{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1710.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1710.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1710.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1710.html"}],"law_id":78018,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78018,"structure_id":15995,"section_number":"45.2-1710","catch_line":" Development of the Virginia Energy Plan","history":"2006, c. 939, \u00a7 67-201; 2014, cc. 603, 756; 2020, cc. 1191, 1192; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 326, 327, 387.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Division, in consultation with the State Corporation Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Clean Energy Advisory Board, the solar, wind, energy efficiency, and transportation electrification sectors, and a stakeholder group that includes representatives of consumer, environmental, manufacturing, forestry, and agricultural organizations and natural gas and electric utilities, shall prepare a comprehensive Virginia Energy Plan (the Plan) that identifies actions over a 10-year period consistent with the goal of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1 to achieve, no later than 2045, a net-zero carbon energy economy for all sectors, including the electricity, transportation, building, agricultural, and industrial sectors. The Plan shall propose actions, consistent with the objectives enumerated in § 45.2-1706.1, that will implement the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1.B\n\nIn addition, the Plan shall include:1\n\nProjections of energy consumption in the Commonwealth, including the use of fuel sources and costs of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, coal, renewable resources, and other forms of non-greenhouse-gas-generating energy resources, such as nuclear power, used in the Commonwealth;2\n\nAn analysis of the adequacy of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution resources in the Commonwealth for the natural gas and electric industries, and how distributed energy resources and regional generation, transmission, and distribution resources affect the Commonwealth;3\n\nAn analysis of siting requirements for electric generation resources and natural gas and electric transmission and distribution resources, including an assessment of state and local impediments to expanded use of distributed resources and recommendations to reduce or eliminate such impediments;4\n\nAn analysis of fuel diversity for electricity generation, recognizing the importance of flexibility in meeting future capacity needs;5\n\nAn analysis of the efficient use of energy resources and conservation initiatives;6\n\nAn analysis of how such Virginia-specific issues relate to regional initiatives to ensure the adequacy of fuel production, generation, transmission, and distribution assets;7\n\nAn analysis of the siting of energy resource development, refining, and transmission facilities to identify any disproportionate adverse impact of such activities on economically disadvantaged or minority communities;8\n\nWith regard to any regulations proposed or adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units under § 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7411(d), an analysis of (i) the costs to and benefits for energy producers and electric utility customers, (ii) the effect on energy markets and reliability, and (iii) the commercial availability of technology required to comply with such regulations;9\n\nAn inventory of greenhouse gas emissions compiled using a method determined by the Department of Environmental Quality for the four years prior to the issuance of the Plan;10\n\nData regarding the number and type of electric and hybrid electric vehicles currently registered in the Commonwealth; projections of future electric vehicle sales across all vehicle classes, taking into consideration the impact of current and potential statewide policies; and analysis of the impact that the growth of electrified transit on the Commonwealth’s electric system;11\n\nAn analysis of the Commonwealth’s current electric vehicle charging infrastructure and all future infrastructure needed to support the 2045 net-zero carbon target in the transportation sector, including chargers, make-ready electrical equipment, and supporting hardware and software needed to support the electrification of all vehicle categories used on and off roads and highways, including light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and electric bicycles, as well as that needed to electrify ground transportation at all ports and airports, with particular attention to the needs of historically economically disadvantaged communities as defined in § 56-576 and any state or local impediments to deployment; and12\n\nRecommendations, based on the analyses completed under subdivisions 1 through 11, for legislative, regulatory, and other public and private actions to implement the elements of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy.C\n\nIn preparing the Plan, the Division and other agencies involved in the planning process shall utilize state geographic information systems, to the extent deemed practicable, to assess how recommendations in the Plan may affect pristine natural areas and other significant onshore natural resources. Effective October 1, 2024, interim updates on the Plan shall also contain projections for greenhouse gas emissions that would result from implementation of the Plan’s recommendations.D\n\nIn preparing the Plan, the Division and other agencies involved in the planning process shall develop a system for assigning numerical scores to any parcel of real property based on the