Lieutenant Governor Hashmi Brings Energy Costs Listening Tour to Richmond

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi hosted the third stop of her Energy Costs Listening Tour on September 9, drawing more than 250 Richmond residents and community members.

“The Tour is a series of community conversations across the Commonwealth examining rising energy costs and the proposed $67 billion takeover of Dominion Energy by NextEra, which would create the largest utility merger in U.S. history,” a statement from Hashmi’s office said.

The Richmond event brought together residents, advocacy groups, community organizations, elected officials, and energy experts to discuss the proposed acquisition and its potential impact on Virginia families. Hashmi was joined by Delegates Leslie Mehta, May Nivar, and Charlie Schmidt.

Mehta emphasized the importance of hearing directly from Virginians about rising energy costs and utility bills. Drawing on her experience as a consumer advocate, she discussed balancing corporate interests with the realities “facing families, seniors, and small businesses.” She stressed that no one should have to choose between paying an “electric bill and affording basic necessities.”

Nivar highlighted recent developments in Chesterfield and Goochland counties, including the proposed “900-acre data center, the substantial community response, and concerns surrounding the Valley Link transmission line.” She also examined the “broader corporate landscape in Virginia,” focusing on growing interest from companies seeking to establish or expand operations in the state and the need to consider the wider community implications of corporate development.

Schmidt raised concerns about the proposed acquisition and called for greater community involvement, arguing that efforts should focus on reducing monopoly power rather than expanding it.

Community members raised questions about “rising utility costs, regulatory accountability and safeguards, sustainable energy, grid reliability, the expanding data center industry, and outside corporate ownership.”

Representatives of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network also attended to hear residents’ concerns, document public comments, and help ensure that community perspectives are preserved and presented to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

“The Energy Costs Listening Tour builds on conversations that have taken place across the Commonwealth this summer and is part of Lt. Governor Hashmi’s Virginia’s Voices initiative,” the statement said.

On July 6, Hashmi sent a letter to the commission urging it to seek responses from Dominion Energy and NextEra to 64 detailed questions about the proposed acquisition. The letter followed an opinion article she wrote for the Richmond Times-Dispatch calling for a stronger review process and greater scrutiny of the proposal.

“Listening to people from across Virginia share what they’re going through really brings home how difficult these rising energy costs are for families. No one should have to choose between keeping the heat on, paying the electric bill, and putting food on the table. These are real people making impossible choices, and we have a responsibility to listen to them, understand what they’re facing, and work toward making energy more affordable,” Hashmi said.

The remaining Energy Costs Listening Tour stops are scheduled for September 14 at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in Charlottesville and September 24 at the Roanoke City Market Building. Both events will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Virginians seeking to participate directly in the commission’s proceedings may register as public witnesses through November 2. Public 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 will inform continuing discussions about Virginia’s energy future and emphasize the need for a transparent, rigorous, and accountable regulatory review process. 

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