estimate of the securitized asset cost charges necessary to recover the securitized asset costs and all financing costs and the proposed period for recovery of such costs; (v) a description of any benefits expected to result from the issuance of securitized asset cost bonds, including the avoidance of or significant mitigation of abrupt and significant increases in rates to the electric utility's customers for the applicable time period; and (vi) direct testimony and exhibits supporting the petition. If the electric utility proposes to finance a portion of the securitized asset costs, the electric utility shall identify in the petition the specific amount of securitized asset costs for the applicable time period to be financed using securitized asset cost bonds. By electing not to finance a portion of the securitized asset costs for an applicable time period using securitized asset cost bonds, an electric utility shall not be deemed to waive its right to recover such costs pursuant to a separate proceeding with the Commission.

2. a. A financing order issued by the Commission pursuant to this section shall include:

(1) The amount of securitized asset costs to be financed using securitized asset cost bonds. The Commission shall describe and estimate the amount of financing costs that may be recovered through securitized asset cost charges. The financing order shall also specify the period over which securitized asset costs and financing costs may be recovered and whether the securitized asset cost bonds may be offered and issued in one or more series or tranches during a fixed period not to exceed one year after the date of the financing order;

(2) A finding that the proposed issuance of securitized asset cost bonds is in the public interest and the associated securitized asset cost charges are just and reasonable;

(3) A finding that the structuring and pricing of the securitized asset cost bonds are reasonably expected to result in reasonable securitized asset charges consistent with market conditions at the time the securitized asset cost bonds are priced and the terms set forth in such financing order;

(4) A requirement that, for so long as the securitized asset cost bonds are outstanding and until all financing costs have been paid in full, the imposition and collection of securitized asset cost charges authorized under a financing order shall be non-bypassable and paid by all retail customers of the electric utility, irrespective of the generation supplier of such customer, except for an exempt retail access customer;

(5) A formula-based true-up mechanism for making annual adjustments to the securitized asset cost charges that customers are required to pay pursuant to the financing order and for making any adjustments that are necessary to correct for any overcollection or undercollection of the charges or to otherwise ensure the timely payment of securitized asset cost bonds and financing costs and other required amounts and charges payable in connection with the securitized asset cost bonds;

(6) The securitized asset cost property that is, or shall be, created in favor of an electric utility or its successors or assignees and that shall be used to pay or secure securitized asset cost bonds and all financing costs;

(7) The authority of the electric utility to establish (i) the terms and conditions of the securitized asset cost bonds, including repayment schedules, expected interest rates, the issuance in one or more series or tranches with different maturity dates, and other financing costs, and (ii) the terms and conditions of the ancillary documents related to the securitized asset cost bonds, including servicing arrangements for securitized asset cost charges;

(8) A finding that the securitized asset cost charges shall be allocated among customer classes in accordance with the methodology approved in the electric utility's most recent base rate case;

(9) A requirement that after the final terms of an issuance of securitized asset cost bonds have been established and before the issuance of securitized asset cost bonds, the electric utility determines the resulting initial securitized asset cost charge in accordance with the financing order and that such initial securitized asset cost charge be final and effective upon the issuance of such securitized asset cost bonds without further Commission action so long as such initial securitized asset cost charge is consistent with the financing order;

(10) A method of tracing funds collected as securitized asset cost charges, or other proceeds of securitized asset cost property, and a requirement that such method be the method of tracing such funds and determining the identifiable cash proceeds of any securitized asset cost property subject to the financing order under applicable law;

(11) A requirement that the electric utility's base rates, exclusive of the cost of securitized asset cost bonds, reflect the reduction of rates associated with securitization effective on the date on which proceeds from the issuance of the securitized asset cost bonds are received by the electric utility. Such requirement may be met through the use of a temporary tracker to credit customers until such reduction is reflected in the base rates established through the electric utility's next base rate case;

(12) Any other conditions not otherwise inconsistent with this section that the Commission determines are appropriate;

(13) A requirement that the electric utility's base rates, exclusive of the cost of securitized asset cost bonds, reflect the reduction of rate base associated with the securitization of utility plant balances effective on the date proceeds from the issuance of the securitized asset cost bonds are received by the utility. This can be accomplished through the use of a temporary tracker to credit customers until the electric utility's next base rate case, at which point the reduction in rate base shall be reflected in base rates;

(14) A method of tracing funds collected as securitized asset cost charges, or other proceeds of securitized asset cost property, and a requirement that such method be the method of tracing such funds and determining the identifiable cash proceeds of any securitized asset cost property subject to the financing order under applicable law; and

(15) Any other conditions not otherwise inconsistent with this section that the Commission determines are appropriate.

b. Neither a financing order issued pursuant to this section nor the Commission's approval of a petition for a financing order shall require that securitized asset cost bonds be marketed as a specified type of security or that the assignee be formed as a specified type of entity. The electric utility shall maintain discretion to determine the type of security that securitized asset cost bonds shall be.

c. A financing order issued to an electric utility may provide that creation of the electric utility's securitized asset cost property is conditioned upon, and simultaneous with, the sale or other transfer for the securitized asset cost property to an assignee and the pledge of the securitized asset cost property to secure securitized asset cost bonds.

