Solar Demonstration Projects Grant Program; established, Solar Energy Special Fund created. (HB1902)

Introduced By

Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) with support from co-patron Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church)

Progress

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

Description

Solar Demonstration Projects Grant Program. Establishes the Solar Demonstration Projects Grant Program (the Program). The Program, to be administered by the Virginia Solar Energy Center, will make $1 billion in grants available over three years to religious institutions (to the extent permitted under Article IV, Section 16 of the Constitution of Virginia), public schools, institutions of higher education, and localities in order to finance the installation and operation of solar photovoltaic energy generation systems. Grants may be used by the eligible entity to make payments (i) to an EPC firm that will install or operate the solar facility, which will be owned by the eligible entity, or (ii) to a third party that will own and operate the solar facility pursuant to a third-party power purchase agreement. The measure provides that the sale of electric power under a third-party power purchase agreement does not constitute a retail sale of electricity and is not subject to regulation by the State Corporation Commission. The measure establishes the Solar Energy Special Fund from which the grants are to be paid. Sources of moneys in the Fund include $1 billion in voluntary contributions over three years that are required to be made by each Phase I Utility and each Phase II Utility. The utilities are barred from recovering the contributed funds from ratepayers by raising electricity rates, adding fees, or other means. Of the grants awarded, 40 percent shall be awarded to congregations, 50 percent shall be awarded to educational institutions, and 10 percent shall be awarded to localities. The measure establishes a Community Advisory Board to oversee the implementation of the Program. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/04/2019Committee
01/04/2019Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19101125D
01/04/2019Referred to Committee on Appropriations
01/11/2019Assigned App. sub: Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources & Technology
01/24/2019Impact statement from DPB (HB1902)
01/30/2019House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered
01/30/2019Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 3-N)
02/05/2019Left in Appropriations