Fairfax, VA – Virginia regulators prepare for November evidentiary hearing as questions surrounding electricity rates, data centers and consumer protections remain unresolved.
A proposed $67 billion merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy drew residents, elected officials, business representatives and energy advocates to the Fairfax County Government Center on October 9, as Virginia regulators gathered public testimony on a transaction that could reshape the state’s electricity industry.
At a rally before the hearing, the Stop NextEra Coalition argued that the merger is driven by control over AI data center connections. With 70,000 megawatts in data center requests pending with Dominion, the coalition warned that an out-of-state entity like NextEra could dictate grid access and dismantle Virginia’s ratepayer protections.
The hearing, conducted by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), focused on electricity affordability, growing energy demands from data centers, environmental commitments and consumer protections.
“My electric bill for a 600 square feet has gone up to $200,” commented City of Fairfax resident Amini Bonane as she walked through the front doors of the government center to testify.
If approved, the merger would create the world’s largest regulated electric utility, serving approximately 10 million customers across Virginia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Dominion’s Virginia operations would retain their existing name.
Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who had previously urged the SCC to hold regional public hearings, testified against the merger, outlining five concerns: electricity affordability, climate commitments, grid reliability, economic growth and local accountability.
Alcorn emphasized that rising electricity costs are placing additional pressure on households and businesses. He also cited recurring power outages along Lawyers Road, Fox Mill Road and Hunter Mill Road, and stressed the importance of maintaining infrastructure investments to support development in Reston, Tysons and surrounding communities.
He questioned whether a Florida-based parent company would maintain Dominion’s working relationships with local officials, citing cooperation on vegetation management along the W&OD Trail, streetlight maintenance and Reston’s RELAC air-conditioning transition.
“My fear is that the merger may make things worse, maybe much worse,” Alcorn said. “For all these reasons, I oppose this merger.”
Del. Irene Shin, D-Herndon, raised questions about NextEra’s commitment to Virginia’s clean energy requirements. Del. Shin also expressed opposition, questioning NextEra’s commitment to Virginia’s clean energy requirements and raising concerns about the company’s political activities in Florida.
Cindy Shao, President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the transaction, emphasizing the importance of reliable electricity for small businesses, entrepreneurs and economic development.
Bruce Pete, who described having nearly 30 years of experience in energy policy and infrastructure development, including work with Dominion, also supported the merger. He emphasized that Virginia regulators would retain authority over utility rates and major infrastructure projects.
Supporters argued that combining Dominion’s and NextEra’s financial resources, technical expertise and infrastructure capabilities could strengthen Virginia’s electrical grid and help meet growing demand.
Community leader Tyler Ray, founder of the Save Bren Mar Coalition focused his testimony on a proposed electrical substation associated with data center development near residential properties.
Ray described a proposed five-acre substation at the Plaza 500 site, which he said would be located approximately 67 feet from nearby homes. According to Ray, community members requested that Dominion move the facility farther from residences, but the company rejected alternative locations because of financial considerations.
Ray also alleged that Dominion had not been sufficiently transparent about the project’s relationship to data center development. Save Bren Mar Coalition is trying to raise $3,000 in FOIA fees to get documents from Fairfax County between a member of the Board of Supervisors and the Bren Marr data center construction company.
He urged regulators to consider whether transferring ownership to an out-of-state company could further weaken accountability to local communities.
Dominion and NextEra maintain that combining their financial resources and operations would improve efficiency, lower financing costs and strengthen their ability to develop new electricity infrastructure.
The companies have also pledged additional customer protections, including residential bill relief and measures intended to prevent households and small businesses from bearing inappropriate data center infrastructure costs.
An evidentiary hearing scheduled to start November 17 in Richmond marks the SCC’s upcoming key step. In contrast to the public hearing in Fairfax, where community members offered personal accounts and viewpoints, this formal regulatory proceeding functions much like a courtroom.
During the session, attorneys, expert witnesses, corporate representatives, and other participating stakeholders can introduce sworn testimony, technical evaluations, and financial documents. Regulators will evaluate whether the proposed merger satisfies Virginia legal standards, with witnesses subject to questioning and cross-examination.
The SCC must determine whether the transaction would jeopardize adequate utility service at just and reasonable rates. Its review includes financial stability, reliability, customer affordability and potential risks associated with the combined companies.
Additional public testimony is scheduled for November 5 in Richmond and by telephone November 5, 9 and 10. Written comments may be submitted through November 12.
The SCC is expected to reach a decision by January 11, 2027, under the statutory review timetable, although the transaction also requires other regulatory approvals.
For Northern Virginia residents and businesses, the outcome could have lasting implications for electricity affordability, infrastructure development and the region’s ability to meet growing energy demands, added on by the proliferation of data centers.
Residents can follow the proceedings and review public documents through the Virginia SCC’s official merger information page, under case number PUR-2026-00112 – click here.
