Virginia governor vetoes bills that would have bolstered long-duration energy storage

On May 2, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed two bills that would have required Virginia utilities to invest in both short- and long-duration energy storage, as well as convene work groups and technology demonstrations to conduct research on such technologies.

Companion bills SB1394 and HB2537 would have required at least 780 MW of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2040 and 520 MW of long-duration capacity by 2045 for Appalachian Power, and 5,220 MW of short duration and 3,480 MW of long-duration by 2045 for Dominion Energy Virginia.

In his veto messages, Youngkin emphasized his free-market energy mindset and opposition to the Virginia Clean Economy Act, a law passed in 2020 establishing a mandatory RPS program for the state.

“The Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) is failing Virginians,” Youngkin wrote. “Adding in requirements for the petitioning of additional storage technologies will not change the fact that the law is misguided and does not work. Long-duration energy storage is an expensive technology and if utilities believed it to be the best technology to meet demand, they would be actively seeking permission to build them.”