Subcommittee hears sharp debate over requiring independent RFPs before new fossil-fuel plants; bill laid on table

Delegate Tran said HB 1175 would require the SCC to hire a third-party administrator to run a fair, transparent and competitive all-source request-for-proposal (RFP) before a utility seeks permission to build a new fossil-fuel power plant. "There must be a fair and transparent and competitive process to determine whether cleaner and lower cost alternatives can achieve the same need," Tran said.

Supporters from Clean Virginia, Southern Environmental Law Center and conservation groups testified that prior procurement processes have lacked transparency; Laura Gonzales cited an instance where evaluation criteria were reportedly changed after bids were submitted. Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power opposed the bill, warning that an independent monitor making technical determinations about which resources are best could jeopardize reliability and substitute the commission's judgment. "If this bill passes... the commission loses the ability to make the ultimate determination on system needs," Chrissy Noonan for Dominion said.

After extended discussion that included concerns about feasibility and timing, Delegate Shoon moved to lay the bill on the table so the subcommittee could return to the topic later; the motion carried 9 to 0.