Virginia Utility Cos. Tell State Officials Methane Regs Not Needed

Last year the Virginia legislature passed House Bill (HB) 558 (Senate Bill 565), which expands the definition of energy efficiency and conservation programs in Virginia. Among the provisions in the bill are enhanced leak detection and repair programs for natural gas utilities. Utilities can, among other things, build new infrastructure to capture methane from animal poop and landfills, with the right to pass along the cost to ratepayers (a provision that really rubbed the left wrong). However, it is the following provision in the bill that is now being hotly debated in the state: "The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality to convene a stakeholder work group to determine the feasibility of setting a statewide methane reduction goal and plan." In other words, craft new state regulations to control methane.

---

To view this content, log into your member account. (Not a member? Join Today!)