The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has announced a review of its prior approval regarding Dominion Energy’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for a proposed gas plant in Chesterfield. This decision was made public on December 18, 2025, as the commission suspends its final order issued on November 25, 2025. The revised review follows a petition from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on December 15, 2025.
Reasons for Reconsideration
The petition submitted by SELC on behalf of several community groups—including Appalachian Voices, Chesterfield NAACP, and Mothers Out Front—highlights concerns over environmental standards. They argue that the initial approval did not adhere to the guidelines established by the Virginia Clean Economy Act or the Virginia Environmental Justice Act.
Community Response
“We appreciate the Commission’s willingness to take another look at its approval of this unnecessary, dirty, and expensive gas plant,” stated Grayson Holmes, Senior Attorney at SELC. The community groups are particularly concerned about the health implications of increased air pollution, which they believe warrant the denial of the CPCN.
Key Concerns Raised
- The SCC must analyze health impacts per the Environmental Justice Act.
- Dominion has not met the energy savings goals mandated under Virginia law.
- The costs associated with the Chesterfield gas plant were deemed unreasonable by several stakeholders.
The commission’s earlier order accepted Dominion’s arguments without thoroughly evaluating the evidence. Critics argue that the findings suggest potential future gas proposals could be approved based on insufficient information, undermining the principles of clean energy and reliability.
Upcoming Developments
The SCC will now review the merits of the case, focusing on the claims made by the community organizations. The outcome will set a precedent for future gas plant approvals and the interpretation of reliability threats as defined by current legislation.
This reassessment underscores the ongoing tension between energy infrastructure development and community health concerns in Virginia, revealing the complexities of energy regulation in the state.
