Governor Abigail Spanberger announced her unprecedented decision to formally intervene in the proposed $67 billion merger between Florida-based NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, marking the first time a Virginia governor has taken such action before the State Corporation Commission (SCC). This move signals her intent to ensure the deal benefits Virginia families and businesses, rather than just the corporations involved.
In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Governor Spanberger outlined three non-negotiable priorities guiding her involvement: delivering more affordable energy bills for Virginia families and small businesses, protecting the state's utility workforce, and accelerating progress toward affordable, reliable, local, and clean power. She expressed deep skepticism about an out-of-state company acquiring Virginia's primary utility.
Governor Spanberger highlighted her administration's efforts to lower energy costs, including signing over a dozen laws and implementing a first-of-its-kind statewide consumption tax on data centers. She also noted the SCC's recent order, following her urging, for data centers to cover the cost of transmission infrastructure built exclusively for their facilities.
Explaining her intervention, Governor Spanberger said, "For a Deal This Consequential, I Will Not Watch from the Sidelines." She clarified that this action grants her administration the legal right to engage, raise concerns, request detailed information, and ensure Virginians receive long-term, tangible benefits from any potential agreement, aligning with the SCC's mandate to balance stakeholder interests.