Subcommittee advances pilot allowing localities to help fund undergrounding of transmission lines

Delegate Singh presented HB 1487, which would set up a pilot allowing a locality and a utility to negotiate undergrounding of transmission lines with the locality contributing a share of the incremental cost. Under the substitute, a locality could back out if final SCC cost findings make the project unreasonable; Singh said the bill improves on a similar measure from the prior year by clarifying local contribution levels and the SCC's role.

Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power credited the patron for working through concerns; Chrissy Noonan said Dominion thought the draft was moving in the right direction though implementation details remain. Nicole Riley for the data center coalition acknowledged engagement but said the industry was "not there yet" on the language because of potential impacts on data center costs and competitiveness; she noted data centers contribute substantial local tax revenue in Loudoun County.

The committee adopted the substitute and reported it 7–1.

What happens next: The substitute moves forward for further committee consideration; localities and utilities will negotiate pilot terms during SCC review and potential local opt-in processes.