Virginia's legislature rejected cost-saving amendments from Governor Abigail Spanberger to a bill backed by Dominion Energy, the state's largest utility. The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas and Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling, assigns certain electric grid upgrade costs to ratepayers. Spanberger proposed changes designed to reduce expenses for consumers, but lawmakers voted down her suggestions and sent the original bill to her desk for final approval.
The decision represents a victory for Dominion Energy, which has substantial influence over Virginia's energy policy. The utility's backed legislation will shift infrastructure costs onto customers rather than the company. Lawmakers rejected the governor's more consumer-friendly approach, indicating Dominion's lobbying efforts succeeded in preserving the bill's original terms.
Spanberger now faces a choice. She can sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature. The outcome will signal whether the governor prioritizes consumer protection or defers to the state's dominant energy provider. The legislature's rejection of her amendments demonstrates the political power utilities wield in Virginia's energy debates, even when proposals could lower bills for residents already facing rising electricity costs.