extent to which such parcel is suitable for the siting of a wind energy facility or solar energy facility. For a wind energy facility, the scoring system shall address the wind velocity, sustained velocity, and turbulence. For either a wind energy facility or a solar energy facility, the scoring system shall address the parcel’s proximity to electric power transmission lines or systems, potential impacts of such a facility to natural and historic resources and to economically disadvantaged or minority communities, and compatibility with the local land use plan. The system developed pursuant to this section shall allow the suitability of the parcel for the siting of a wind energy or solar energy facility to be compared to the suitability of other parcels so scored, and shall be based on a scale that allows the suitability of the parcel for the siting of such a facility to be measured against the hypothetical score of an ideal location for such a facility.E\n\nUpon receipt by the Division of a recommendation from the Department of General Services, a local governing body, or the parcel’s owner stating that a parcel of real property is a potentially suitable location for a wind energy facility or solar energy facility, the Division shall analyze the suitability of the parcel for the location of such a facility. In conducting its analysis, the Division shall ascribe a numerical score to the parcel using the scoring system developed pursuant to subsection D.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":279710,"text":"The Division, in consultation with the State Corporation Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Clean Energy Advisory Board, the solar, wind, energy efficiency, and transportation electrification sectors, and a stakeholder group that includes representatives of consumer, environmental, manufacturing, forestry, and agricultural organizations and natural gas and electric utilities, shall prepare a comprehensive Virginia Energy Plan (the Plan) that identifies actions over a 10-year period consistent with the goal of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1 to achieve, no later than 2045, a net-zero carbon energy economy for all sectors, including the electricity, transportation, building, agricultural, and industrial sectors. The Plan shall propose actions, consistent with the objectives enumerated in § 45.2-1706.1, that will implement the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":279711,"text":"In addition, the Plan shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":279712,"text":"Projections of energy consumption in the Commonwealth, including the use of fuel sources and costs of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, coal, renewable resources, and other forms of non-greenhouse-gas-generating energy resources, such as nuclear power, used in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":279713,"text":"An analysis of the adequacy of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution resources in the Commonwealth for the natural gas and electric industries, and how distributed energy resources and regional generation, transmission, and distribution resources affect the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":279714,"text":"An analysis of siting requirements for electric generation resources and natural gas and electric transmission and distribution resources, including an assessment of state and local impediments to expanded use of distributed resources and recommendations to reduce or eliminate such impediments;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":279715,"text":"An analysis of fuel diversity for electricity generation, recognizing the importance of flexibility in meeting future capacity needs;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":279716,"text":"An analysis of the efficient use of energy resources and conservation initiatives;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":279717,"text":"An analysis of how such Virginia-specific issues relate to regional initiatives to ensure the adequacy of fuel production, generation, transmission, and distribution assets;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":279718,"text":"An analysis of the siting of energy resource development, refining, and transmission facilities to identify any disproportionate adverse impact of such activities on economically disadvantaged or minority communities;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":279719,"text":"With regard to any regulations proposed or adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units under § 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7411(d), an analysis of (i) the costs to and benefits for energy producers and electric utility customers, (ii) the effect on energy markets and reliability, and (iii) the commercial availability of technology required to comply with such regulations;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"B9"},"10":{"id":279720,"text":"An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions compiled using a method determined by the Department of Environmental Quality for the four years prior to the issuance of the Plan;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"B9","prefix_anchor":"B9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B8","next_prefix":"B10"},"11":{"id":279721,"text":"Data regarding the number and type of electric and hybrid electric vehicles currently registered in the Commonwealth; projections of future electric vehicle sales across all vehicle classes, taking into consideration the impact of current and potential statewide policies; and analysis of the impact that the growth of electrified transit