Senators pressed staff about cost-allocation and whether the State Corporation Commission or the legislature will decide whether TEN pilots are in the public interest; staff said those determinations would be part of SCC review and pilot regulatory design.

HB 1487 would create a pilot allowing local governments to contribute to the incremental cost of undergrounding high-voltage lines; Dominion and local governments expressed support for a negotiated draft but data center stakeholders cautioned about costs; the subcommittee reported the substitute 7–1.

Del. Simons' HB260 would extend prevailing-wage requirements to underground utility infrastructure work on public or regulated projects to boost safety and workforce development; labor and trade groups supported it while questions were raised about cost effects; reported to Appropriations with amendments.