The Energy Study Commission was established pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 128 of 1973. Senate Joint Resolution No. 97 of 1975 continued the Commission and increased its membership from eleven to fourteen.

The eleven members of the present Commission who have served since 1973 are: Senator George F. Barnes, Tazewell, Chairman; Delegate C. D. Dunford, Tazewell, Vice-Chairman; Senator Leslie D. Campbell, Jr., Ashland; Claiborne D. Gregory, Doswell, (State at large); Senator William B. Hopkins, Roanoke; Delegate George W. Jones, Bon Air; Delegate Glenn B. McClanan, Virginia Beach; Delegate John L. Melnick, Arlington; Delegate Lewis W. Parker, Jr., South Hill; Stanley Ragone, Richmond, (Industry); and Eugene M. Scheel, Waterford, (Environmental).

The three new members who were appointed to the Commission by the Governor in 1975 are: Honorable W. S. Kerr, Appomattox, (Rural local government); Honorable Frank R. Pancake, Staunton, (Urban local government);and Frank T. Sutton, III, Richmond, (State at large).