on the Commonwealth’s electric system;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"B10","prefix_anchor":"B10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B9","next_prefix":"B11"},"12":{"id":279722,"text":"An analysis of the Commonwealth’s current electric vehicle charging infrastructure and all future infrastructure needed to support the 2045 net-zero carbon target in the transportation sector, including chargers, make-ready electrical equipment, and supporting hardware and software needed to support the electrification of all vehicle categories used on and off roads and highways, including light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and electric bicycles, as well as that needed to electrify ground transportation at all ports and airports, with particular attention to the needs of historically economically disadvantaged communities as defined in § 56-576 and any state or local impediments to deployment; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"B11","prefix_anchor":"B11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B10","next_prefix":"B12"},"13":{"id":279723,"text":"Recommendations, based on the analyses completed under subdivisions 1 through 11, for legislative, regulatory, and other public and private actions to implement the elements of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"B12","prefix_anchor":"B12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B11","next_prefix":"C"},"14":{"id":279724,"text":"In preparing the Plan, the Division and other agencies involved in the planning process shall utilize state geographic information systems, to the extent deemed practicable, to assess how recommendations in the Plan may affect pristine natural areas and other significant onshore natural resources. Effective October 1, 2024, interim updates on the Plan shall also contain projections for greenhouse gas emissions that would result from implementation of the Plan’s recommendations.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B12","next_prefix":"D"},"15":{"id":279725,"text":"In preparing the Plan, the Division and other agencies involved in the planning process shall develop a system for assigning numerical scores to any parcel of real property based on the extent to which such parcel is suitable for the siting of a wind energy facility or solar energy facility. For a wind energy facility, the scoring system shall address the wind velocity, sustained velocity, and turbulence. For either a wind energy facility or a solar energy facility, the scoring system shall address the parcel’s proximity to electric power transmission lines or systems, potential impacts of such a facility to natural and historic resources and to economically disadvantaged or minority communities, and compatibility with the local land use plan. The system developed pursuant to this section shall allow the suitability of the parcel for the siting of a wind energy or solar energy facility to be compared to the suitability of other parcels so scored, and shall be based on a scale that allows the suitability of the parcel for the siting of such a facility to be measured against the hypothetical score of an ideal location for such a facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"16":{"id":279726,"text":"Upon receipt by the Division of a recommendation from the Department of General Services, a local governing body, or the parcel’s owner stating that a parcel of real property is a potentially suitable location for a wind energy facility or solar energy facility, the Division shall analyze the suitability of the parcel for the location of such a facility. In conducting its analysis, the Division shall ascribe a numerical score to the parcel using the scoring system developed pursuant to subsection D.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15995,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Energy Plan","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13194,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:03:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:03:23","permalink":{"id":224945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15995,"identifier":"4","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4","url":"\/45.2\/V\/17\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13194,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Sources of Energy Generally; Energy Policy","identifier":"17","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12714,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","permalink":{"id":224889,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13194,"identifier":"17","token":"45.2\/V\/17","url":"\/45.2\/V\/17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12714,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Sources of Energy; Energy Policy","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":224887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12714,"identifier":"V","token":"45.2\/V","url":"\/45.2\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","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":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":78018,"structure_id":15995,"section_number":"45.2-1710","catch_line":" Development of the Virginia Energy Plan","url":"\/45.2-1710\/","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1710","metadata":false},{"id":69230,"structure_id":15995,"section_number":"45.2-1711","catch_line":" Schedule for the Plan","url":"\/45.2-1711\/","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1711","metadata":false},{"id":64569,"structure_id":15995,"section_number":"45.2-1712","catch_line":"Annual reporting by investor-owned public