VA SB497

Establishes Commonwealth policy to prioritize existing linear infrastructure corridors, including utility and highway corridors, over new corridors when siting electric transmission facilities and high-voltage transmission lines

Requires prioritization of existing corridors to the extent feasible while maintaining consistency with economic and engineering considerations, grid reliability, and protection of cultural, historical, and environmental resources

Directs the Department of Transportation to convene a work group with the State Corporation Commission and Virginia Utility Coordinating Committee members to identify opportunities for siting transmission infrastructure in state highway rights-of-way

Work group must develop recommendations to amend regulations and permitting processes to facilitate expedient siting of electrical transmission infrastructure in existing highway corridors

Report of findings and recommendations due to the House Committees on Labor and Commerce and Transportation and Senate Committees on Commerce and Labor and Transportation by November 1, 2026