StoryRegulatory
Virginia hearing on the Dominion–NextEra merger draws objections over rates and data centers
A local public hearing on the proposed NextEra Energy–Dominion Energy merger was held on 9 October 2026 in Fairfax County, the second of two in-person hearings in Virginia. Most officials who spoke asked that the merger be denied or made conditional on guarantees, mainly on costs and data center infrastructure payments.
- The Virginia State Corporation Commission is the regulator; the evidentiary hearing begins 17 November and a decision is expected in January.
- Speakers asked for compliance with the Virginia Clean Economy Act, data centers paying for infrastructure costs, and a ban on regulated utility campaign contributions.
- A Virginia Del. cited a FERC letter of 23 September calling the merger application incomplete.
- NextEra agreed in June to pay a $150 million settlement over allegations related to Florida political interference.