d. If the Commission issues a financing order, the Commission shall establish a protocol for the electric utility to annually file a petition or, in the Commission's discretion, a letter setting out application of the formula-based mechanism and, based on estimates of consumption for each rate class and other mathematical factors, requesting administrative approval to make applicable adjustments. The review of the filing shall be limited to determining whether there are any mathematical or clerical errors in the application of the formula-based mechanism relating to the appropriate amount of any overcollection or undercollection of securitized asset cost charges and the amount of an adjustment. The adjustments shall ensure the recovery of revenues sufficient to provide for the payment of principal, interest, acquisition, defeasance, financing costs, or redemption premium and other fees, costs, and charges in respect of securitized asset cost bonds approved under the financing order. Within 30 days after receiving an electric utility's request pursuant to this subdivision d, the Commission shall either approve the request or inform the electric utility of any mathematical or clerical errors in its calculation. If the Commission informs the electric utility of mathematical or clerical errors in its calculation, the electric utility may correct such errors and refile its request. The 30-day time frame previously described in this subdivision d shall apply to a refiled request.

e. Subsequent to the transfer of securitized asset cost property to an assignee or the issuance of securitized asset cost bonds authorized thereby, whichever is earlier, a financing order shall be irrevocable and, except for changes made pursuant to the formula-based mechanism authorized in this section, the Commission shall not amend, modify, or terminate the financing order by any subsequent action or reduce, impair, postpone, terminate, or otherwise adjust securitized asset cost charges approved in the financing order. After the issuance of a financing order, the electric utility shall retain sole discretion regarding whether to assign, sell, or otherwise transfer securitized asset cost property or to cause securitized asset cost bonds to be issued, including the right to defer or postpone such assignment, sale, transfer, or issuance.

3. At the request of an electric utility, the Commission may commence a proceeding and issue a subsequent financing order that provides for refinancing, retiring, or refunding securitized asset cost bonds issued pursuant to the original financing order if the Commission finds that the subsequent financing order satisfies all of the criteria specified in this section for a financing order. Effective upon retirement of the refunded securitized asset bonds and the issuance of new securitized asset cost bonds, the Commission shall adjust the related securitized asset cost charges accordingly.

4. a. A financing order shall remain in effect and securitized asset cost property under the financing order shall continue to exist until securitized asset cost bonds issued pursuant to the financing order have been paid in full or defeased and, in each case, all Commission-approved financing costs of such securitized asset cost bonds have been recovered in full.

b. A financing order issued to an electric utility shall remain in effect and unabated notwithstanding the reorganization, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings, merger, or sale of the electric utility or its successors or assignees.

C. 1. The Commission shall not, in exercising its powers and carrying out its duties regarding any matter within its authority pursuant to this chapter, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, (i) consider the securitized asset cost bonds issued pursuant to a financing order to be the debt of the electric utility other than for federal income tax purposes, including for any purpose under § 56-585.8; (ii) consider the securitized asset cost charges paid under the financing order to be the revenue of the electric utility for any purpose, including for any purpose under § 56-585.8; (iii) consider the securitized asset costs or financing costs specified in the financing order to be the costs of the electric utility, including for any purpose under § 56-585.8; or (iv) determine any action taken by an electric utility that is consistent with the financing order to be unjust or unreasonable.

2. The Commission shall not order or otherwise directly or indirectly require an electric utility to use securitized asset cost bonds to finance any project, addition, plant, facility, extension, capital improvement, equipment, or any other expenditure. After the issuance of a financing order, the electric utility shall retain sole discretion regarding whether to cause the securitized asset cost bonds to be issued, including the right to defer or postpone such sale, assignment, transfer, or issuance. Nothing shall prevent the electric utility from abandoning the issuance of securitized asset cost bonds under the financing order by filing with the Commission a statement of abandonment and the reasons therefor. The Commission shall not deny an electric utility its right to recover securitized asset costs as otherwise provided in this section, or refuse or condition authorization or approval of the issuance and sale by an electric utility of securities or the assumption by the electric utility of liabilities or obligations, solely because of the potential availability of securitized asset cost bond financing.

D. The electric bills of an electric utility that has obtained a financing order and caused securitized asset cost bonds to be issued shall comply with the provisions of this subsection; however, the failure of an electric utility to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate, impair, or affect any financing order, securitized asset cost property, securitized asset cost charge, or securitized asset cost bonds. The electric utility shall:

1. Explicitly reflect that a portion of the charges on any electric bill represents securitized asset cost charges approved in a financing order issued to the electric utility and, if the securitized asset cost property has been transferred to an assignee, such bill shall include a statement to the effect that the assignee is the owner of the rights to securitized asset cost charges and that the electric utility or another entity, if applicable, is acting as a collection agent or servicer for the assignee. The tariff applicable to customers must indicate the securitized asset cost charge and the ownership of the charge; and

2. Include the securitized asset cost charge on each customer's bill as a separate line item and include both the rate and the amount of the charge on each bill.

