When Virginians elected Ghazala Hashmi as Lieutenant Governor last November over Republican radio host John Reid, it marked the first time in American history that a Muslim woman was elected to any statewide office.
Hashmi traveled to Roanoke on Sept. 24 as part of Virginia’s Voices Initiative to join a community discussion about data center development, rising energy bills and a proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy.
The event, held at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture in Melrose Plaza featured Hashmi on stage with Roanoke Mayor Job Cobb, Delegate Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke; Delegate Lily Franklin, D-Montgomery County; and Victoria Higgins, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Brandy Faulkner facilitated the event from the stage.
More than 200 residents, advocacy groups, community organizations, elected officials and energy experts participated in the final stop of the Energy Costs Listening Tour.
“Right now, the standard by which the State Corporate Commission (SCC) is reviewing the merger was written in 1940. Obviously, a lot has changed since then in our energy growth, demand and need,” Hashmi said. “There is no consideration of public benefit. That is the main sticking point for me, personally. Before any decision like this goes forward, the question should be, what are the real benefits?”
If the proposed $67 billion merger of Dominion Energy and NextEra happens, it would create the largest utility merger in U.S. history.
A moratorium — a temporary halt on a specific activity or legal obligation — was among the remedies discussed. Both Rasoul and Franklin said they would vote yes on the matter.
“If I have an opportunity to vote on a moratorium, you know it’s a yes. I’m ready to co-sponsor that kind of legislation. We need to be aggressive. We’ve been waiting for a long time to try and rein in these utilities. The SCC was set in place really in the 1970s,” Rasoul said. “In normal business, you have revenues and expenses equal profits. That’s not how it works with utilities. They make money off owning big, expensive stuff because they are guaranteed a rate on their assets.”
Added Franklin, “We need a moratorium in Virginia. I think that it’s full stop.”
The way Higgins sees it, there’s nothing being offered to offset the permanent economic and political risk. “There’s really no ‘undo’ button for this merger,” she said.
Several attendees took advantage of the opportunity to speak directly to the elected officials. Additional topics raised pertained to grid reliability and the future of Virginia’s energy system.
Responding to a question from attendee Marion Howard, Cobb said, “People have had their vote as to whether we supported the due diligence period for a potential sale of Wood Haven. I have been on council for eight years. We as a city – with gratitude to the Southwest Virginia Data Center and transparency group – worked through adopting the amendments to our zoning.”
Continuing, he added, “We did so because we recognized that Roanoke doesn’t have room or land space for a data center. This seemed like a potential option, but we must be very clear about the standards we are setting. I also want to make it clear that neither I nor the city signed an NDA relating to this matter.”
In June, Hashmi sent a letter to the SCC urging answers from Dominion Energy and NextEra about the proposed merger. Through Nov. 2, individuals interested in participating in the proceedings can register as a public witness. Written public comments will also be accepted during that time.
Additional information can be found at VaEnergyTour.com.
