Governor Spanberger signs energy bills targeting affordability at Charlottesville event

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a slew of energy bills into law Tuesday, May 12, all aimed at making solar power more affordable and accessible for Virginians.

The signing ceremony was held at the Southern Environmental Law Center in downtown Charlottesville. The bills are part of Spanberger’s plan to cut costs in the Commonwealth.

“The bills that I’m signing represent a scope of priorities and legislation that is really going to continue to not just move Virginia in the right direction but demonstrate real leadership,” Spanberger said.

Charlottesville Democrat State Senator Creigh Deeds’s SB 598 was among those added to Virginia code.

“We have a better chance of producing not only reliable and affordable energy but cleaner energy,” Deeds said.

Most of the new laws will make solar energy more affordable and accessible. The changes take effect January 1.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said making solar more accessible has been a goal of his for nearly two decades. His bills signed by Spanberger will expand shared solar and make Virginia the second state to allow solar panels on balconies.

“I feel like the dam is really broken when it comes to solar energy and clean energy. We have a big backlog of need for energy in our grid,” Surovell said.

Democrats have been pushing for some of these changes for decades.

The energy bill signing comes while Democrats in Richmond remain at a standstill over a budget dispute involving data centers. Deeds said environmental concerns are present on his mind as state senators work on an agreement.

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