E. 1. The following provisions shall be applicable to securitized asset cost property:

a. All securitized asset cost property that is specified in a financing order shall constitute an existing, present intangible property right or interest therein, notwithstanding that the imposition and collection of securitized asset cost charges depends on the electric utility, to which the financing order is issued, performing its servicing functions relating to the collection of securitized asset cost charges and on future electricity consumption. The securitized asset cost property shall exist (i) regardless of whether or not the revenues or proceeds arising from the securitized asset cost property have been billed, have accrued, or have been collected and (ii) notwithstanding the fact that the value or amount of the securitized asset cost property is dependent on the future provision of service to customers by the electric utility or its successors or assignees and the future consumption of electricity by customers;

b. Securitized asset cost property specified in a financing order shall exist until securitized asset cost bonds issued pursuant to the financing order are paid in full and all financing costs and other costs of such securitized asset cost bonds have been recovered in full;

c. All or any portion of securitized asset cost property specified in a financing order issued to an electric utility may be transferred, sold, conveyed, or assigned to a successor or assignee that is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the electric utility and created for the limited purpose of acquiring, owning, or administering securitized asset cost property or issuing securitized asset cost bonds under the financing order. All or any portion of securitized asset cost property may be pledged to secure securitized asset cost bonds issued pursuant to the financing order, amounts payable to financing parties and to counterparties under any ancillary agreements, and other financing costs. Any transfer, sale, conveyance, assignment, or grant of a security interest in or pledge of securitized asset cost property by an electric utility, or an affiliate of the electric utility, to an assignee, to the extent previously authorized in a financing order, shall not require the prior consent and approval of the Commission;

d. If an electric utility defaults on any required payment of charges arising from securitized asset cost property specified in a financing order, a court, upon application by an interested party, and without limiting any other remedies available to the applying party, shall order the sequestration and payment of the revenues arising from the securitized asset cost property to the financing parties or their assignees. Any such financing order shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any reorganization, bankruptcy, or other insolvency proceedings with respect to the electric utility or its successors or assignees;

e. The interest of a transferee, purchaser, acquirer, assignee, or pledgee in securitized asset cost property specified in a financing order issued to an electric utility, and in the revenue and collections arising from that property, shall not be subject to setoff, counterclaim, surcharge, or defense by the electric utility or any other person or in connection with the reorganization, bankruptcy, or other insolvency of the electric utility or any other entity;

f. Any successor to an electric utility, whether pursuant to any reorganization, bankruptcy, or other insolvency proceeding or whether pursuant to any merger or acquisition, sale, or other business combination, or transfer by operation of law, as a result of electric utility restructuring or otherwise, shall perform and satisfy all obligations of, and have the same rights under a financing order as, the electric utility under the financing order in the same manner and to the same extent as the electric utility, including collecting and paying to the person entitled to receive the revenues, collections, payments, or proceeds of the securitized asset cost property. Nothing in this subdivision f is intended to limit or impair any authority of the Commission concerning the transfer or succession of interests of public utilities; and

g. Securitized asset cost bonds shall be nonrecourse to the credit or any assets of the electric utility other than the securitized asset cost property as specified in the financing order and any rights under any ancillary agreement.

2. The following provisions shall be applicable to security interests:

a. The creation, perfection, and enforcement of any security interest in securitized asset cost property to secure the repayment of the principal and interest and other amounts payable in respect of securitized asset cost bonds; amounts payable under any indenture, ancillary agreement, or other financing documents in respect of the securitized asset costs; and other financing costs shall be governed by this subsection and not by the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code;

b. A security interest in securitized asset cost property shall be created and enforceable when all of the following have occurred: (i) a financing order is issued, (ii) value is received by the debtor or seller for such securitized asset cost property, (iii) the debtor or seller has rights in such securitized asset cost property or the power to transfer rights in such securitized asset cost property, and (iv) a security agreement granting such security interest is executed and delivered by the debtor or seller. The description of securitized asset cost property in a security agreement shall be sufficient if the description refers to this section and the financing order creating the securitized asset cost property;

c. A security interest shall attach without any physical delivery of collateral or other act and, upon the filing of a financing statement with the Commission, the lien of the security interest shall be valid, binding, and perfected against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the person granting the security interest, regardless of whether the parties have notice of the lien. Also upon this filing, a transfer of an interest in the securitized asset cost property shall be perfected against all parties having claims of any kind, including any judicial lien or other lien creditors or any claims of the transferor or creditors of the transferor, and shall have priority over all competing claims other than any prior security interest, ownership interest, or assignment in the property previously perfected in accordance with this section;

d. The Commission shall maintain any financing statement filed to perfect any security interest under this section in the same manner that the Commission maintains financing statements filed by transmitting utilities under the Uniform Commercial Code. The filing of a financing statement under this section shall be governed by the provisions regarding the filing of financing statements in the Uniform Commercial Code;

e. The priority of a security interest in securitized asset cost property shall not be affected by the commingling of securitized asset cost charges with other amounts. Any pledgee or secured party shall have a perfected security interest in the amount of all securitized asset cost charges that are deposited in any cash or deposit account of the qualifying utility in which securitized asset cost charges have been commingled with other funds and any other security interest that may apply to those funds shall be terminated when they are transferred to a segregated account for the assignee or a financing party;

f. No application of the formula-based adjustment mechanism as provided in this section shall affect the validity, perfection, or priority of a security interest in or transfer of securitized asset cost property; and

g. If a default or termination occurs under the securitized asset cost bonds, the financing parties or their representatives may foreclose on or otherwise enforce their lien and security interest in any securitized asset cost property as if they were secured parties with a perfected and prior lien under the Uniform Commercial Code, and the Commission may order that amounts arising from securitized asset cost charges be transferred to a separate account for the financing parties' benefit, to which their lien and security interest shall apply. On application by or on behalf of the financing parties, the Commission shall order the sequestration and payment to them of revenues arising from the securitized asset cost charges.

