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Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi hosted the fourth stop of her Energy Costs Listening Tour in Charlottesville on September 14, bringing together more than 200 residents, advocates, community organizations, elected officials and energy experts.
The community discussion focused on rising energy costs and NextEra Energy’s proposed $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, a transaction that would create the largest utility merger in U.S. history.
The event gave community members an opportunity to raise concerns about rising utility bills and ask questions about the “proposed merger, utility regulation, grid reliability, sustainable energy, the expanding data center industry, and the future of Virginia’s energy system,” according to a statement from Hashmi’s office.
Hashmi was joined by state Sen. Creigh Deeds and Delegates Katrina Callsen and Amy Laufer for a discussion about the effect of energy costs on Virginia families and the importance of public participation in decisions that could shape the commonwealth’s energy future for decades.
Community members raised concerns about electricity affordability, regulatory accountability, the potential effects of the proposed acquisition and the need for greater transparency and consumer protections. Residents also discussed broader pressures on Virginia’s electric system, including rapid data center development and the infrastructure required to meet growing electricity demand.
Kajsa Foskey, policy advocate and director of the Virginia Energy Consumer Alliance, emphasized the importance of placing consumers at the center of the state’s energy policy decisions.
“Virginia families have been on the losing end of an energy system that puts utility profits ahead of the people paying the bills for too long. Dominion’s residential bills have risen roughly 20% in just one year, and NextEra’s takeover threatens to deepen that affordability crisis,” Foskey said. “Temporary bill credits cannot justify handing corporations more economic and political power while Virginians bear the consequences for decades to come. We deserve a meaningful say in decisions that affect our bills, health, and communities, and our leaders must demand that Virginians’ needs are put first.”
Representatives of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network also attended the event to hear residents’ concerns, document public comments and help bring community perspectives before the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
“Every stop on this tour reinforces why Virginians need a meaningful voice in decisions about the future of our energy system,” Hashmi said. “People are feeling the pressure of rising energy costs in their household budgets, and they deserve to know that their concerns are being heard. The SCC’s review of this proposed takeover must not be rushed and must be conducted in a manner that is transparent, rigorous, and focused on protecting Virginia consumers.”
The Energy Costs Listening Tour builds on conversations held across the commonwealth this summer and is part of Hashmi’s Virginia’s Voices initiative.
On July 6, Hashmi sent a letter to the SCC urging the agency to seek answers from Dominion Energy and NextEra to 64 detailed questions about the proposed acquisition. The letter followed an earlier Richmond Times-Dispatch opinion piece in which she called for a stronger review process and greater scrutiny of the transaction.
The tour’s final stop is scheduled for September 24 in Roanoke from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Virginians who want to participate directly in the SCC proceedings may register as public witnesses through November 2. Public witness testimony is scheduled for November 5, 9 and 10. Written comments will be accepted through November 9, ahead of the evidentiary hearing beginning November 17, according to Hashmi’s office.
Public input collected during the tour is expected to inform continuing discussions about Virginia’s energy future and the regulatory review of the proposed acquisition.
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