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 Dallas Morning News reports that several municipalities across Dallas-Fort Worth voted to oppose Oncor's energy rate increase request. Matthew Boms of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) spoke about the organization's recent study, which found maximizing the usage of distributed energy resources (DERs) would lower electricity costs and strengthen grid reliability.
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Topics:
Utility,
Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance,
Texas,
Matthew Boms
With five commissioners set to serve, PURA will operate at an expanded capacity
HARTFORD, CT –
Today, Advanced Energy United congratulates Gov. Ned Lamont on his nominations of Janice Beecher, Holly Cheeseman, Everett Smith, and Thomas Wiehl to serve as commissioners of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and applauded his decision to designate Wiehl as chairperson.
“Governor Lamont’s nominees bring a strong mix of regulatory, consumer, and industry experience to PURA at a pivotal moment for Connecticut’s energy future,” said
Advanced Energy United Connecticut Policy Lead Kat Burnham.
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Topics:
Utility,
Regulatory,
Press Releases,
Kat Burnham
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
Cape May County Herald reports on New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's recently signed legislation, which ensures state utilities disclose their votes on issues and proposals as members of PJM Interconnection. United’s Katie Mettle commended the Governor’s actions, stating that the new law will bring greater transparency to PJM and allows the public to hold utilities accountable.
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Topics:
Utility,
United In The News,
Transmission,
New Jersey,
Interconnection,
Katie Mettle
The Garden State becomes latest to hold utilities accountable for decisions at PJM
TRENTON, NJ – Today, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation to shine a light on how New Jersey’s utilities vote at PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator serving the state. The new law, passed with broad bipartisan support, ensures state officials and the public have access to key information about utilities’ positions on decisions that directly affect electric rates and clean energy progress by requiring New Jersey utilities to report how they vote on matters before PJM, and to explain how those votes align with state policy.
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Topics:
Utility,
Wholesale Markets,
Press Releases,
New Jersey,
Katie Mettle
With increasing data-center buildout, utilities are making massive natural gas investments in southeastern Wisconsin, raising objections from customer and climate advocates. Canary Media discusses Wisconsin Electric Power Co.'s request for new gas plants with advanced energy experts, including United's Emma Heins, who explains why the utility should explore clean energy solutions to meet growing energy demand.
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Topics:
Utility,
United In The News,
Wisconsin,
Emma Heins
Advanced Energy United applauds the Illinois House for passing House Bill 3650 to help homeowners, renters, and building owners lower their energy bills and make improvements to their properties.
Illinoisans will benefit greatly from the bill, which would create a State Navigator Program to link them with already-available programs that could lower the cost of their utility bills or reduce the price of making energy efficiency improvements to their properties.
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Topics:
Utility,
Press Releases,
Energy Efficiency,
Illinois,
Samarth Medakkar
Utility Dive compared reforms for utility performance, quoting AEE's Ryan Katofsky on how Hawaii's low-cost reforms are improving service. Read snippets below and the full article here.
Many states are working on regulatory reforms focused on utility performance, but some compromise approaches may be self-defeating, performance-based regulation, or PBR, consultants said.
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Topics:
Utility,
Regulatory,
United In The News,
Ryan Katofsky