3. a. Any sale, assignment, or other transfer of securitized asset cost property shall be an absolute transfer and true sale of and not a pledge of, or secured transaction relating to, the transferor's right, title, and interest in, to, and under the securitized asset cost property if the documents governing the transaction expressly state that the transaction is a sale or other absolute transfer other than for federal and state income tax purposes. For all purposes other than federal and state income tax purposes, the parties' characterization of a transaction as a sale of an interest in securitized asset cost property shall be conclusive that the transaction is a true sale and that ownership has passed to the party characterized as the purchaser, regardless of any fact or circumstance that might support characterization of the transfer as a secured transaction. A transfer of an interest in securitized asset cost property shall occur only when all of the following have occurred: (i) the financing order creating the securitized asset cost property has become effective, (ii) the documents evidencing the transfer of securitized asset cost property have been executed by the transferor and delivered to the assignee, and (iii) value is received by the transferor for the securitized asset cost property. After such a transaction, the securitized asset cost property shall not be subject to any claims of the transferor or the transferor's creditors, other than creditors holding a prior security interest in the securitized asset cost property perfected in accordance with subdivision 2.

b. The characterization of the sale, assignment, or other transfer as an absolute transfer and true sale, and the corresponding characterization of the interest of the assignee as an ownership interest, shall not be affected or impaired by the occurrence of any of the following factors:

(1) Commingling of securitized asset cost charges with other amounts;

(2) The retention by the seller of (i) a partial or residual interest, including an equity interest, in the securitized asset cost property, whether direct or indirect, or whether subordinate or otherwise, or (ii) the right to recover costs associated with taxes, franchise fees, or license fees imposed on the collection of securitized asset cost charges;

(3) Any recourse that the assignee may have against the seller;

(4) Any right or obligation that the seller may have to repurchase the securitized asset cost charges;

(5) Any indemnification obligations of the seller;

(6) The obligation of the seller to collect securitized asset cost charges on behalf of the assignee;

(7) The transferor acting as the servicer of the securitized asset cost charges or the existence of any contract that authorizes or requires the electric utility, to the extent that any interest in securitized asset cost property is sold or assigned, to agree with the assignee or any financing party that it will continue to operate its system to provide service to its customers, will collect amounts in respect of the securitized asset cost charges for the benefit and account of such assignee or financing party, and will account for and remit such amounts to or for the account of such assignee or financing party;

(8) The treatment of the sale, conveyance, assignment, or other transfer for tax, financial reporting, or other purposes;

(9) The granting or providing to bondholders of a preferred right to the securitized asset cost property or credit enhancement by the electric utility or its affiliates with respect to the securitized asset cost bonds; or

(10) Any application of the formula-based adjustment mechanism as provided in this section.

c. Any right that an electric utility has in the securitized asset cost property before its pledge, sale, or transfer or any other right created under this section or created in the financing order and assignable under this section or assignable pursuant to a financing order shall be property in the form of a contract right or a chose in action. Transfer of an interest in securitized asset cost property to an assignee shall be enforceable only when all of the following have occurred: (i) a financing order is issued, (ii) value is received by the transferor for such securitized asset cost property, (iii) the transferor has rights in such securitized asset cost property or the power to transfer rights in such securitized asset cost property, and (iv) transfer documents in connection with the issuance of securitized asset cost bonds are executed and delivered by the transferor. An enforceable transfer of an interest in securitized asset cost property to an assignee shall be perfected against all third parties, including subsequent judicial or other lien creditors, when a notice of that transfer has been given by the filing of a financing statement in accordance with subdivision 2 c. The transfer shall be perfected against third parties as of the date of filing.

d. The Commission shall maintain any financing statement filed to perfect any sale, assignment, or transfer of securitized asset cost property under this section in the same manner that the Commission maintains financing statements filed by transmitting utilities under the Uniform Commercial Code. The filing of any financing statement under this section shall be governed by the provisions regarding the filing of financing statements in the Uniform Commercial Code. The filing of such a financing statement shall be the only method of perfecting a transfer of securitized asset cost property.

e. The priority of a transfer perfected under this section shall not be impaired by any later modification of the financing order or securitized asset cost property or by the commingling of funds arising from securitized asset cost property with other funds. Any other security interest that may apply to those funds, other than a security interest perfected under subdivision 2, shall be terminated when they are transferred to a segregated account for the assignee or a financing party. If securitized asset cost property has been transferred to an assignee or financing party, any proceeds of that property shall be held in trust for the assignee or financing party.

f. The priority of the conflicting interests of assignees in the same interest or rights in any securitized asset cost property shall be determined as follows:

(1) Conflicting perfected interests or rights of assignees shall rank according to priority in time of perfection. Priority shall date from the time a filing covering the transfer is made in accordance with subdivision 2 c;

(2) A perfected interest or right of an assignee shall have priority over a conflicting unperfected interest or right of an assignee; and

(3) A perfected interest or right of an assignee shall have priority over a person who becomes a lien creditor after the perfection of such assignee's interest or right.

