WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2744

Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Sickles and 2 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requiring utilities to report on energy efficiency programs was vetoed by the Governor in March 2025 and the veto was sustained by the House.

House sustained Governor's veto
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2744

Legislative bill overview

HB 2744 required Virginia's electric utilities to submit comprehensive reports on energy efficiency upgrade programs, including cost-benefit analyses, implementation timelines, and customer participation rates. The bill aimed to increase transparency and accountability in how utilities plan and execute energy efficiency initiatives across their service territories.

Why is this important

Energy efficiency upgrades reduce consumer electricity bills and carbon emissions, but utilities have limited incentives to promote them since efficiency reduces energy sales. This bill sought to ensure utilities systematically track and report on efficiency opportunities, helping policymakers understand barriers to adoption and whether ratepayers are benefiting fairly from available programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Utility compliance costs: Utilities argued the reporting requirements imposed administrative burdens and costs that could be passed to ratepayers without guaranteeing efficiency improvements
  • Regulatory overlap: Questions existed about whether existing state energy efficiency standards and utility commission oversight made additional reporting redundant
  • Governor's rationale for veto: The veto suggests concerns about government mandates on private utilities or disagreement with the bill's approach to addressing efficiency gaps

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.