In light of strong opposition from Virginia counties, a subcommittee of House Counties, Cities and Towns voted to carry over to the 2025 legislation session, SB 697 (VanValkenburg). At the request of the chair of the full committee, the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation will review the bill.
The legislation mandates that any local ordinance adopted pursuant § 15.2-2288.7 of the Code of Virginia (local regulation of solar facilities) shall not “… include limits on the total amount, density, or size of any ground mounted solar facility or energy facility unless the total panel area exceeds 4% of the total area within the county.”
VACo Members – Thank you for your advocacy.
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP