{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2202.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2202.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2202.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2202.html"}],"law_id":73449,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73449,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2202","catch_line":"Duties of state agencies; electric utilities","history":"1993, c. 786, \u00a7 15.1-428.1; 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 281; 2007, c. 761; 2011, c. 699; 2022, c. 480.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department of Environmental Quality shall distribute a copy of the environmental impact report submitted to the Department for every major state project pursuant to regulations promulgated under § 10.1-1191 to the chief administrative officer of every locality in which each project is proposed to be located. The purpose of the distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate the proposed project for environmental impact, consistency with the locality’s comprehensive plan, local ordinances adopted pursuant to this chapter, and other applicable law and to provide the locality with an opportunity to comment. The Department shall distribute the reports to localities, solicit their comments, and consider their responses in substantially the same manner as the Department solicits and receives comments from state agencies.B\n\nIn addition to the information supplied under subsection A, every department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the Commonwealth which is responsible for the construction, operation, or maintenance of public facilities within any locality shall, upon the request of the local planning commission having authority to prepare a comprehensive plan, furnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission relative to the master plans of the state agency which may affect the locality’s comprehensive plan. Each state agency shall collaborate and cooperate with the local planning commission, when requested, in the preparation of the comprehensive plan to the end that the local comprehensive plan will coordinate the interests and responsibilities of all concerned. The state agency shall notify the chief administrative officer of the locality when updates to its land use plans are completed and available.C\n\nEvery state agency responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality in which the agency intends to undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of construction and site plans and shall inform localities that preliminary construction and site plans will be available for distribution, upon the request of the locality. Agencies shall not be required to give such notice prior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances other than building codes and to provide the locality with an opportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a request from a locality, the state agency shall transmit a copy of the plans to the locality for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality to solicit public input during the planning phase of the project.D\n\nEvery institution of higher education responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality in which the institution intends to undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of construction and site plans and shall inform the locality that preliminary construction and site plans will be available for distribution, upon request of the locality. Institutions shall not be required to give such notice prior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances other than building codes and to provide the locality with an opportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a request from a locality, the institution shall transmit a copy of the plans to the locality for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality to solicit public input during the planning phase of the project.E\n\nEvery electric utility that is responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more shall furnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission having authority to prepare a comprehensive plan within the utility’s certificated service area relative to any electric transmission line of 150 kilovolts or more that may affect the locality’s comprehensive plan. If the locality seeks to include the designation of corridors or routes for electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more in its comprehensive plan, the local planning commission shall give the electric utility a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such corridors or routes. The electric utility shall notify the chief administrative officer of every locality in which the electric utility plans to undertake construction of any electric transmission line of 150 kilovolts or more, prior to the filing of any application for approval of such construction with the State Corporation Commission, of its intention to file any such application and shall give the locality a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such line.F\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to require any state agency or electric utility to duplicate any submission required to be made by the agency or the electric utility to a locality under any other provision of law.G\n\nNothing herein shall be deemed to abridge the authority of any state agency or the State Corporation Commission regarding the facilities now or hereafter coming under its jurisdiction. However, failure of any state agency to strictly comply with subsection C will justify entry of an injunction on behalf of the locality.H\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to highway, transit or other projects, as provided in subsection B of § 10.1-1188.I\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to the entering of any option by any state agency or electric utility for any projects listed in subsection C, D or E.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":264312,"text":"The Department of Environmental Quality shall distribute a copy of the environmental impact report submitted to the Department for every major state project pursuant to regulations promulgated under § 10.1-1191 to the chief administrative officer of every locality in which each project is proposed to be located. The purpose of the distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate the proposed project for environmental impact, consistency with the locality’s comprehensive plan, local ordinances adopted pursuant to this chapter, and other applicable law and to provide the locality with an opportunity to comment. The Department shall distribute the reports to localities, solicit their comments, and consider their responses in substantially the same manner as the Department solicits and receives comments from state agencies.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":264313,"text":"In addition to the information supplied under subsection A, every department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the Commonwealth which is responsible for the construction, operation, or maintenance of public facilities within any locality shall, upon the request of the local planning commission having authority to prepare a comprehensive plan, furnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission relative to the master plans of the state agency which may affect the locality’s comprehensive plan. Each state agency shall collaborate and cooperate with the local planning commission, when requested, in the preparation of the comprehensive plan to the end that the local comprehensive plan will coordinate the interests and responsibilities of all concerned. The state agency shall notify the chief administrative officer of the locality when updates to its land use plans are completed and available.