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Our View
Kill (the) bill
“ Tk "To bill is better than a bad bill,” noted one
|\l observer, while describing the DominionX backed “re-regulation” legislation that recently passed in the Virginia General Assembly, and is now on Gov. Tim Kaine’s desk.
The Governor should seriously amend these bills (HB3068/SB1416), or better yet, veto the legislation. He has until March 26 to act, and we hope he will put the interests of his constituents ahead of Dominion’s financial goals.
It still seems strange that these bills originated with Dominion, rather than a state agency or the SCO, and that there has never been an independent review or analysis of what the effects will be on consumers.
According to information provided by the Piedmont Environmental Council and others, in its current form the legislation “repeals or limits most of the provisions of law by which the State Corporation Commission can protect consumers. This will result in “an unbalanced, pro-utility approach” that “enhances Dominion’s competitive position relative to utilities in other states at the expense of Virginia consumers.”
Hence, the argument that the power lines proposed to cross our region will be carrying cheap power to the northeast - with no benefit for the people here whose land will be taken.
The Dominion re-regulation has been called “hybrid,” when compared with the 1995 de-regulation, but that’s not the case. This time, it’s even more loaded in Dominion’s favor.
According to the PEC report, “Rather than a full rate proceeding where all the facts concerning all the operating costs are examined and rates established for the utility, the re-regulation bill would segment most categories of costs for new construction and related return, and require the SCC to permit their recovery on a ‘stand alone’ basis.”
This relates directly to the ersatz segmentation of electric utilities into power generation, power transmission and retail sales companies - but not really. Like a shell game, consumer protection issues end up where they are the least troublesome for Dominion, and justification for rate increases are based on what gives them the best advantage.
There is no compelling reason for this legislation to be jammed through the General Assembly this year, and based pn the growing citizen outrage over what it all means, these bills are no longer “veto-proof.”
We urge Gov. Kaine to exercise his executive authority, and veto Dominion’s “re-regulation” bills.
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