HB1244: State Corporation Commission; electric vehicle charging infrastructure & rooftop solar energy, etc.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1244

Offered January 19, 2022
A BILL to direct the State Corporation Commission to evaluate the availability and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and rooftop solar energy collection device installation to residents of the Commonwealth; report.
Patron-- Scott, D.L.
Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall evaluate the availability and accessibility of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and rooftop solar energy collection device installation to residents statewide and provide a comprehensive overview of the same. In conducting its evaluation, the Commission shall determine the following for each locality in the Commonwealth: (i) the number of EV charging facilities currently accessible, (ii) the average availability of EV charging infrastructure to residents compared with the statewide average, (iii) the average number of homes utilizing rooftop solar energy collection devices compared with the statewide average, (iv) any indicators of recent growth or opportunities for increased development of EV charging infrastructure, (v) any indicators of recent growth or opportunities for increased access to and installation of rooftop solar energy collection devices, (vi) whether the locality or parts thereof qualify as a historically economically disadvantaged community, as that term is defined in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia, and (vii) the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch compared with the statewide average. The Commission shall also forecast installation and utilization of EV charging infrastructure and rooftop solar energy collection device utilization over the next five years. The Commission shall work with relevant stakeholders as needed and determined by the Commission, including providers of EV charging infrastructure or rooftop solar energy collection devices and electric utilities, in collecting data and carrying out its evaluation. The Commission shall report the findings of its evaluation and analysis by December 1, 2022, to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Commerce and Energy and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.