utilities","url":"\/45.2-1712\/","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1712","metadata":false},{"id":62438,"structure_id":15995,"section_number":"45.2-1713","catch_line":"Submission of the Plan","url":"\/45.2-1713\/","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1713","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":69230,"structure_id":15995,"section_number":"45.2-1711","catch_line":" Schedule for the Plan","url":"\/45.2-1711\/","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1711","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1710\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 939<\/a> 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. It has been modified 2 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 2014, chapters 603<\/a> and 756<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1191<\/a> and 1192<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56971,"section_number":"23.1-2626","catch_line":" Powers and duties of the Center","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-2626\/"},{"id":72997,"section_number":"28.2-1208","catch_line":"Granting easements in, permitting the use of, or leasing the beds of certain waters","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1208\/"},{"id":65131,"section_number":"45.2-1701","catch_line":"Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency established; powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1701\/"},{"id":77219,"section_number":"45.2-1718","catch_line":"(Effective until July 1, 2029) Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority established; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1718\/"},{"id":59830,"section_number":"56-601","catch_line":"Natural gas conservation and ratemaking efficiency","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-601\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84117,"section_number":"45.2-1706.1","catch_line":" Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1706.1\/"},{"id":62210,"section_number":"56-576","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-576\/"}],"permalink":{"id":224947,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78018,"identifier":"45.2-1710","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1710","url":"\/45.2-1710\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1710\/","token":"45.2\/V\/17\/4\/45.2-1710","dublin_core":{"Title":" Development of the Virginia Energy Plan","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1710","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Division<\/span>, in consultation with the State Corporation Commission, the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality, the Clean Energy Advisory Board, the solar, wind, energy efficiency, and transportation electrification sectors, and a stakeholder group that includes representatives of consumer, environmental, manufacturing, forestry, and agricultural organizations and natural gas and electric utilities, shall prepare a comprehensive Virginia Energy Plan<\/span> (the Plan<\/span>) that identifies actions over a 10-year period consistent with the goal of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1<\/a> to achieve, no later than 2045, a net-zero carbon energy economy for all sectors, including the electricity, transportation, building, agricultural, and industrial sectors. The Plan<\/span> shall propose actions, consistent with the objectives enumerated in § 45.2-1706.1<\/a>, that will implement the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In addition, the Plan<\/span> shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Projections of energy consumption in the Commonwealth, including the use of fuel sources and costs of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, coal, renewable resources, and other forms of non-greenhouse-gas-generating energy resources, such as nuclear power, used in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> An analysis of the adequacy of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution resources in the Commonwealth for the natural gas and electric industries, and how distributed energy resources and regional generation, transmission, and distribution resources affect the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> An analysis of siting requirements for electric generation resources and natural gas and electric transmission and distribution resources, including an assessment of state and local impediments to expanded use of distributed resources and recommendations to reduce or eliminate such impediments; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> An analysis of fuel diversity for electricity generation, recognizing the importance of flexibility in meeting future capacity needs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> An analysis of the efficient use of energy resources and conservation initiatives; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> An analysis of how such Virginia-specific issues<\/span> relate to regional initiatives to ensure the adequacy of fuel production, generation, transmission, and distribution assets<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> An analysis of the siting of energy resource development, refining, and transmission facilities to identify any disproportionate adverse impact of such activities on economically disadvantaged or minority communities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> With regard to any regulations proposed or adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units under § 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7411(d), an analysis of (i) the costs to and benefits for energy producers and