If our elected leaders want to deliver on cutting costs for Virginians and centering affordability, they need to keep the Commonwealth on the path to an affordable, reliably clean energy future.
We certainly have an energy problem, and an energy funding problem, but part of this essay isn't quite right. Dominion Energy is a (monopoly) utility company, subject to Virginia law regarding public service corporations. As such, its profits are highly regulated. Just in November, the SCC reduced Dominion's proposed profit of a 10.4% return on equity in its latest rate plan to a maximum 9.8%.
The connection between utility monopolies and affordability is something more people need to understand. When I look at the numbers - $1 billion in profits while families are choosing between heating and groceries - it really puts the issue in perspective. The point about renewable infrastructure sitting idle while we still pay for it is particularly frustrating. Seems like we need more transparency in how these rate increases are structured and justified.
Of course, Pres. Biden's energy policies that sent costs soaring, had nothing to do with Virginia's higher rates. And the offshore wind turbines cost being tacked onto the bills is just creative financing. Wait until the bill comes for the maintenance on those windmills and then the bill for disposing of them in 20 years, if they last that long. Curious how the author doesn't hold Germany's windmills up as an example of success. They had to go back to coal.
Methane is cheap and renewable. The article's author is either ignorant or purposely spreading propaganda.
We certainly have an energy problem, and an energy funding problem, but part of this essay isn't quite right. Dominion Energy is a (monopoly) utility company, subject to Virginia law regarding public service corporations. As such, its profits are highly regulated. Just in November, the SCC reduced Dominion's proposed profit of a 10.4% return on equity in its latest rate plan to a maximum 9.8%.
The connection between utility monopolies and affordability is something more people need to understand. When I look at the numbers - $1 billion in profits while families are choosing between heating and groceries - it really puts the issue in perspective. The point about renewable infrastructure sitting idle while we still pay for it is particularly frustrating. Seems like we need more transparency in how these rate increases are structured and justified.
Of course, Pres. Biden's energy policies that sent costs soaring, had nothing to do with Virginia's higher rates. And the offshore wind turbines cost being tacked onto the bills is just creative financing. Wait until the bill comes for the maintenance on those windmills and then the bill for disposing of them in 20 years, if they last that long. Curious how the author doesn't hold Germany's windmills up as an example of success. They had to go back to coal.
Methane is cheap and renewable. The article's author is either ignorant or purposely spreading propaganda.