August 31, 2026
Contact: Deb Freeman [email protected], 757-452-1143; Faith Kallman, [email protected], 804-351-5265
New Virginia Majority and Virginia Poverty Law Center Intervene in NextEra Energy/Dominion Energy Merger
NVM and VPLC are deeply committed to ensuring all Virginians can afford to pay for energy to heat and cool their homes, and both organizations are formally intervening in the case before the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to review the NextEra Energy proposal to absorb Dominion Energy to become the energy provider for much of Virginia.
Both organizations have concerns that ratepayers will ultimately bear the costs of increased personnel, projects, executive compensation and profits. Consumers deserve affordable bills, flexible repayment plans, effective customer service, and great utility accountability.
Rate hikes disproportionately affect communities of color and lower income families, and essential utility services should prioritize affordability and customer needs rather than shareholder returns, especially when many households are struggling with rising costs. Additionally, larger utility monopolies primarily benefit investors while costs are increased for ratepayers who do not have an alternative in choosing who supplies their power.
“We are concerned this merger would disproportionately affect communities of color across the commonwealth, leaving our neighbors to pay more for basic necessities while NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy shareholders financially benefit. Ensuring affordability for all Virginians needs to be the central focus and consideration,” said Tram Nguyen, NVM co-executive director.
"At VPLC, we believe the goal of utility regulation is straightforward: to ensure Virginians receive safe, reliable, and affordable service at a fair cost. Our advocacy has focused on creating a balanced regulatory framework that protects consumers while supporting the infrastructure needed to keep the lights on," said Jay Speer, VPLC executive director.
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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable.
The Virginia Poverty Law Center is the statewide legal advocacy organization working to break down systemic barriers that keep low-income Virginians in poverty through advocacy, education, and litigation.