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HB 2537

Energy storage requirements; Department of Energy, et al., to develop model ordinances, reports.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Hernandez and 5 co-sponsors

Virginia bill mandating state development of model energy storage ordinances for local governments to guide new building requirements, vetoed by governor but rejected that veto in House vote.

Vetoed by Governor
0
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Bill Summary · HB 2537

Legislative bill overview

HB 2537 would require Virginia's Department of Energy to develop model ordinances and produce reports regarding energy storage requirements for new buildings and developments. The bill aims to establish standardized guidelines that local governments could adopt to integrate battery storage and other energy storage systems into building codes and land use planning.

Why is this important

Energy storage is increasingly critical to grid reliability and renewable energy adoption, as it addresses intermittency issues with solar and wind power. By creating model ordinances, the bill seeks to reduce barriers to storage deployment and provide municipalities with ready-made policy frameworks rather than requiring each locality to develop storage standards independently.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden and costs: Requiring energy storage in new construction could increase building costs, potentially affecting housing affordability and development feasibility, particularly in price-sensitive markets
  • Implementation feasibility: Local governments may lack technical expertise or infrastructure readiness to enforce storage requirements, and technology standards may evolve faster than ordinances can be updated
  • Scope and mandates: Disagreement exists over whether storage should be universally required versus incentivized, and whether the state should impose guidelines on local land-use decisions

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

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