2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103265D

SENATE BILL NO. 621

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to direct certain electric utilities to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval of electric grid utilization metrics.

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Patron—Srinivasan

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Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. No later than November 1, 2026, each Phase I and Phase II Utility, as such terms are defined in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia, shall petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for approval of grid utilization metrics. Such petition shall include an assessment of current electric distribution system performance as compared with optimal utilization of existing electric grid assets, including any information necessary for the Commission to evaluate the efficiency and performance of electric distribution system infrastructure owned and operated by each Phase I and Phase II Utility. Such petition shall include detailed and transparent information regarding how the required assessments are calculated and shall include an assessment of current system performance for each proposed metric. Any grid utilization metrics approved by the Commission shall include (i) the ratio of distribution system peak load to total distribution grid capacity, (ii) the ratio of current electric load delivered to total potential deliverable electric load over the distribution system, and (iii) the percentage of kilowatt-hours of electricity lost during the distribution process or by the distribution system. Such metrics shall be applied at the substation level and shall include a requirement to submit seasonal assessments of grid utilization and implementation of the metrics. The Commission shall issue its final order regarding such petitions no later than July 1, 2027. Such final order shall include (a) a timeline for each Phase I and Phase II Utility to increase grid utilization in accordance with the approved grid utilization metrics, (b) a description of how each Phase II Utility shall include such grid utilization metrics in future integrated resource plans submitted under Chapter 24 of Title 56 (§ 56-597 et seq.), and (c) a description of the ways in which Commission may utilize such grid utilization metrics in evaluating future utility requests for approval of cost recovery for capital investments.