Decision by State Corporation Commission (SCC) to grant Dominion Energy a certificate for the Chesterfield gas-fired peaker plant is a step backward
RICHMOND, VA – The State Corporation Commission has approved Dominion Energy’s proposed Chesterfield peaker plant without conditions, advancing a project that will increase long-term costs for Virginia customers despite readily available, lower-cost alternatives that strengthen grid reliability.
“Virginians need low-cost energy, but this approval allows Dominion to move forward with one of the most expensive options on the table,” said
Shawn Kelly, Regulatory Director at Advanced Energy United
. “Utilities across the country are using proven tools like battery storage, demand flexibility, and modern grid management to meet peak needs at lower cost. This approval embraces
none
of these lower cost options.”
The Chesterfield project requires major upfront capital investment and decades of fuel and maintenance spending. Analyses presented in the proceeding showed that advanced energy technologies—already being deployed at scale in other states—can deliver peak capacity more affordably, reduce exposure to price volatility, and make better use of existing grid infrastructure.
“Approving a high-cost resource without fully evaluating commercially available alternatives shifts unnecessary risk onto ratepayers,”
added
Kelly
.
“Virginia needs planning decisions that maximize existing grid capacity, accelerate lower-cost technologies, and keep customer bills in check.”
Advanced Energy United, the national business association representing many of the leading solar, wind, storage, demand and distributed energy companies,
called on the SCC
in expert testimony to reject plans to build the new, expensive gas plant.
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Topics:
Utility,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly,
Integrated Resource Planning
Utility Dive reports that PJM stakeholders failed to reach consensus on a set of proposals to govern how large loads, such as data centers, connect to the grid. In a bulletin on the meeting, United’s Jon Gordon said the vote highlights the difficulty of balancing resource adequacy, ratepayer costs, and rapid data center growth in a region already facing generation shortfalls and long timelines for new capacity.
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Topics:
Utility,
United In The News,
FERC,
Transmission,
Jon Gordon,
Interconnection
The Center Square reports on the election outcomes in New Jersey and Virginia, where Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger won their gubernatorial races. United's Virginia Director Jim Purekal and New Jersey Policy Lead Katie Mettle highlighted the future governors' focus on lowering energy prices through clean energy as a key component of their victories.
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Topics:
State Policy,
Virginia,
United In The News,
Heather O'Neill,
New Jersey,
Jim Purekal,
Solar,
Battery Storage,
Interconnection,
Katie Mettle
In an episode of NewsData's People in Power Podcast, United's Brian Turner discusses the recent passage of California Assembly Bill (AB) 825, and the path forward for an independently governed energy market in the West.
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Topics:
United In The News,
Western RTO,
California,
Brian Turner
PV Magazine reports on the election results from Virginia and New Jersey, with a specific focus on unlocking new clean energy opportunities by making better use of existing interconnection capacity. United’s Virginia Director Jim Purekal emphasized that Virginia must make the most of existing energy resources to meet rising load growth, while United’s New Jersey Policy Lead Katie Mettle highlighted the need for siting and permitting reforms to get more projects online faster.
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Topics:
State Policy,
Virginia,
United In The News,
New Jersey,
Jim Purekal,
Solar,
Battery Storage,
Interconnection,
Katie Mettle
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission decision on the Just Transition Solicitation moves the state closer to a carbon-free future, sequencing critical energy and transmission projects that will keep costs affordable for ratepayers.
Denver, CO—The Colorado Public Utilities Commission decision on the Just Transition Solicitation (JTS) reflects smart, forward-looking policy that puts affordability at the center of Colorado’s energy planning.
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Topics:
Press Releases,
Brian Turner,
Colorado
Advanced Energy United congratulates the Governors-Elect of New Jersey and Virginia
WASHINGTON, DC – In a clear signal to policymakers nationwide, voters in Virginia and New Jersey have elected governors who ran on clean energy solutions to tackle rising costs and strengthen grid reliability. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill both centered energy affordability, reliability, and readily available clean energy solutions in their campaigns, and won.
“The results of both Governors races reflect that leaders who embrace clean energy as a path to lower bills, reliable power, and economic growth are being rewarded at the ballot box,” said
Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at Advanced Energy United
, an industry association representing many of the leading solar, wind, storage, demand, and distributed energy companies. “These elections send a clear message to every statehouse in America: clean energy wins.”
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Topics:
Virginia,
Press Releases,
New Jersey