F. The description of securitized asset cost property being transferred to an assignee in any sale agreement, purchase agreement, or other transfer agreement, granted or pledged to a pledgee in any security agreement, pledge agreement, or other security document, or indicated in any financing statement shall only be sufficient if such description or indication refers to the financing order that created the securitized asset cost property and states that the agreement or financing statement covers all or part of the property described in the financing order. This section shall apply to all purported transfers of, and all purported grants or liens or security interests in, securitized asset cost property, regardless of whether the related sale agreement, purchase agreement, other transfer agreement, security agreement, pledge agreement, or other security document was entered into, or any financing statement was filed.

G. All financing statements referenced in this section shall be subject to Part 5 of Title 8.9A (§ 8.9A-501 et seq.) of the Uniform Commercial Code, except that the requirement as to continuation statements shall not apply.

H. The laws of the Commonwealth shall govern the validity, enforceability, attachment, perfection, priority, and exercise of remedies with respect to the transfer of an interest or right or the pledge or creation of a security interest in any securitized asset cost property.

I. Neither the Commonwealth nor its political subdivisions shall be liable on any securitized asset cost bonds, and the bonds shall not be a debt or a general obligation of the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, nor shall they be special obligations or indebtedness of the Commonwealth or any of its agencies or political subdivisions. An issue of securitized asset cost bonds shall not, directly, indirectly, or contingently, obligate the Commonwealth or any agency, political subdivision, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth to levy any tax or make any appropriation for payment of the securitized asset cost bonds, other than in their capacity as consumers of electricity. All securitized asset cost bonds shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the following effect: "NEITHER THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT NOR THE TAXING POWER OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS PLEDGED TO THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF, OR INTEREST ON, THIS BOND."

J. All of the following entities may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys, or other funds in securitized asset cost bonds:

1. Subject to applicable statutory restrictions on state or local investment authority, the Commonwealth, units of local government, political subdivisions, public bodies, and public officers, except for members of the Commission;

2. Banks and bankers, savings and loan associations, credit unions, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, investment companies, insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on a banking or insurance business;

3. Personal representatives, guardians, trustees, and other fiduciaries; and

4. All other persons authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of a similar nature.

K. 1. The Commonwealth and its agencies, including the Commission, pledge and agree with bondholders, the owners of the securitized asset cost property, and other financing parties that the Commonwealth and its agencies shall not take any action listed in this subdivision. This subsection does not preclude limitation or alteration if full compensation is made by law for the full protection of the securitized asset cost charges collected pursuant to a financing order and of the bondholders and any assignee or financing party entering into a contract with the electric utility. The Commonwealth and its agencies, including the Commission, shall not:

a. Alter the provisions of this section that authorize the Commission to create an irrevocable contract right or chose in action by the issuance of a financing order, to create securitized asset cost property, and to make the securitized asset cost charges imposed by a financing order irrevocable, binding, or non-bypassable charges;

b. Take or permit any action that impairs or would impair the value of securitized asset cost property or the security for the securitized asset cost bonds or revises the securitized asset costs for which recovery is authorized;

c. In any way impair the rights and remedies of the bondholders, assignees, and other financing parties; or

d. Except for changes made pursuant to the formula-based adjustment mechanism authorized under this section, reduce, alter, or impair securitized asset cost charges that are to be imposed, billed, charged, collected, and remitted for the benefit of the bondholders, any assignee, and any other financing parties until any and all principal, interest, premium, financing costs and other fees, expenses, or charges incurred, and any contracts to be performed, in connection with the related securitized asset cost bonds have been paid and performed in full.

2. Any person that issues securitized asset cost bonds may include the language specified in subdivision 1 in the securitized asset cost bonds and related documentation.

L. An assignee or financing party shall not be considered an electric utility or person providing electric service by virtue of engaging in the transactions described in this section.

M. If there is a conflict between this section and any other law regarding the attachment, assignment, or perfection, or the effect of perfection, or priority of, assignment or transfer of, or security interest in securitized asset cost property, this section shall govern.

N. In making determinations under this section, the Commission may engage an outside consultant and counsel.

O. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of an electric utility to seek any available relief pursuant to any other provision of law, including § 56-585.8.

P. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any customer that has chosen to purchase electric energy from a licensed supplier other than the incumbent electric utility serving the exclusive territory in which such customer is located pursuant to § 56-577 prior to February 1, 2019.

§ 56-596.7. Energy upgrade programs.

A. As used in this section and §§ 56-596.8, 56-596.9, and 56-596.10:

"Electric utility" or "utility" means a Phase I or Phase II Utility.

