Virginia's Commission on Electric Utility Regulation has recently reconvened after a six-year hiatus, in accordance with new legislation mandating biannual meetings. The commission, which deals with the complex aspects of electric utility regulation, has elected Senator Scott Surovell as its chair. Despite facing challenges such as limited budget allocation, the commission aims to hire an executive director and staff to assist in tasks such as assessing ratepayer impacts and reviewing utility planning documents during the upcoming legislative session.
The commission's primary responsibility is to assess the effects of lengthy and intricate legislation related to electric utility regulation. This includes aspects such as electric generation and utility profit margins. The revival of the commission has gained support from lawmakers who find it difficult to address these complexities within the state's short legislative sessions.
Senator Scott Surovell, the newly elected chair of the commission, expressed hope for more frequent meetings. He also joked about meeting more frequently than the cicada cycle. However, due to budget constraints, the commission is only allocated $345,000 for staffing, despite requesting approximately $1 million to fill all positions. The commission is set to hire an executive director, an attorney, and an analyst, with the hiring process estimated to take four to six weeks.
During the upcoming legislative session, the commission will play a crucial role in generating ratepayer impact statements for bills. They will also be responsible for reviewing legislation referred by committees, investigating grant funding possibilities, and scrutinizing utilities' long-term planning documents. The commission's next scheduled meeting is set for the initial week of December.
In Virginia, utility regulation is primarily overseen by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). However, the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation (CEUR), established in 2008 and composed of lawmakers, specifically monitors how the SCC enforces laws pertaining to Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company. This dual regulatory structure allows for legislative oversight and guidance in the implementation of utility regulations within the state.
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