SCC bows to Dominion Energy and Big Tech, Approves Chesterfield Gas Plant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Glen Besa, Board Chair, Friends of Chesterfield

(804) 387-6001 | glenbesa@gmail.com

November 25, 2025

SCC bows to Dominion Energy and Big Tech, Approves Chesterfield Gas Plant

CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Today, the State Corporation Commission granted Dominion Energy permission to build a new methane gas-fired power plant in Chesterfield County - the first of as many as eight new gas plants Dominion included in its most recent plan. Glen Besa, Board Chair of Friends of Chesterfield, issued the following statement:

"The State Corporation Commission just gutted the Virginia Clean Economy Act and gave Dominion Energy a blank check to build new gas plants and raise our electric bills. This decision only benefits Dominion shareholders and Big Tech, the richest corporations in the world, to power their data centers at our expense.

In its decision earlier this year on Dominion's long range energy plan and in today's decision, the SCC has bent the law to suit Dominion Energy and data center bros to the detriment of ratepayers. Not only are we obligated to foot the $4.5 billion bill for the initial construction of the gas plant, but we'll be paying inflated prices for methane gas to fuel the plant for the next 30 years.  

Under the Clean Economy Act there was a moratorium on new gas plants and Dominion was to phase out all existing gas and coal plants by 2045. In this first test of this law, the SCC has failed.

The hundreds of Chesterfield County residents and the thousands more across the state who rallied in opposition to this gas plant and in defense of the Virginia Clean Economy Act will fight on. It is critical that the General Assembly keep its promise to the people of Virginia ensuring affordable electricity, clean air and a healthy climate, even if the SCC proved today it is not up to the job."

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Friends of Chesterfield is a community-based group in Chesterfield County dedicated to bringing residents together around the issues that impact our lives.