"Eligible customer" means a customer of an electric utility that (i) owns the property at which the customer receives utility service or (ii) rents the property at which the customer receives utility service, pays all or some of the regular bill for the utility service, and has the written permission of the property owner to participate in a utility's program.

"Energy project" means an upgrade of the efficiency of energy usage at a participant's location, including the addition of renewable energy generation systems such as solar projects, energy efficiency improvements, energy storage systems, demand response equipment, and any combination of such upgrades. "Energy project" includes the conversion of fossil fuel-fired appliances to electric.

"Participant" means (i) an eligible customer that elects to participate in a utility's program or (ii) a successor customer.

"Phase I Utility" has the same meaning as provided in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1.

"Phase II Utility" has the same meaning as provided in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1.

"Energy upgrade program" or "program" means an energy upgrade program offered by a utility pursuant to this section and §§ 56-596.8, 56-596.9, and 56-596.10.

"Program contractor" means a contractor that is selected by the participant from an approved list facilitated by a program operator to perform an energy project.

"Program operator" means a state agency or entity responsible for implementing a utility's program pursuant to this section.

"Reasonable rate of return" means the utility's Commission-approved return on equity.

"Special rate" means a rate established in a schedule established by a utility in order to recover its costs incurred in offering one or more energy projects and a reasonable rate of return on those costs.

"Special rate charge" means a monthly or other regular charge that is associated with one or more energy projects and that a participant or a successor customer at a location pays to a utility pursuant to a special rate, provided that proper notice was given prior to a change in ownership or occupancy in accordance with §§ 55.1-1202 and 55.1-1204.

"Successor customer" means a customer of a utility taking occupancy at a location where an energy project has been installed and where a special rate charge is still in effect.

B. Each electric utility shall implement an energy upgrade program by January 1, 2027. Such program shall:

1. Allow a program operator to implement energy projects at an eligible customer's location and recover the costs of such energy project by imposing a special rate charge that is payable directly through the customer's utility bill;

2. Allow an eligible customer of a utility to request and agree to the installation of an energy project at such customer's location;

3. Set a program participant's special rate charge based on the program operator's cost calculations as described in subsection D of § 56-596.9. A program participant's annual special rate charges shall not exceed 80 percent of the participant's estimated annual cost savings under utility rates in place at the time of installation of the energy project. The term of cost recovery shall be no more than 80 percent of the estimated life span of the installed upgrade. After a project has been operational for one year, a program operator shall evaluate the project to ensure that it is performing as estimated and if needed may adjust the special rate charge to better reflect actual savings. Program participants may request that the program operator perform an additional evaluation halfway through the energy project's useful life to ensure that the project is performing as estimated and, if needed, the program operator may adjust the special rate charge to better reflect actual savings. The Commission may determine and set the percentages for special rate charges and term of cost recovery at a lower percentage if the Commission determines that a lower percentage better serves ratepayers. The Commission may also determine and set different percentages for special rate charges and term of cost recovery for different types of energy upgrade technologies that are part of an energy project;

4. Allow eligible customers to voluntarily provide payment to a program contractor to ensure that energy projects meet the requirements described in subsection D of § 56-596.9;

5. Allow eligible customers to make one or more voluntarily additional payments towards the cost of the energy project, in an amount of the customer's choosing, at any time;

6. Require participants to permit a utility to recover its costs for investments at individual participants' locations by collecting a special rate charge through the participants' utility bills;

7. Be consistent with the essential consumer protections listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's inclusive utility investment website at the time of program design;

8. For a program offered by a Phase II Utility, incorporate any eligible energy projects implemented under the program in the virtual power plant pilot program required by § 56-585.1:6 to the extent practicable; and

9. Allow participants to jointly participate in the Percentage Of Income Payment Program established pursuant to § 56-585.6.

C. In offering a program, a utility shall apply the special rate charge to a participant's bill no sooner than 45 days after an energy project is inspected and approved by a program operator or a program operator's designee.

D. In offering a program, a utility shall provide each eligible customer with information about all applicable utility and government programs to reduce costs of energy bills through energy efficiency and demand response, including rebates, tax credits, and virtual power plants, as well as utility bill discounts or subsidies and free energy improvements. A program operator shall coordinate with customers and the administrators of relevant no-cost and low-cost programs to ensure that eligible customers have pursued such discounts, subsidies, and improvements before proceeding with energy projects under a program.

E. A utility offering a program shall hire one or more experienced program operators, in accordance with rules promulgated by the Commission, to operate the program.

F. In designing a program, a program operator shall, in consultation with the utility, make reasonable efforts to identify eligible customers with a high potential for cost savings. In marketing a program, a program operator may prioritize marketing to high energy users and customers with failed essential equipment such as space and water heating equipment. In implementing a program, a program operator shall (i) prioritize the use of program contractors that have employees who have received training through state-created or state-funded job training programs; (ii) pursue, to the extent practicable, bulk procurement of equipment and may pursue other cost-saving measures such as competitive pricing among program contractors; and (iii) coordinate, whenever structural repairs are deemed to be necessary prior to installation of an energy project and to the extent practicable, with the Department of Housing and Community Development and other relevant agencies to connect eligible customers to available funding for such repairs and, if necessary, to a qualified weatherization provider.

