Council votes to intervene in Dominion-NextEra merger review
The Richmond City Council has approved the city’s formal intervention in the state-level regulatory review of the pending utility merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy.
It took two special meetings to execute the vote after an earlier attempt failed Tuesday due to several members being absent and others abstaining from what they saw as a rushed vote. But the measure passed 5-0 Thursday afternoon, even with four members not present for the hastily called session.
“This is being brought forward because of our city’s absolute, unequivocal interest in the outcome of this proceeding,” said Council President Cynthia Newbille (7th District).
The ultimate decision on whether the merger goes through is up to the State Corporation Commission, which regulates electric utilities. Richmond’s status as an intervenor will allow the city to formally participate in the process and advocate for its interests as both an electricity buyer and home to many Dominion customers and employees.
“When people speak up, you can have an impact,” said Council Vice President Katherine Jordan (2nd District). “And I think that’s what we are hoping for here.”
Jordan said she recently heard from an employee of Dominion, which is headquartered in downtown Richmond, who was “deeply worried” about their future.
Several other local governments have also moved to intervene in the SCC process, as have major corporations, environmental groups and Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
The positions Richmond might take on the merger are not yet clear.
Councilor Kenya Gibson (3rd District) expressed her own view Thursday, saying the merger raises major affordability concerns and “has the potential to be a disaster for the average Virginian.”
“I do not think it’s enough to want to intervene, personally,” Gibson said. “I think the governor and the SCC should fully stop this merger from happening.”
Gibson had abstained from Tuesday’s vote. On Thursday, she said she wished the full body could have been present, but was thankful that the slight delay had “provided the public with notice so they have an opportunity to participate.”
Ned Oliver
The four members not present for Thursday’s meeting, which was just scheduled Tuesday evening, were Councilors Reva Trammell (8th District), Ellen Robertson (6th District), Sarah Abubaker (4th District) and Stephanie Lynch (5th District).
The Council was under pressure to act quickly. The SCC had set a Friday deadline for outside parties to intervene in the proceedings.
Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org
