UPDATE (Feb. 8, 2018): HB 1252 was recently passed unanimously by the House of Delegates. It will next cross over to the Senate, where it will be heard by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Senator Chafin sits on that committee, please consider reaching out to his office to express your support for this bill. The information below is still a helpful reference if you need additional background.

Senator Ben Chafin

Phone: (804) 698-7538 or email: district38@senate.virginia.gov

While Senator Carrico is not on the Commerce and Labor Committee, his district would benefit directly from this legislation. His contact information is:

Senator Charles W. Carrico, Sr.

Phone: (804) 698-7540 or email: district40@senate.virginia.gov

HB 1252 Background

Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore recently introduced HB 1252, legislation that makes it easier and more affordable for tax-exempt entities — which can’t make use of federal tax incentives — to install renewable energy like rooftop solar panels. This legislation would expand the existing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) pilot program, making all tax-exempt entities across the Commonwealth eligible to leverage the 30% Federal Investment Tax credit. HB 1252 would make many of the priority solar projects identified by the Solar Workgroup easier to develop, able to access key financial incentives, and grow jobs and economic development in Southwest Virginia.  This bill would not have been introduced without the efforts of the Solar Workgroup, and it’s important that Del. Kilgore hear from Workgroup participants to thank him and encourage his continued support for the bill.  See below for more background, and this PPA Fact Sheet for additional information.

Contact Del. Kilgore:

We’re asking working group participants to contact Del. Kilgore’s office to voice support for HB 1252. Please use the following two methods:

  1. CALL Del. Kilgore’s office at (804) 698-1001 — see below for suggested talking points
  2. SEND a letter of support by emailing DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov and cc Workgroup facilitator Christine Gyovai at christine@dialogueanddesign.com so that we can send copies of the letters to Commerce and Labor committee members. Editable sample letter.

One of the Solar Workgroup’s goals is improving Virginia’s Solar Policy. This bill is the direct result of Workgroup members’ recommendations to meet with legislators to discuss solar policy and its positive economic impacts for Southwest Virginia.

Suggested Talking Points:

  •        “Hello, I live in ____ am calling to express my support for HB 1252 which would extend the existing Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement Pilot Program to all tax-exempt entities in the Commonwealth. Thank you for your continued leadership on this bill.”
  •        “The passage of this bill would allow schools, hospitals, and government buildings to reduce their spending on utilities, access needed financial incentives, relieve the burden on the taxpayers, and invest more in the local economy.”
  •         “This bill would make common sense, cost saving investments, easier and more affordable for a number of groups in Southwest Virginia. Again, thank you for your continued leadership on this bill.”

Power Purchase Agreement bill background

In December of 2017, Workgroup members met with Delegate Kilgore, updating him on the progress and key goals of the Solar Workgroup and asking that he introduce the Power Purchase Agreement bill — part of the recommendations of the Solar Roadmap — in the General Assembly. This outreach approach was suggested by the Workgroup during meetings in the fall. HB 1252 was filed in early January 2018 by Delegate Kilgore, which would create much greater access to solar development for schools and non-profit organizations across Virginia. We are asking for your help with thanks and outreach to Delegate Kilgore in the coming week.