G. No utility shall require an eligible customer to continue paying the special rate charge for any energy project that fails to perform as intended and is not repaired within 21 days after the utility receives notice of the failure, unless the energy project has been damaged or failed to be maintained by the participant or occupants at the location. The program operator or the program operator's designee shall be responsible for verifying any failure and its cost. The program operator or its designee shall also be responsible for repairing the failed project. In the case of such a failure, the utility may resume applying charges after the energy project is repaired and functioning, and the utility may extend the term of payments to recover the utility's costs for missed payments and repairs, provided the repairs were necessary because of actions by the program participant, for as long as the energy project continues to function. If the energy project is not repaired within 21 days, the utility shall bear the costs of repayment until the energy project is repaired. Disputes that arise concerning the assignment of fault for a failed energy project shall be handled using the dispute resolution process established by Commission regulation for disputes arising out of the interconnection process for small electrical generators and storage. For failures that are determined to be caused by the actions of a participant or occupant and such participant or occupant is unable to afford the necessary repairs, the Commission shall establish a procedure to resolve such failures. Such a procedure may include a petition by the utility to write-off the necessary repairs, recalculation of the special rate charge, utilization of energy assistance services, or arrearage management plans.

H. A customer that damages or fails to maintain an energy project shall be responsible for the full repair of the project and payment of the balance to the utility for cost recovery associated with the damage within the energy project. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the participant at a location with an energy project shall be responsible for the actions of any occupants at such location.

I. Special rate charges shall be binding on successor customers in locations where energy projects have been installed, provided that proper notice was given by the seller or property owner prior to a change in ownership or occupancy. Upon notice to a program operator of a successor customer assuming responsibility for the utility bill at a location where an energy project has been installed, the program operator shall evaluate the project to ensure estimated savings for the successor customer and may adjust the repayment length or special rate charge amount, or both, as necessary. However, in no event shall (i) the repayment term length exceed 90 percent of the energy project's estimated useful life or (ii) the special rate charge amount exceed 90 percent of estimated savings.

J. The Commission shall evaluate each program implemented pursuant to this section 18 months after a utility begins offering a program and every five years thereafter. In evaluating the program, the Commission shall consider, among other things, participant net costs, on-site energy usage changes across all relevant fuels, grid benefits, housing characteristics, and demographic data.

K. Nothing in this section shall exempt an energy project from any other approval process that it would otherwise be subject to, including the approval processes of applicable homeowners associations, condominiums, or cooperatives.

§ 56-596.8. Energy upgrade programs; capital investment requirements; recovery of costs.

A. The Commission shall establish program guidelines with the schedule of program availability as follows:

1. On and after July 1, 2027, and until July 1, 2029:

a. Each Phase I Utility shall invest capital in an amount not less than $150 million for investments in energy projects implemented under the Phase I Utility's program;

b. Each Phase II Utility shall invest capital in an amount not less than $750 million for investments in energy projects implemented under the Phase II Utility's program; and

c. Phase I and Phase II Utilities shall prioritize residential solar and hybrid solar and storage energy projects.

2. On and after July 1, 2029, and until July 1, 2030:

a. Each Phase I Utility shall invest capital in an amount not less than $50 million for investments in energy projects implemented under the Phase I Utility's program; and

b. Each Phase II Utility shall invest capital in an amount equal to $50 million for investments in energy projects implemented under the Phase II Utility's program.

3. On and after July 1, 2030, each utility shall invest capital in an amount that allows the utility to implement cost-effective energy projects requested by any eligible customer of the utility, identified by a third party or the program operator.

B. A program operator shall inform customers of the availability of the program and their potential eligibility to participate.

C. The Commission shall promulgate rules allowing each utility to recover all of the incurred costs of offering a program, provided that the utility meets the Commission's thresholds for the number of customers served and the amount of its investments in those customers' locations. Capital investments incurred by a Phase I Utility pursuant to this section shall be eligible for securitization in accordance with the provisions of § 56-249.8. Energy projects shall be considered regulatory assets of the utility for purposes of cost recovery. However, the energy projects installed at the customer's property shall be considered the customer's property and in no event shall the energy projects be deemed to be owned by the utility.

D. A utility shall treat a completed energy project as an essential utility service and shall treat nonpayment for a completed energy project the same as all other essential utility services.

E. All federal funding received for energy projects shall be applied directly to reduce the special rate charges or terms of cost recovery paid by eligible customers, whichever the Commission deems is more beneficial to the customer.

F. The Commission shall create a reserve fund to make up for any shortfalls in anticipated savings for participants if the Commission determines after its evaluation conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection J of § 56-596.7 that such a reserve fund is necessary. To the extent funds remain in the fund after savings shortfalls have been addressed, such funds may also be used as voluntary additional payments for low-income customers who could not participate in the program but for the voluntary additional payment.

§ 56-596.9. Energy upgrade programs; program operator duties.

A. A program operator shall implement a utility's program by contacting potential participants, assessing which energy projects qualify for the program at certain locations, ensuring that program contractors' licenses and certificates of insurance are maintained, ensuring that energy projects are completed by program contractors, overseeing energy project installations, and resolving disputes between parties during the installation and life span of an energy project.

