By Charles Paullin of UtilityDive
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D, has proposed a six-year rate freeze as part of a suite of conditions she says state regulators should impose if they approve a proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy that could create the largest regulated electric utility in the world.
Spanberger’s stance comes amid review of the $67 billion merger that has prompted intense pushback from other state officials and local communities.
“Any proposed merger involving Virginia’s primary state-regulated utility must benefit families, small businesses, and Virginia’s workforce — not just the shareholders of these multi-billion-dollar corporations,” Spanberger said in a statement Monday.
“That’s why I am calling for a six-year freeze to Virginians’ base residential electricity rates, a tripling of monthly bill credits for ratepayers, and additional commitments to lower energy costs and meet our long-term clean and homegrown energy goals if the State Corporation Commission is to approve this merger,” she added.
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