Dems promote energy storage to reduce energy bills, Republicans remain skeptical

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — With the General Assembly session set to begin in just one week, Virginia Democrats said they have a way to lower Virginians' electric bills. 

At a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 7, Del. Rip Sullivan (D-Fairfax) and Sen. Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico) announced they plan to introduce a bill during this year’s General Assembly session that would require Virginia’s power companies to increase the amount of energy they can store, typically in batteries. 

“States like Illinois, which is touting its increase in energy storage, will decrease their residents’ rates by more than $20/month in the next decade,” Sullivan said. 

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Sullivan and Democrats said capturing and storing energy produced during off-peak, less expensive times that otherwise would have been wasted for use during more expensive, high-demand times could bring down costs for Virginia families. 

“Energy storage stores energy when it’s cheapest and holds it so it can be used during peak times when it’s most expensive,” Sullivan said. 

However, Republicans said the cost of battery storage systems, which the power companies will pass on to ratepayers in the form of a rider, will negate any potential cost savings. 

“Riders cost money. Riders are those things that you see on your electric bill down there on the bottom, and it’ll add costs to your bill,” Del. Terry Kilgore (R-Scott), who serves as House minority leader, told 8News. 

Similar measures passed the General Assembly in 2025 before being vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.