With the onset of the "energy crisis" of 1973-1974, the nation and the Commonwealth entered a period in which adequate energy supplies were no longer assured. Demand for energy had reached dangerously high levels in that the nation was heavily dependent upon foreign energy sources. Critical examination of national and statewide energy policies was of paramount importance.

The General Assembly of Virginia Acted to meet the problem by creating the Commission to study the Energy Crisis pursuant to S.J.R. No. 128 in 1973.

In the course of their study, the Commission realized that the search for new and expanded sources of energy and the development and production of these sources was simply not keeping pace with the growing consumption. This mismatch in supply and demand and all its related problems threatened to be long term in duration. The energy problem warranted continued research and examination.

Therefore, the Commission, in addition to submitting legislation on conservation of existing energy supplies and development of new recovery means for existing natural resources, recommended in 1975 that the Commission's study be continued, that their name be changed to the Energy Study Commission and that their focus be shifted to the formulation of long-range energy objectives for the State of Virginia. The directives were set out in S.J.R. No. 97 as passed by the 1975 General Assembly.

The General Assembly realized that the nation and the Commonwealth faced long-term energy problems. Therefore, the Energy Commission study was continued. The directives were set out in H.J.R. No. 296 as passed by the 1977 General Assembly.