Below is our firm’s summary of notable energy regulatory activity at the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC” or “Commission”) during June, 2025. Please contact attorneys Will Reisinger or Matt Gooch should you have any questions about these cases or Virginia’s energy market. ReisingerGooch PLC provides regulatory and transactional counsel to clean energy businesses, associations, and public interest organizations. The following is presented for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification programs:
- Dominion Energy files 2024 measurement and verification report regarding previously approved efficiency programs – Case No. PUR-2023-00217
On December 11, 2023, Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) filed its 2023 demand-side management (“DSM”) update. Dominion’s application requested approval to continue cost recovery for previously approved DSM programs. Dominion also requested approval to offer several new programs, designated the “Phase XII” programs. The Phase XII measures include incentives for homebuilders to construct energy efficiency buildings and incentives for consumers to install smart thermostats. Dominion proposed a cost cap of $102.4 million for Phase XII. The Commission approved Dominion’s application in a final order published on July 26, 2024.
On June 16, 2025, Dominion filed its 2024 evaluation, measurement and verification (“EM&V”) report for its previously approved programs. The report, prepared by a consultant, contains actual 2024 results and projected savings data for 2025. The report was filed in multiple volumes in Case No. PUR-2023-00217. The report estimates that Dominion’s programs provided 1,106 gigawatt-hours of savings towards the Company’s statutory energy savings targets. The report estimates that energy efficiency programs resulted in $21 million in bill savings for customers and were responsible for avoiding 552,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
- Clean energy advocates urge SCC to deny Appalachian Power Company net metering proposal – Case No. PUR-2024-00161
On May 6, 2024, the SCC published an order in Case No. PUR-2024-00047 directing Appalachian Power Company (“APCo) and Dominion Energy Virginia to file net metering proposals. Virginia law, at Va. Code § 56-594(E), requires the SCC to conduct hearings to evaluate the net metering credit rates for each utility. The law requires the SCC to establish appropriate billing rates for net metering customers and to “make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the net energy metering program does not result in unreasonable cost-shifting to nonparticipating electric utility customers.” The SCC’s order directed APCo to file its net metering proposal by September 2, 2024. Dominion was directed to file its proposal on or before May 1, 2025.
APCo filed its net metering proposal on August 30, 2024. APCo proposes to close its current net metering tariff and to implement a new program for all future customers. APCo’s current tariff is designated Rider N.M.S. The new program, designated Rider N.M.S. II, would provide credits to net metering customers based on the energy produced by a customer-generator’s system. However, while Rider N.M.S. provides a monthly credit equal to the utility’s full retail rate, the new program would compensate customers based on a lower “avoided cost rate.” APCo states that the new structure “will ensure appropriate crediting to customer-generators for the energy delivered to the grid while minimizing cost-shifting to non-participating electric utility customers.”
The SCC held an evidentiary hearing between May 20 and May 22. Several intervening parties, representing environmental organizations and the solar industry, opposed APCo’s petition. The SCC Staff also urged the Commission to deny APCo’s petition based on various errors and omissions. The parties filed post-hearing briefs on June 30.
- SCC schedules hearing regarding Dominion Energy proposal to modify net energy metering program – Case No. PUR-2025-00079
On May 1, Dominion Energy Virginia filed a petition to revise its net metering program. Recent amendments to Va. Code § 56-594(E) require the SCC to conduct hearings to establish the net metering credit rates for both Dominion and Appalachian Power. The law requires the SCC to establish appropriate billing rates for net metering customers and to “make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the net energy metering program does not result in unreasonable cost-shifting to nonparticipating electric utility customers.”
In its petition, Dominion proposes to maintain its current net metering program for current customers. Dominion, however, proposes several changes to the program for what it calls “NEM 2.0.” The NEM 2.0 proposal would transition from an annual “netting period” to “real-time netting.” Under “real-time netting,” Dominion would “net the inflow and outflow from a customer’s meter every half-hour, the outcome being that each half-hour interval will be a net consumption or net production interval.” The customer’s meter would measure energy consumed and energy exported. “Energy is netted each half-hour to be charged or credited accordingly.” Dominion’s NEM 2.0 proposal would also base credit rates on the per-MWh rates for the Company’s current distributed solar PPAs approved pursuant to recent Virginia Clean Economy Act filings. Finally, Dominion proposes new application and account maintenance fees for all net metering customers.
The SCC will hold an evidentiary hearing on January 20, 2026. Interested parties may intervene in the case by filing a notice of participation on or before September 30.
- SCC publishes final order setting minimum bill for Appalachian Power shared solar program – Case No. PUR-2025-00028
On April 1, Appalachian Power Company filed a petition for approval of a minimum bill for its shared solar program. The petition is filed pursuant to Va. Code § 56-594.4, which requires the SCC to establish a shared solar program for APCo. The statute, at Code § 56-594.4(D), requires the SCC to establish a minimum bill for the shared solar program. The statute provides that the minimum bill shall “include the costs of all utility infrastructure and services used to provide electric service and administrative costs of the shared solar program.” APCo’s petition proposes a minimum bill of $48.66 for a 1,000kWh/month residential shared solar customer. The petition includes a calculation that is intended to quantify the value provided by the shared solar generation facilities.
The SCC held an evidentiary hearing on June 9 and published a final order on June 30. The final order adopts APCo’s proposed minimum bill on a temporary basis. The order noted that the statute requires the Commission to revisit APCo’s minimum bill after issuing a final order regarding APCo’s net metering program. The order specifically adopted the SCC Staff recommendation to address the “more complex issues with the Company’s minimum bill proposal” after making final determinations regarding APCo’s net metering program. APCo’s proposal to modify its net metering program is currently pending in Case No. PUR-2024-00161.
- SCC schedules hearing regarding Dominion Energy’s proposed minimum bill for shared solar program – Case No. PUR-2025-00031
On May 1, Dominion Energy Virginia filed an application for approval of a minimum bill for its shared solar program. The application is filed pursuant to Va. Code § 56-594.3. The statute requires the SCC to establish a minimum bill for the shared solar program. The statute provides that the minimum bill shall “include the costs of all utility infrastructure and services used to provide electric service and administrative costs of the shared solar program.” The minimum bill must ensure that shared solar customers pay their “fair share” of the utility’s costs.
Dominion describes the minimum bill as “the least amount that Program participants must pay on their monthly bill, even after bill credits are applied.” The application proposes a minimum bill of $70.26 for a residential customer with a 1,000 kWh shared solar subscription. The proposed minimum bill is based on Dominion’s calculation of a residential customer’s fixed monthly charges, shared solar administrative costs, and several non-bypassable rider charges. The application also includes a calculation that is intended to quantify the benefits provided by the shared solar generation facilities.
The SCC will hold an evidentiary hearing on October 22. Interested parties can intervene in this case by filing a notice of participation on or before August 6.
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