Spanberger takes step to intervene in Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger

Gov. Abigail Spanberger is jumping into the fray in the proposed Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger, announcing in an op-ed published in the Washington Post on Thursday that she has taken the legal step of formally requesting to be a formal party to the case.

“I know this action is unprecedented by a Virginia governor — but so, too, is the size of this proposed merger and its potential impact on the Commonwealth. Virginians deserve to know that their leaders are laser-focused on ensuring that their needs are part of the SCC review,” Spanberger wrote in the op-ed.

NextEra and Dominion formally filed applications seeking regulatory approval of their proposed $67 billion merger with the State Corporation Commission last month starting the clock – and it’s a quick one – on the state review.

State law gives the SCC 60 days to review the applications, though the commission can move to extend that time frame by an additional 120 days.

A pair of state legislators has formally asked Spanberger to call a special session that would give the Virginia General Assembly the ability to extend the timeframe for reviewing the proposed merger.

Spanberger didn’t address that issue in her WaPo op-ed, which focused on explaining what her move to become a legal party to the case will mean.

“This action will allow my administration to have the legal right to engage, bring concerns forward, request detailed information about the proposed merger, and make clear that Virginians expect to see long-term, tangible benefits of any potential deal,” Spanberger wrote.

“The SCC’s mandate requires that commissioners ‘balance the interests of citizens, businesses, and customers’ in their decisions. But for a deal this consequential, I will not watch from the sidelines as that potential balance is assessed and determined,” Spanberger wrote.

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ICYMI: Dominion-NextEra merger

• State legislators ask Spanberger to call special session on Dominion-NextEra merger
• NextEra, Dominion file paperwork on proposed merger, getting SCC review clock ticking
• NextEra Energy wants to buy Dominion Energy: This one’s about data centers, AI
• Word for the good guys who oppose the Next Era-Dominion merger: Good luck
• Virginia groups pushing for changes to laws governing utility mergers
• Ghazala Hashmi takes leadership role on state review of proposed NextEra-Dominion merger

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