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":264314,"text":"Every state agency responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality in which the agency intends to undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of construction and site plans and shall inform localities that preliminary construction and site plans will be available for distribution, upon the request of the locality. Agencies shall not be required to give such notice prior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances other than building codes and to provide the locality with an opportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a request from a locality, the state agency shall transmit a copy of the plans to the locality for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality to solicit public input during the planning phase of the project.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":264315,"text":"Every institution of higher education responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality in which the institution intends to undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of construction and site plans and shall inform the locality that preliminary construction and site plans will be available for distribution, upon request of the locality. Institutions shall not be required to give such notice prior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances other than building codes and to provide the locality with an opportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a request from a locality, the institution shall transmit a copy of the plans to the locality for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality to solicit public input during the planning phase of the project.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":264316,"text":"Every electric utility that is responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more shall furnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission having authority to prepare a comprehensive plan within the utility’s certificated service area relative to any electric transmission line of 150 kilovolts or more that may affect the locality’s comprehensive plan. If the locality seeks to include the designation of corridors or routes for electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more in its comprehensive plan, the local planning commission shall give the electric utility a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such corridors or routes. The electric utility shall notify the chief administrative officer of every locality in which the electric utility plans to undertake construction of any electric transmission line of 150 kilovolts or more, prior to the filing of any application for approval of such construction with the State Corporation Commission, of its intention to file any such application and shall give the locality a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such line.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":264317,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any state agency or electric utility to duplicate any submission required to be made by the agency or the electric utility to a locality under any other provision of law.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":264318,"text":"Nothing herein shall be deemed to abridge the authority of any state agency or the State Corporation Commission regarding the facilities now or hereafter coming under its jurisdiction. However, failure of any state agency to strictly comply with subsection C will justify entry of an injunction on behalf of the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":264319,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to highway, transit or other projects, as provided in subsection B of § 10.1-1188.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"8":{"id":264320,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to the entering of any option by any state agency or electric utility for any projects listed in subsection C, D or E.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13080,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12774,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:15","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:15","permalink":{"id":154797,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13080,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12774,"edition_id":1,"name":"Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning","identifier":"22","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":154795,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12774,"identifier":"22","token":"15.2\/II\/22","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67218,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2200","catch_line":"Declaration of legislative intent","url":"\/15.2-2200\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2200","metadata":false},{"id":77758,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2201","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-2201\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2201","metadata":false},{"id":73449,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2202","catch_line":"Duties of state agencies; electric utilities","url":"\/15.2-2202\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2202","metadata":false},{"id":63989,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2203","catch_line":"Existing planning commissions and boards of zoning appeals; validation of plans previously adopted","url":"\/15.2-2203\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2203","metadata":false},{"id":73996,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2204","catch_line":"Advertisement of plans, ordinances, etc.; joint public hearings; written notice of certain amendments","url":"\/15.2-2204\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2204","metadata":false},{"id":78283,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2205","catch_line":"Additional notice of planning or zoning matters","url":"\/15.2-2205\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2205","metadata":false},{"id":65873,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2206","catch_line":"When locality may require applicant to give notice; how given","url":"\/15.2-2206\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2206","metadata":false},{"id":64104,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2207","catch_line":"Public notice of juvenile residential care facilities in certain localities","url":"\/15.2-2207\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2207","metadata":false},{"id":72291,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2208","catch_line":"Restraining violations of chapter","url":"\/15.2-2208\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2208","metadata":false},{"id":60413,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2208.1","catch_line":"Damages for unconstitutional grant or denial by locality of certain permits and approvals","url":"\/15.2-2208.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2208.1","metadata":false},{"id":55396,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2208.2","catch_line":"Damages for an enforcement action undertaken by a locality with willful disregard for applicable law","url":"\/15.2-2208.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2208.2","metadata":false},{"id":75882,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2209","catch_line":"Civil penalties for violations of zoning ordinance","url":"\/15.2-2209\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209","metadata":false},{"id":76085,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1","catch_line":"Extension of approvals to address housing crisis","url":"\/15.2-2209.