electric utility customers, (ii) the effect on energy markets and reliability, and (iii) the commercial availability of technology required to comply with such regulations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions compiled using a method determined by the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality for the four years prior to the issuance of the Plan<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Data regarding the number and type of electric and hybrid electric vehicles currently registered in the Commonwealth; projections of future electric vehicle sales across all vehicle classes, taking into consideration the impact of current and potential statewide policies; and analysis of the impact that the growth of electrified transit on the Commonwealth’s electric system; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> An analysis of the Commonwealth’s current electric vehicle charging infrastructure and all future infrastructure needed to support the 2045 net-zero carbon target in the transportation sector, including chargers, make-ready electrical equipment, and supporting hardware and software needed to support the electrification of all vehicle categories used on and off roads and highways, including light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and electric bicycles, as well as that needed to electrify ground transportation at all ports and airports, with particular attention to the needs of historically economically disadvantaged communities as defined in § 56-576<\/a> and any state or local impediments to deployment; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Recommendations, based on the analyses completed under subdivisions 1 through 11, for legislative, regulatory, and other public and private actions to implement the elements of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In preparing the Plan<\/span>, the Division<\/span> and other agencies involved in the planning process shall utilize state geographic information systems, to the extent deemed practicable, to assess how recommendations in the Plan<\/span> may affect pristine natural areas and other significant onshore natural resources. Effective October 1, 2024, interim updates on the Plan<\/span> shall also contain projections for greenhouse gas emissions that would result from implementation of the Plan<\/span>’s recommendations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In preparing the Plan<\/span>, the Division<\/span> and other agencies involved in the planning process shall develop a system for assigning numerical scores to any parcel of real property based on the extent to which such parcel is suitable for the siting of a wind energy facility or solar energy facility. For a wind energy facility, the scoring system shall address the wind velocity, sustained velocity, and turbulence. For either a wind energy facility or a solar energy facility, the scoring system shall address the parcel’s proximity to electric power transmission lines or systems, potential impacts of such a facility to natural and historic resources and to economically disadvantaged or minority communities, and compatibility with the local land use plan<\/span>. The system developed pursuant to this section shall allow the suitability of the parcel for the siting of a wind energy or solar energy facility to be compared to the suitability of other parcels so scored, and shall be based on a scale that allows the suitability of the parcel for the siting of such a facility to be measured against the hypothetical score of an ideal location for such a facility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Upon receipt by the Division<\/span> of a recommendation from the Department<\/span> of General Services, a local governing body, or the parcel’s owner stating that a parcel of real property is a potentially suitable location for a wind energy facility or solar energy facility, the Division<\/span> shall analyze the suitability of the parcel for the location of such a facility. In conducting its analysis, the Division<\/span> shall ascribe a numerical score to the parcel using the scoring system developed pursuant to subsection D. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n DEVELOPMENT OF THE VIRGINIA ENERGY PLAN (\u00a7 45.2-1710)\n\nA. The Division, in consultation with the State Corporation Commission, the\nDepartment of Environmental Quality, the Clean Energy Advisory Board, the solar,\nwind, energy efficiency, and transportation electrification sectors, and a\nstakeholder group that includes representatives of consumer, environmental,\nmanufacturing, forestry, and agricultural organizations and natural gas and\nelectric utilities, shall prepare a comprehensive Virginia Energy Plan (the\nPlan) that identifies actions over a 10-year period consistent with the goal of\nthe Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set forth in § 45.2-1706.1 to achieve,\nno later than 2045, a net-zero carbon energy economy for all sectors, including\nthe electricity, transportation, building, agricultural, and industrial sectors.\nThe Plan shall propose actions, consistent with the objectives enumerated in\n§ 45.2-1706.1, that will implement the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy set\nforth in § 45.2-1706.1.