Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB256: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 45.2-1735, relating to appliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities and home appliances; Department of Energy.
Status: Chaptered, April 22, 2026
Minimum energy and water conservation standards; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities and home appliances; Department of Energy; prohibited practices; penalty. Provides that if any product or product categories under the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (the EPCA) are removed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy or the federal government, the Department of Energy shall adopt energy or water conservation standards that shall be equivalent to the last applicable federal standards with a product compliance date of on or before December 31, 2025. The bill prohibits any such new products from being sold, offered for sale, leased, or rented in the Commonwealth unless such products meet or exceed such standards. The bill excludes any energy or water conservation standards set aside by a court or any product if federal law preempts the application of the minimum energy and water conservation standards to such a product, including any product or product categories where there is a requirement to develop a standard under the EPCA. This bill is identical to HB 672.
What the bill says
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 45.2-1735, relating to appliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities and home appliances; Department of Energy. [S 256] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 45.2-1735, as follows: Article 10. Appliance Energy and Water Conservation Standards. § 45.2-1735. Minimum energy and wate.
From the enrolled text, April 22, 2026:
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 45.2-1735, relating to appliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities and home appliances; Department of Energy. [S 256] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 45.2-1735, as follows: Article 10. Appliance Energy and Water Conservation Standards. § 45.2-1735. Minimum energy and water conservation standards for certain products. A. If any product or product categories under 10 C.F.R. Parts 430 and 431 of the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (P.L. 94-163), as amended, are removed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy or the federal government, the Department shall adopt energy or water conservation standards that shall be equivalent to the last applicable federal standards with a product compliance date of on or before December 31, 2025. No such new products may be sold or offered for sale, lease, or rent in the Commonwealth unless such products meet or exceed such standards. B. In the event the Department adopts energy or water conservation standards pursuant to subsection A, it shall require a manufacturer that produces a …