B. A program operator may negotiate with supply chain actors, including manufacturers, distributors, and installation contractors, to obtain discounts for services or products from program contractors in order to lower costs for the utility and for eligible participants.

C. In calculating the cost-effectiveness of a proposed energy project in an eligible customer's location, a program operator shall use the process established by the rules promulgated by the Commission pursuant to § 56-596.7. A program operator shall determine that a proposed energy project is sufficiently cost-effective only if the program operator determines that the monetary value of the estimated energy savings from the energy project will produce annual net savings after the special rate charge is applied, based on rates in effect at the time of installation or using a Commission-approved rate escalation algorithm.

D. A program operator shall create and administer an authorized contractor program to provide authorized contractors to a utility that offers an energy upgrade program. The Commission shall establish minimum criteria for contractors that wish to participate in the authorized contractor program, including requiring participating contractors to demonstrate specific skills, licensure, or certification and possess adequate insurance or bonding coverage. In any list of program contractors produced by a program operator, the program operator shall highlight any contractor that is a licensed residential building energy analyst as defined in § 54.1-1144. The program operator shall prioritize local hiring within the authorized contractor program.

E. The Commission shall establish compensation for program operators tied to the necessary costs for the provision of services by program operators.

§ 56-596.10. Energy upgrade programs; implementation plan.

A. No later than January 1, 2027, the Commission shall require each utility in the Commonwealth to hire a program operator to implement an energy upgrade program.

B. No later than the date at which the Commission's rules relating to energy upgrade programs become effective, each utility shall submit an implementation plan to the Commission that describes the utility's plan for implementing such a program. If the Commission finds that the content of the implementation plan does not comply with the requirements of §§ 56-596.7, 56-596.8, and 56-596.9 or any rule promulgated by the Commission, the Commission may require the utility to modify its implementation plan.

2. That, no later than 180 days after the effective date of this act, the State Corporation Commission shall convene a stakeholder process in which interested parties shall evaluate issues related to energy projects, as defined in § 56-596.7 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act. The stakeholder group shall submit comments related to the implementation of energy upgrade programs by utilities pursuant to §§ 56-596.7 through 56-596.10 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act. The stakeholder group shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2026, and shall submit to the Chairs of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor a report of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

3. That the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of §§ 56-596.7 through 56-596.10 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, to be effective within 365 days of the effective date of this act. In promulgating the regulations, the Commission shall review the input of stakeholders convened pursuant to the second enactment of this act. The regulations shall include (i) rules for determining which potential energy projects are eligible for program participation, except that energy projects that are intended to directly improve gas, water, and space heating appliance operating efficiency or to install gas appliances shall not be eligible projects; (ii) rules establishing conditions under which certain electric utilities may secure capital to fund energy projects, as required by § 56-596.8 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, and in promulgating such rules the Commission shall (a) allow utilities to raise capital independently or work with third-party lenders to secure capital; (b) require a utility to identify the least costly sources of capital suitable for the duration of cost recovery as specified in section § 56-596.7 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act; and (c) allow the Commonwealth to identify or provide the lowest cost capital for a utility's program; (iii) rules establishing a process for program operators to use to calculate the cost-effectiveness of proposed energy projects at a customer's location and the Commission's approval of each program operator's cost-effectiveness analysis protocols and software prior to their use in one or more programs or the Commission may designate an independent third-party certification in lieu of direct approval; (iv) rules establishing guidelines for program operators to use in communicating with customers about a utility program; (v) rules requiring each utility to hire one or more experienced program operators to perform the duties described in § 56-596.9 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, which program operator shall not be partially or wholly owned by the hiring utility nor owned by companies that the hiring utility partially or wholly owns; (vi) rules that require continued bill savings for successor customers, with a focus on successor customers in rental properties; and (vii) rules and standards for evaluation, measurement, and verification of utility programs consistent with those in 20VAC5-318-50 of the Virginia Administrative Code. In promulgating rules, the Commission shall determine how best to include access to the program for utility customers that need emergency upgrades when one or more major existing appliances fail and must be quickly replaced.

4. That, in promulgating rules pursuant to this first and third enactments of this act, the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall determine how best to serve residents of environmental justice communities, as defined in § 2.2-234 of the Code of Virginia, through implementation of a program, as defined in § 56-596.7 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act. The Commission may consider targeted marketing efforts, engagement and communication with groups and programs that serve environmental justice communities, requiring utilities to ensure that a certain percentage of customers participating in a program are members of an environmental justice community, requiring utilities to exempt members of environmental justice communities from all or a portion of the special rate charges for program participation, and requiring utilities to ensure that terms of cost recovery for members of environmental justice communities do not exceed a certain percentage of the estimated life span of the installed upgrade. Should the Commission promulgate rules based on these considerations, it shall direct affected utilities to create a fund or to identify and use other sources of funding to pay for repair or remediation of structural or health and safety deficiencies that prevent implementation of energy upgrades to buildings that house or serve environmental justice communities. In rules promulgated pursuant to the first and third enactments of this act, the Commission may allow affected utilities to recover from customers the cost of funding the repairs and remediation that may be required for energy upgrades to buildings that house or serve environmental justice communities.