\n\nB. In addition, the Plan shall include:\n\n 1. Projections of energy consumption in the Commonwealth, including the use of\n fuel sources and costs of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, coal, renewable\n resources, and other forms of non-greenhouse-gas-generating energy resources,\n such as nuclear power, used in the Commonwealth;\n\n 2. An analysis of the adequacy of electricity generation, transmission, and\n distribution resources in the Commonwealth for the natural gas and electric\n industries, and how distributed energy resources and regional generation,\n transmission, and distribution resources affect the Commonwealth;\n\n 3. An analysis of siting requirements for electric generation resources and\n natural gas and electric transmission and distribution resources, including an\n assessment of state and local impediments to expanded use of distributed\n resources and recommendations to reduce or eliminate such impediments;\n\n 4. An analysis of fuel diversity for electricity generation, recognizing the\n importance of flexibility in meeting future capacity needs;\n\n 5. An analysis of the efficient use of energy resources and conservation\n initiatives;\n\n 6. An analysis of how such Virginia-specific issues relate to regional\n initiatives to ensure the adequacy of fuel production, generation,\n transmission, and distribution assets;\n\n 7. An analysis of the siting of energy resource development, refining, and\n transmission facilities to identify any disproportionate adverse impact of\n such activities on economically disadvantaged or minority communities;\n\n 8. With regard to any regulations proposed or adopted by the U.S.\n Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil\n fuel-fired electric generating units under § 111(d) of the federal Clean\n Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7411(d), an analysis of (i) the costs to and\n benefits for energy producers and electric utility customers, (ii) the effect\n on energy markets and reliability, and (iii) the commercial availability of\n technology required to comply with such regulations;\n\n 9. An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions compiled using a method determined\n by the Department of Environmental Quality for the four years prior to the\n issuance of the Plan;\n\n 10. Data regarding the number and type of electric and hybrid electric\n vehicles currently registered in the Commonwealth; projections of future\n electric vehicle sales across all vehicle classes, taking into consideration\n the impact of current and potential statewide policies; and analysis of the\n impact that the growth of electrified transit on the Commonwealth’s\n electric system;\n\n 11. An analysis of the Commonwealth’s current electric vehicle charging\n infrastructure and all future infrastructure needed to support the 2045\n net-zero carbon target in the transportation sector, including chargers,\n make-ready electrical equipment, and supporting hardware and software needed\n to support the electrification of all vehicle categories used on and off roads\n and highways, including light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and\n electric bicycles, as well as that needed to electrify ground transportation\n at all ports and airports, with particular attention to the needs of\n historically economically disadvantaged communities as defined in §\n 56-576 and any state or local impediments to deployment; and\n\n 12. Recommendations, based on the analyses completed under subdivisions 1\n through 11, for legislative, regulatory, and other public and private actions\n to implement the elements of the Commonwealth Clean Energy Policy.\n\nC. In preparing the Plan, the Division and other agencies involved in the\nplanning process shall utilize state geographic information systems, to the\nextent deemed practicable, to assess how recommendations in the Plan may affect\npristine natural areas and other significant onshore natural resources.\nEffective October 1, 2024, interim updates on the Plan shall also contain\nprojections for greenhouse gas emissions that would result from implementation\nof the Plan’s recommendations.\n\nD. In preparing the Plan, the Division and other agencies involved in the\nplanning process shall develop a system for assigning numerical scores to any\nparcel of real property based on the extent to which such parcel is suitable for\nthe siting of a wind energy facility or solar energy facility. For a wind energy\nfacility, the scoring system shall address the wind velocity, sustained\nvelocity, and turbulence. For either a wind energy facility or a solar energy\nfacility, the scoring system shall address the parcel’s proximity to\nelectric power transmission lines or systems, potential impacts of such a\nfacility to natural and historic resources and to economically disadvantaged or\nminority communities, and compatibility with the local land use plan. The system\ndeveloped pursuant to this section shall allow the suitability of the parcel for\nthe siting of a wind energy or solar energy facility to be compared to the\nsuitability of other parcels so scored, and shall be based on a scale that\nallows the suitability of the parcel for the siting of such a facility to be\nmeasured against the hypothetical score of an ideal location for such a\nfacility.\n\nE. Upon receipt by the Division of a recommendation from the Department of\nGeneral Services, a local governing body, or the parcel’s owner stating\nthat a parcel of real property is a potentially suitable location for a wind\nenergy facility or solar energy facility, the Division shall analyze the\nsuitability of the parcel for the location of such a facility. In conducting its\nanalysis, the Division shall ascribe a numerical score to the parcel using the\nscoring system developed pursuant to subsection D.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, c. 939, \u00a7 67-201; 2014, cc. 603, 756; 2020, cc. 1191, 1192;\n2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 326, 327, 387.","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}}