Fossil fuel projects moratorium; establishes, clean energy mandates. (HB1490)

Introduced By

Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) with support from co-patron Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Fossil fuel projects moratorium; clean energy mandates. Establishes a moratorium, effective January 1, 2019, on approval by any state agency or political subdivision of any approval required for (i) electric generating facilities that generate fossil fuel energy through the combustion of a fossil fuel resource; (ii) import or export terminals for fossil fuel resources; (iii) certain maintenance activities relating to an import or export terminal for a fossil fuel resource; (iv) gathering lines or pipelines for the transport of any fossil fuel resource that requires the use of eminent domain on private property; (v) certain maintenance activities relating to such gathering lines or pipelines; (vi) refineries of a fossil fuel resource; and (vii) exploration for any type of fossil fuel, unless preempted by applicable federal law. The measure also requires not less than 80 percent of the electricity sold by a retail electric supplier in calendar years 2027 through 2034 to be generated from clean energy resources. In calendar year 2035 and every calendar year thereafter, all of the electricity sold by a retail electric supplier is required to be generated from clean energy resources. The clean energy mandates apply to a public utility or other person that sells not less than 1,000 megawatt hours of electric energy to retail customers or generates not less than 1,000 megawatt hours of electric energy for use by the person. The Director of the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is authorized to bring actions for injunctions to enforce these requirements. The measure also requires the Department to adopt a Climate Action Plan that addresses all aspects of climate change, including mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency. The measure provides that residents of the Commonwealth and organizations shall have the legal standing to sue to ensure that its provisions and any Climate Action Plan are enforced. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/18/2018Committee
01/18/2018Presented and ordered printed 18104052D
01/18/2018Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
01/23/2018Assigned C & L sub: Subcommittee #3
01/30/2018Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (6-Y 4-N)
02/13/2018Left in Commerce and Labor