Regulators pause approval of Dominion gas plant
Virginia regulators have paused their approval of Dominion Energy’s proposed 944-megawatt natural gas plant in Chesterfield County. The decision follows a petition from environmental and community groups challenging the project’s compliance with state laws.
The State Corporation Commission initially approved the gas plant on 25 November, allowing Dominion to recover costs through a rate adjustment clause. However, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a reconsideration request on behalf of campaigners, arguing the approval did not fully assess health impacts or justify the need for new fossil fuel infrastructure.
The petition also claims the commission failed to comply with Virginia’s Clean Economy Act and Environmental Justice Act. It questions whether Dominion proved the project’s necessity and whether its costs for customers were reasonable. In response, the commission issued a reconsideration order, suspending the original approval while it reviews the concerns. The order does not specify a timeline for a final decision. Chesterfield County had previously supported the plant’s approval, but the legal challenge has now put the project on hold.
The pause means the gas plant’s future remains uncertain for now. Regulators will examine whether the project aligns with state environmental laws and whether its costs are justified for ratepayers. A final ruling will come only after further review.
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