SCC Seeks Comments on Utility Opportunities Under IIJA

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) directed investor-owned electric utilities and electric cooperatives to address federal grant opportunities in Virginia’s utility infrastructure under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for the benefit of customers. The Commission also invited other interested parties to file comments. The IIJA creates a program of federal financial assistance to promote electric utility investments in advanced generation, transmission, and distribution technologies.

The IIJA provides grants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and other fueling infrastructures, as well as grid hardening activities to reduce the occurrence of – or consequences of – events that disrupt operations of the electric grid due to extreme weather, wildfire, or natural disasters.

The IIJA also establishes loans under a transmission facilitation program; additional funding for the Smart Grid Investment Matching Grant Program; incentive payments to qualifying hydroelectric facilities; financial assistance for a demonstration project for pumped storage hydropower for intermittent renewable energy; additional funding for various demonstration and pilot projects; and programs to develop carbon capture technology to improve environmental performance of coal and natural gas use.

The public must submit written comments by February 2, 2023. Written comments may be submitted through the SCC’s website at scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Simply go to the SCC website, select "Cases" and then "Submit Public Comments," and scroll down to case number PUR-2022-00180. Then click SUBMIT COMMENTS.

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Contact: Ford Carson, 804-371-9141

Case Number: PUR-2022-00180