Vindman Takes Fight Against NextEra-Dominion Merger Directly to Virginia SCC Hearing

Vindman Joins Local Elected Officials and Advocates in Calling on Regulators to Put Main Street Ahead of Wall Street

Fairfax, Va. - Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) delivered remarks at the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing at the Fairfax County Government Center, urging regulators to reject the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger over concerns about its impact on Virginia families and utility ratepayers.

Vindman joined local elected officials and community advocates in raising the alarm about the proposed merger, which he warned could further drive up electricity costs for Virginians already struggling with rising utility bills.

Vindman Joins Advocates & Local Officials in Rallying Against the NextEra-Dominion Merger

Prior to the hearing, Vindman joined advocates for a rally outside the Fairfax County Government Center, where attendees called for greater accountability and stronger protections for Virginia ratepayers.

"Virginians are already paying too much to keep the lights on, and the last thing hardworking families need is a merger that could send their utility bills even higher," said Vindman. "The State Corporation Commission has a responsibility to protect the people it serves. That means looking out for Main Street, not Wall Street. I urge the Commission to reject this bad deal for Virginians."

Vindman was the first member of Virginia's congressional delegation to publicly oppose the proposed merger. He has continued to raise concerns about rising electricity costs, corporate accountability, and the need to ensure that Virginia families are not forced to shoulder the costs of unchecked data center growth.

Vindman's remarks, as prepared, are below. Click here to watch a video of his testimony.

-

Good evening. Thank you for holding this public event so you can hear directly from Virginians.

I'm Congressman Eugene Vindman, and I represent about 800 thousand residents in Virginia's Seventh District.

I'm here tonight for a simple reason: I believe the proposed merger between NextEra and Dominion is a bad deal for Virginians.

I urge the Commission to reject it.

I was the first member of Virginia's congressional delegation to speak out against this merger.

And I did so in a letter to the Commission, which I hope you all read.

Virginians are already paying too much to keep the lights on. I hear it everywhere I go.

Families are opening their utility bills each month wondering how much more they can possibly be expected to absorb.

This merger gives them every reason to worry that those bills will go even higher.

Here's the thing about utilities: Virginians don't get to shop around for their electricity provider.

Where you live determines who keeps your lights on and your home warm in the winter.

That gives utility companies enormous power, and with that power comes a responsibility to the people they serve.

It is not a license to squeeze more money out of hardworking families.

NextEra's own record should concern us. Customers of its Florida subsidiary have seen their utility bills rise by 33 percent. Now NextEra wants to take control of the utility serving millions of Virginians.

NextEra sees enormous profits to be made in Virginia, particularly with the explosion of data centers.

But I've been crystal clear: data centers must pay their fair share.

Virginia families should not be subsidizing corporate expansion through higher electricity bills.

This Commission's job is to protect Main Street, not Wall Street.

My concerns do not start and end with rates, however. I am very concerned about what this merger would do to the company's accountability structure.

Dominion is a Virginia company. Its decisions affect Virginia families, Virginia businesses, and Virginia communities every single day.

Under the proposed ownership structure, three-quarters of the new company's board would be controlled from Florida.

And there are serious questions about NextEra's conduct in Florida. The company agreed to a $150 million settlement over allegations involving political interference. That sounds like corruption.

That record raises concerns about the influence this company could wield over Virginia's energy future.

When Virginians have a problem with their power bill, they deserve answers here in Virginia.

I surveyed my constituents about this deal.

More than 950 Virginians responded, and 80 percent opposed the merger.

Their concerns were remarkably consistent, worried about higher bills, less accountability, and even more power concentrated in the hands of a massive utility.

Those concerns deserve to be taken seriously.

This Commission has a responsibility to protect Virginia ratepayers.

Electricity is an essential service, not a luxury. And the privilege of serving millions of Virginians comes with an obligation to put those customers first.

I respectfully urge you to put Virginia families ahead of Wall Street profits and reject this merger.

Thank you.

###