Virginia House approves energy plan bill in 74-21 vote

Washington (Platts)--9Mar2006

Virginia's House of Delegates on Wednesday evening voted 74 to 21 to
approve S.B. 262, a bill that will make it easier to develop new nuclear
plants and wind farms in the state.

     The measure, which previously won state Senate approval in a 31-6 vote,
calls for the development of a state energy plan, for the State Corporation
Commission to develop numerical "scoring systems" to identify optimal sites
for nuclear plants, wind farms and liquefied natural gas facilities, and for
state siting boards to provide "one-stop permitting" for such projects.

     S.B. 262 also includes an 0.85 cents/kWh grant or tax credit for wind
power production and directs state officials to push for federal executive
action and federal legislation that would give Virginia "exclusive
jurisdiction" over the development of offshore wind farms.

     After a quick return to the state senate to approve minor amendments to
the bill, S.B. 262 will go to Governor Tim Kaine. The governor, a Democrat,
has not indicated whether he will sign the measure or seek further changes.

               ---Housley Carr, newsdesk@platts.com

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