FAST Act Introduced to Unlock Virginia’s Surplus Interconnection Potential

Written by Savannah Gribbins | Jan 15, 2026

New legislation would allow solar, wind, and battery storage systems to plug in at existing power generating facilities and tap their underused interconnection capacity

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia legislators have introduced the Facilitating Access to Surplus Transmission (FAST) Act, a bill designed to deliver new gigawatts (GW) to the grid by tapping into underused capacity at existing power plants.

Under updated PJM rules, Surplus Interconnection Services (SIS) allow new solar, wind, and battery storage systems to plug in at an existing power plant’s grid connections: unlocking faster, lower-cost clean energy by using capacity that’s already built, already studied, and sitting idle, instead of waiting in PJM’s interconnection queue. In simple terms: if a fossil fuel power plant is approved to deliver 100 megawatts (MW) to Virginia’s grid, but typically only uses 50 MW, SIS can put the unused 50 MW to work by adding new clean energy and storage resources. At scale, these services could deliver another 2,000 MW (2 GW) of electricity onto the grid, enough to power one million homes in the Commonwealth.

A recent GridLab analysis found that fossil plant sites nationally could host up to 800 GW of clean energy today, with another 200 GW possible by 2030 — representing a major opportunity for Virginia, where many coal and gas peaker plants fire up only for a few high-demand hours and otherwise sit largely unused.

"This past election, Virginians gave us a mandate in the General Assembly to build capacity in our energy system while ensuring their energy bills are more affordable. The cheapest energy is the energy we already have. This legislation — the Facilitating Access to Surplus Transmission Act, the FAST Act — would add energy capacity where it's already been approved and developed. Even better, it would store and use more reliable, clean energy in the place of fossil fuels while getting the energy onto the grid on a faster timeline," said Virginia Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg.

“For too long, Virginia has relied on slow, expensive pathways to meeting energy demand. The FAST Act offers a better option by putting existing grid capacity to work and delivering power sooner, at a lower cost,” said Virginia Delegate Phil Hernandez.

“The FAST Act is the kind of forward-looking policy Virginia needs right now,” said Jim Purekal, Virginia Director at Advanced Energy United. Surplus interconnection unlocks new clean gigawatts faster and at lower cost by putting existing transmission infrastructure and grid connections to work instead of waiting years for new fossil fuel upgrades and buildouts. The FAST Act is a deliberate path to lower utility bills, create a stronger grid, and new investment in Virginia’s communities— right now, not a decade from now.”

SIS provides multiple benefits for Virginia customers and communities, including:

More Affordable Energy Bills: By using grid connections that already exist, SIS can reduce the need for costly new gas plants, major transmission buildouts, and other upgrades- avoiding unnecessary spending that would otherwise show up on customers’ bills

Faster, Cheaper Clean Energy: SIS can bring new solar, wind and battery storage online in months, not years—much faster than expensive new gas plants facing multi-year supply chain delays. Pairing solar and wind with batteries also brings significant cost savings to utility companies and customers alike

Improved Reliability: Pairing clean energy with storage makes the grid more durable, delivers power when customer demand is highest, and reduces Virginia’s dependence on aging fossil fuel plants.

Virginia Energy Dominance: By opening existing power plant sites to new clean energy development, SIS keeps more energy development and the associated economic value—here in Virginia.

Community Benefits: Transitioning existing energy sites sustains local jobs, preserves local tax revenues, and supports long-term economic development while preventing stranded assets.

Reduced Land Impacts: SIS prioritize clean energy development at power plant sites already studied, approved, and built for power generation and transmission use, minimizing new land disturbance.

“With the FAST Act, Virginia decision-makers have a chance to lead the nation,” said Purekal. “By unlocking surplus interconnection, we can help meet soaring energy demand faster, and at the lowest cost by putting our existing infrastructure to work.”

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