2026 Virginia Energy Regulation 101 Workshop

Description

Virginians for Energy Diversity and Clean Virginia invite you to attend the Virginia Energy Regulation 101 Workshop, an informative session held the day before the annual Virginia Energy Summit to provide stakeholders, legislators, regulators, and executive branch leaders and their staff with a comprehensive overview of Virginia’s energy regulatory framework.

Workshop Topics

• Role of Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC): Regulating Public Electric Utility Prices, Reliability, Security, Fuel, Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Return on Equity (profit)
• Role of Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC): Regulating Natural Gas Infrastructure, Supplies, and Prices
• Role of SCC, PJM, FERC, and NERC
• Status Report on Virginia Clean Economy Act Implementation: Costs, Benefits, and Challenges

Featured Speakers

Introduction: The Honorable Sam Towell, SCC Commissioner, Chair (Invited)

Moderator: Howard Spinner, Manager - Regulatory Affairs, NOVEC

Panelists (invited)

• David Essah, Director - Public Utility Regulation (PUR), Virginia SCC
• Allison Samuel, Deputy Director - PUR, Virginia SCC
• Cliona Robb, Director, Thompson & McMullan LLC
• Will Cleveland, Principal, Lighthouse Policy & Law, PLC
• Arlen Bolstad, Deputy General Counsel for Utility, Virginia SCC
• Kim Pate, Director - Utility Accounting and Finance, Virginia SCC

Attendees will learn about the jurisdiction and role of the Virginia SCC.  Attendees will discuss the tension among economic stakeholders and explore the unique aspects of Virginia’s regulated electric utility market and competitive natural gas market. 

To support this effort, energy regulators and legal professionals have been assembled to give legislators and leaders a clear understanding of how energy regulation works in the Commonwealth. This workshop will be especially beneficial for new General Assembly members seeking to gain a deeper understanding of this complex policy area.