Bill Text: VA HB547 | 2020 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Virginia Energy and Economy Transition Council; established, report.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-02 - Continued to 2021 in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) [HB547 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB547-Comm_Sub.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 67 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of a section numbered 67-1700, as follows:
§67-1700. Virginia Energy and Economy Transition Council; sunset.
A. The Virginia Energy and Economy Transition Council (the Council) is established as an advisory council in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Council is to develop plans and procedures to ensure that the Commonwealth is able to transition from the use of fossil fuel energy to renewable energy by 2050.
B. The Council shall have a total membership of 30 members that shall consist of 17 nonlegislative citizen members and 13 ex officio members. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed as follows: 10 members, of whom two shall be from the labor community, including at least one member from the coalfield region of Virginia as defined in §15.2-6002, and eight shall be from the environmental community, representing organizations that protect land, air, and water for community health, including at least one member from such coalfield region of Virginia, to be appointed by the Governor, and seven members to be appointed by the Governor upon consideration of the recommendations, if any, of the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power Company, Old Dominion Power Company or Kentucky Utilities Company, the Rural Jobs Council, the Virginia Small Business Development Council, and the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, if any. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Council shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce and Trade, and Natural Resources, the chairmen of the nine GO Virginia regions established pursuant to the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Act (§2.2-2484 et seq.), and the Chief Workforce Advisor to the Governor, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Ex officio members of the Council shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office.
Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed.
The Council shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the Council shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.
C. Members shall receive such compensation for the performance of their duties as provided in §2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (the Department).
The Department shall provide staff support to the Council. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Council, upon request.
D. The Council shall have the following powers and duties:
1. Analyze the challenges and incentives needed to transition Virginia's economy, workforce, and business community to a fossil fuel-free economy.
2. In direct coordination with community representatives, including local government representatives and other regional stakeholders, create a transition plan for each region of the Commonwealth whose economy and workers are dependent on the fossil fuel industry.
3. Submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports. The chairman shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Council no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
E. This section shall expire on July 1, 2023.
