SCC greenlights proposed Chesterfield gas plant

RICHMOND, Va. — Today after years of public opposition from local community members and residents throughout Virginia, the State Corporation Commission issued an order approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity that will allow Dominion Energy to build its proposed gas power plant in Chesterfield. Based on Dominion’s estimates, the plant will cost ratepayers at least $8 billion, including fuel costs and utility revenue requirements.  

The CPCN is a legal permit that utilities must obtain to demonstrate that a new facility is both necessary and in the public interest.  

SELC represented Appalachian Voices, the Chesterfield NAACP and Mothers Out Front in the SCC proceeding during which commissioners heard arguments for and against the proposed methane gas power plant.  

In its order approving the CPCN, the SCC relied heavily on recent developments in the energy market, PJM, as evidence that the gas plant is necessary, though it acknowledged that out-of-state members of that organization “neither need[] to pay for it or live by it.” The SCC also stated that the project was the “best of the alternatives” in the company’s Request for Proposal, despite requiring Dominion to improve future competitive bidding processes by ensuring there is independent review of criteria and final proposals.  

“To say we’re disappointed is an understatement,” said Chesterfield NAACP President, Nicole Martin. “Today’s decision puts Dominion’s profits over the health and wellbeing of those living in fenceline communities in Chesterfield and beyond. I’m proud of the coalition we’ve built here and we don’t plan to back away from this fight because of today’s decision.”  

Dominion filed for approval of the CPCN in early March and originally proposed building the fossil fuel facility at the James River Industrial Center, but last summer said it would build at its existing Chesterfield Power Station. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is also currently evaluating Dominion’s air pollution application for the gas plant. A decision from DEQ is expected later this month.   

“Virginians should not have to breathe dirty air and be left footing Dominion’s bills” said Melissa Thomas, senior campaign and organizing strategist at Mothers Out Front, and leader of the organization’s Moms vs. Methane campaign. “Rushed and baseless utility planning won’t result in a good outcome for Dominion’s customers and as we know from past experience and countless studies the burden always falls on communities that have borne the brunt of polluting plants for decades, in this instance Chesterfield.” 

“The people who have been sickened by Dominion Energy’s pollution for decades have made their voices clear — they deserve clean air and a healthy community,” said Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator at Appalachian Voices. “Today’s decision hurts Chesterfield residents and ratepayers statewide. Now, customers across the commonwealth could end up paying $8 billion for a polluting project that is not needed.” 

The decision makes way for the utility’s first new gas buildout in years and is the first in a string of expected requests to build gas infrastructure that Dominion says is necessary thanks to data center growth.   

“Everyone knows this is a step backwards, a step in the wrong direction, even Dominion,” said SELC Staff Attorney Emma Clancy. “We, our clients and the community have asked the utility, the SCC and DEQ to consider public health impacts and the economic impact that investing ratepayer dollars in new gas — will have on not only Chesterfield, but communities across the state. Today’s decision ignores sound science and cheaper alternatives and leaves Virginians to pay the health and dollar costs of resources that serve Dominion’s new data customers.”