SB1116: Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority; definitions, powers and duties.

Legislative Summary

Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority; powers and duties; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality; report. Provides that the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority (the Authority) has the power and duty to (i) support energy development projects, including pump storage hydropower, energy storage, hydrogen production and uses, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, and advanced wind and solar energy; (ii) promote energy development projects on closed power plant sites, brownfield sites, former coal mine sites, reclaimed coal mine sites, abandoned mine sites lands, and lands adjacent thereto; (iii) promote energy workforce development and energy supply chain development; (iv) identify and work with, through mutually agreed collaborations, the Commonwealth’s research and development partners, in advancing efforts related to energy development in Southwest Virginia; and (v) promote the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane from active, inactive, and abandoned coal mines as a low-carbon intensity feedstock for manufacturing and energy generation projects located in Southwest Virginia. Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority; powers and duties; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality; report. Provides that the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority (the Authority) has the power and duty to (i) support energy development projects, including pump storage hydropower, energy storage, hydrogen production and uses, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, and advanced wind and solar energy; (ii) promote energy development projects on closed power plant sites, brownfield sites, former coal mine sites, reclaimed coal mine sites, abandoned mine sites lands, and lands adjacent thereto; (iii) promote energy workforce development and energy supply chain development; (iv) identify and work with, through mutually agreed collaborations, the Commonwealth’s research and development partners, in advancing efforts related to energy development in Southwest Virginia; and (v) promote the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane from active, inactive, and abandoned coal mines as a low-carbon intensity feedstock for manufacturing and energy generation projects located in Southwest Virginia. The bill defines "energy development project" as any activity that generates, produces, or stores energy, any energy efficiency system, and any supporting ancillary activities located within Southwest Virginia and includes interests in land, improvements, and ancillary facilities and research, development, commercialization, and deployment activities designated by the Authority to the nonprofit collaborative. The bill defines "nonprofit collaborative" as a multi-site nonprofit innovative energy technology testbed established as a collaborative effort of the Department of Energy, the Authority, and the Authority's business partners to support the Authority’s purpose through energy technology research, development, commercialization, and deployment.