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1","metadata":false},{"id":54128,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1:1","catch_line":"Extension of approvals to address the COVID-19 pandemic","url":"\/15.2-2209.1_1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":55192,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1:2","catch_line":"Extension of land use approvals for solar photovoltaic projects","url":"\/15.2-2209.1_2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":83217,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2209.2","catch_line":"Public infrastructure maintenance bonds","url":"\/15.2-2209.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.2","metadata":false},{"id":64238,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2209.3","catch_line":"Residential land development and construction fee transparency; annual report","url":"\/15.2-2209.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77758,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2201","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-2201\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2201","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63989,"structure_id":13080,"section_number":"15.2-2203","catch_line":"Existing planning commissions and boards of zoning appeals; validation of plans previously adopted","url":"\/15.2-2203\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2203","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2202\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1993. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 786 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1993 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 281<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 761<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 699<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 480<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":65908,"section_number":"33.2-1805","catch_line":"Affected localities or public entities","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1805\/"},{"id":71170,"section_number":"56-46.1","catch_line":"Commission to consider environmental, economic, and improvements in service reliability factors in approving construction of electrical utility facilities; approval required for construction of certain electrical transmission lines; notice and hearings","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-46.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":53948,"section_number":"10.1-1191","catch_line":"Development of procedures, etc., for administration of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1191\/"}],"permalink":{"id":154807,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73449,"identifier":"15.2-2202","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2202","url":"\/15.2-2202\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2202\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2202","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of state agencies; electric utilities","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2202","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department of Environmental Quality shall distribute a copy of the environmental impact report submitted to the Department for every major state project pursuant to regulations promulgated under § 10.1-1191<\/a> to the chief administrative officer of every locality<\/span> in which each project is proposed to be located. The purpose of the distribution is to enable the locality<\/span> to evaluate the proposed project for environmental impact, consistency with the locality<\/span>’s comprehensive plan, local ordinances<\/span> adopted pursuant to this chapter, and other applicable law<\/span> and to provide the locality<\/span> with an opportunity to comment. The Department shall distribute the reports to localities, solicit their comments, and consider their responses in substantially the same manner as the Department solicits and receives comments from state agencies. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In addition to the information supplied under subsection A, every department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the Commonwealth which is responsible for the construction, operation, or maintenance of public facilities within any locality<\/span> shall, upon the request of the local planning commission<\/span> having authority to prepare a comprehensive plan, furnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission<\/span> relative to the master plans of the state agency which may affect the locality<\/span>’s comprehensive plan. Each state agency shall collaborate and cooperate with the local planning commission<\/span>, when requested, in the preparation of the comprehensive plan to the end that the local comprehensive plan will coordinate the interests and responsibilities of all concerned. The state agency shall notify the chief administrative officer of the locality<\/span> when updates to its land use plans are completed and available. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Every state agency responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality<\/span> in which the agency intends to undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of construction and site plans<\/span> and shall inform localities that preliminary construction and site plans<\/span> will be available for distribution, upon the request of the locality<\/span>. Agencies shall not be required to give such notice prior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable the locality<\/span> to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances<\/span> other than building codes and to provide the locality<\/span> with an opportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a request from a locality<\/span>, the state agency shall transmit a copy of the plans to the locality<\/span> for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality<\/span> to solicit public input during the planning phase of the project. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Every institution of higher education responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality<\/span> in which the institution intends to undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of construction and site plans<\/span> and shall inform the locality<\/span> that preliminary construction and site plans<\/span> will be available for distribution, upon request of the locality<\/span>. Institutions shall not be required to give such notice prior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable the locality<\/span> to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances<\/span> other than building codes and to provide the locality<\/span> with an opportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a request from a locality<\/span>, the institution shall transmit a copy of the plans to the locality<\/span> for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality<\/span> to solicit public input during the planning phase of the project. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Every electric utility that is responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more shall furnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission<\/span> having authority to prepare a comprehensive plan within the utility’s certificated service area relative to any electric transmission line of 150 kilovolts or more that may affect the locality<\/span>’s comprehensive plan. If the locality<\/span> seeks to include the designation of corridors or routes for electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more in its comprehensive plan, the local planning commission<\/span> shall give the electric utility a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such corridors or routes. The electric utility shall notify the chief administrative officer of every locality<\/span> in which the electric utility plans to undertake construction of any electric transmission line of 150 kilovolts or more, prior to the filing of any application for approval of such construction with the State Corporation Commission, of its intention to file any such application and shall give the locality<\/span> a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such line. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any state agency or electric utility to duplicate any submission required to be made by the agency or the electric utility to a locality<\/span> under any other provision of law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> Nothing herein shall be deemed to abridge the authority of any state agency or the State Corporation Commission regarding the facilities now or hereafter coming under its jurisdiction<\/span>. However, failure of any state agency to strictly comply with subsection C will justify entry of an injunction<\/span> on behalf of the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to highway, transit or other projects, as provided in subsection B of § 10.1-1188<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to the entering of any option by any state agency or electric utility for any projects listed in subsection C, D or E. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES; ELECTRIC UTILITIES (\u00a7 15.2-2202)\n\nA. The Department of Environmental Quality shall distribute a copy of the\nenvironmental impact report submitted to the Department for every major state\nproject pursuant to regulations promulgated under § 10.1-1191 to the chief\nadministrative officer of every locality in which each project is proposed to be\nlocated. The purpose of the distribution is to enable the locality to evaluate\nthe proposed project for environmental impact, consistency with the\nlocality’s comprehensive plan, local ordinances adopted pursuant to this\nchapter, and other applicable law and to provide the locality with an\nopportunity to comment. The Department shall distribute the reports to\nlocalities, solicit their comments, and consider their responses in\nsubstantially the same manner as the Department solicits and receives comments\nfrom state agencies.\n\nB. In addition to the information supplied under subsection A, every department,\nboard, bureau, commission, or other agency of the Commonwealth which is\nresponsible for the construction, operation, or maintenance of public facilities\nwithin any locality shall, upon the request of the local planning commission\nhaving authority to prepare a comprehensive plan, furnish reasonable information\nrequested by the local planning commission relative to the master plans of the\nstate agency which may affect the locality’s comprehensive plan. Each\nstate agency shall collaborate and cooperate with the local planning commission,\nwhen requested, in the preparation of the comprehensive plan to the end that the\nlocal comprehensive plan will coordinate the interests and responsibilities of\nall concerned. The state agency shall notify the chief administrative officer of\nthe locality when updates to its land use plans are completed and available.\n\nC. Every state agency responsible for the construction, operation or maintenance\nof public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send a notice addressed to\nthe chief administrative officer of every locality in which the agency intends\nto undertake a capital project involving new construction costing at least\n$500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation of the environmental impact\nreport process. This notice shall include a project description and a point of\ncontact with contact information for the project. A notice shall also be given\nduring the planning phase of the project and prior to preparation of\nconstruction and site plans and shall inform localities that preliminary\nconstruction and site plans will be available for distribution, upon the request\nof the locality. Agencies shall not be required to give such notice prior to\nacquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is to enable\nthe locality to evaluate the project for consistency with local ordinances other\nthan building codes and to provide the locality with an opportunity to submit\ncomments to the agency during the planning phase of a project. Upon receipt of a\nrequest from a locality, the state agency shall transmit a copy of the plans to\nthe locality for comment or conduct at least one public meeting in the locality\nto solicit public input during the planning phase of the project.\n\nD. Every institution of higher education responsible for the construction,\noperation or maintenance of public facilities within the Commonwealth shall send\na notice addressed to the chief administrative officer of every locality in\nwhich the institution intends to undertake a capital project involving new\nconstruction costing at least $500,000. The notice shall occur at the initiation\nof the environmental impact report process. This notice shall include a project\ndescription and a point of contact with contact information for the project. A\nnotice shall also be given during the planning phase of the project and prior to\npreparation of construction and site plans and shall inform the locality that\npreliminary construction and site plans will be available for distribution, upon\nrequest of the locality. Institutions shall not be required to give such notice\nprior to acquisition of property. The purpose of the notice and distribution is\nto enable the locality to evaluate the project for consistency with local\nordinances other than building codes and to provide the locality with an\nopportunity to submit comments to the agency during the planning phase of a\nproject. Upon receipt of a request from a locality, the institution shall\ntransmit a copy of the plans to the locality for comment or conduct at least one\npublic meeting in the locality to solicit public input during the planning phase\nof the project.\n\nE. Every electric utility that is responsible for the construction, operation,\nand maintenance of electric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more shall\nfurnish reasonable information requested by the local planning commission having\nauthority to prepare a comprehensive plan within the utility’s\ncertificated service area relative to any electric transmission line of 150\nkilovolts or more that may affect the locality’s comprehensive plan. If\nthe locality seeks to include the designation of corridors or routes for\nelectric transmission lines of 150 kilovolts or more in its comprehensive plan,\nthe local planning commission shall give the electric utility a reasonable\nopportunity for consultation about such corridors or routes. The electric\nutility shall notify the chief administrative officer of every locality in which\nthe electric utility plans to undertake construction of any electric\ntransmission line of 150 kilovolts or more, prior to the filing of any\napplication for approval of such construction with the State Corporation\nCommission, of its intention to file any such application and shall give the\nlocality a reasonable opportunity for consultation about such line.\n\nF. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any state agency or\nelectric utility to duplicate any submission required to be made by the agency\nor the electric utility to a locality under any other provision of law.\n\nG. Nothing herein shall be deemed to abridge the authority of any state agency\nor the State Corporation Commission regarding the facilities now or hereafter\ncoming under its jurisdiction. However, failure of any state agency to strictly\ncomply with subsection C will justify entry of an injunction on behalf of the\nlocality.\n\nH. The provisions of this section shall not apply to highway, transit or other\nprojects, as provided in subsection B of § 10.1-1188.\n\nI. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the entering of any option\nby any state agency or electric utility for any projects listed in subsection C,\nD or E.\n\nHISTORY: 1993, c. 786, \u00a7 15.1-428.1; 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 281; 2007, c. 761;\n2011, c. 699; 2022, c. 480.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}