Legislative Priorities

Behind nearly every cost-of-living increase is a familiar thread: a broken political system shaped by powerful corporations to protect profits, not people. Corporate abuse takes many forms, but nowhere is it clearer than in Virginia’s energy system.

That’s why a long list of lawmakers have put forward bills this legislative session focused on getting money out of politics and advancing clean, affordable energy:

Campaign Finance Reform Bills

Clean Campaigns Act

Sets reasonable contribution limits for the amount of money any entity may donate to any one candidate, and bans political contributions and independent expenditures from foreign-influenced corporations

Corporate Power Reset Act

Bypasses the restrictions on state-level campaign finance reform imposed by Citizens United v. FEC to ensure that political spending is a choice made by real people, not by corporations using vague legal powers

Power Without Politics Act

Prohibits regulated utility monopolies from contributing to the political campaigns and committees of government officials who are tasked with regulating them

Local Public Campaign Financing

Provides localities the freedom to establish public financing programs for local elected offices, allowing candidates to run competitive races fueled by small-dollar donations so they can spend more time meeting with constituents instead of calling lists of wealthy donors

Energy and Regulatory Policies

Performance-Based Regulation workgroup

Directs state regulators to convene a workgroup to design an improved regulatory framework, known as Performance-Based Regulation (PBR), that aligns utility incentives with performance and better outcomes for customers

Appalachian Power Customer Protection Act

Ensures APCo's profit is determined fairly, protects customers from paying for uneconomic decisions made by the utility, and ensures that reliable power is delivered at the lowest reasonable cost

Fair Share Energy Act

Protects Virginia families and businesses from paying unfair costs for energy infrastructure that is used to serve the growing data center industry

Energy Bills Integrity Act

Prevents regulated utility monopolies from charging customers for activities unrelated to providing electric service, such as political contributions, lobbying, luxury expenses, and advertising

No New Gas for Big Tech

Protects Virginians from subsidizing costly, polluting fossil fuel infrastructure by requiring data centers to obtain a certificate of operation from the State Corporation Commission before they connect to the grid

Clean and Competitive Procurement Act

Ensures that utilities properly consider less expensive and cleaner options before pursuing new fossil fuel infrastructure

Additional Bills We’re Supporting

  • Local Democracy Support Funds (HB 639): This bill, carried by Delegate Paul Krizek, allows election officials to accept property or services from private individuals or nonprofit organizations to support elections. These resources can be used for voter education, voter registration, and other costs related to running elections, helping ensure voters have the information and support they need to participate.
  • Fuel Cost Shared Responsibility (HB 1256): Instead of passing all fuel cost increases directly to customers, this bill, carried by Delegate Irene Shin, requires utilities and customers to share the risk when costs go up or down.
  • Tax Exemption Standards for Data Centers (HB 897 and SB 465): This bill, carried by Delegate Rip Sullivan and Senator Creigh Deeds, updates the rules for data centers to qualify for tax exemption, ensuring that tax benefits only go to data centers that reduce pollution and support a cleaner energy system.
  • Fair Power Planning Act (HB 429 and SB 249): This bill, carried by Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling and Senator Scott Surovell, updates how Virginia’s electric utilities plan for the future by extending the planning period from 15 years to 20 years and changing the planning period from every two years to every three years. The bill also strengthens public input by requiring an independent facilitator for the stakeholder review process and directing the State Corporation Commission to set clear rules that promote transparency, strong planning and meaningful public participation.