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
The Commission rejected Appalachian Power’s proposal, preserving Net Energy Metering for customer-owned solar
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Topics:
Utility,
Regulatory,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly,
Solar
Utility Dive reports that New York has launched its first-ever bulk energy storage solicitation, seeking proposals to procure 1 GW of utility-scale battery storage. United's Kristina Persaud commended New York's commitment to its clean energy goals amid federal rollbacks, while United's Shawn Kelly highlighted new opportunities for advanced energy projects to thrive in states and regions across the country.
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Topics:
United In The News,
Kristina Persaud,
Shawn Kelly,
Battery Storage
Virginia's State Corporation Commission conditionally approved Dominion Energy's proposed 15-year energy plan, but noted that it fails to address Virginia's statutory requirement for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. Canary Media spoke with United's Shawn Kelly, who stated that the proposal must support a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future by making use of proven advanced energy solutions, such as energy efficiency and battery storage.
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Topics:
Virginia,
United In The News,
Shawn Kelly
The State Corporation Commission released its order on Dominion Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
RICHMOND, VA — Today, the State Corporation Commission released its order on Dominion Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a long-term planning document that will guide billions in utility investments over the coming decades. The Commission found that the 2024 IRP is legally sufficient while noting that its order does not express approval of Dominion Energy’s future spending plans.
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Topics:
Regulatory,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly
Dominion Energy's recent plan to meet increased load growth ignores Virginia's 2045 mandate—established under the Virginia Clean Economy Act—to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity. United's Shawn Kelly spoke with Canary Media about the plan, noting that it limits the usage of proven, cost-effective advanced energy technologies (including wind, solar, demand response, and virtual power plants) to meet growing demand within the state.
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Topics:
Virginia,
United In The News,
Shawn Kelly
Study found with time-of-use rates households could cut bills and ease grid strain
BOSTON, MA — New research released today by Advanced Energy United finds that smarter electric rate design could significantly reduce energy bills for Massachusetts households that switch from gas furnace heating to clean electric heat pumps.
The report, prepared by Advanced Energy United and Demand Side Analytics, “Massachusetts Study on Time-Varying Rate Design to Enable Electrification,” found switching to “time-of-use” electric rates, where electricity costs less during off-peak hours when demand on the grid is low, can eliminate cost-barriers to electrification, and even save households money.
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Topics:
Regulatory,
Press Releases,
Sarah Steinberg,
Shawn Kelly,
Building Electrification
The Utility’s Proposal Falls Short on Clean Energy Goals, Puts Ratepayers At Risk
RICHMOND, VA – Today, Advanced Energy United filed the testimony of our expert witness in Dominion Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan highlighting the utility’s failure to properly include all advanced energy options in its electricity supply portfolio for the next 15 years.
“The technology exists today to serve all of Dominion’s forecasted load with clean energy resources and Dominion’s plan as filed not only misses the goals of the Virginia General Assembly’s landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act, the utility proposal is a failure for the ratepayers of Virginia who will be locked into fossil fuel plants subject to volatile natural gas prices for years to come,” said Shawn Kelly, United’s Director of Regulatory Policy for the Eastern States.
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Topics:
Regulatory,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly
In an opinion piece forThe Baltimore Sun, United's Shawn Kelly discusses the urgent need for Maryland to shift away from natural gas pipelines towards clean energy solutions to combat the utility rate spiral and align with the state's climate goals.
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Topics:
United In The News,
Maryland,
Shawn Kelly
