MEDIA ADVISORY: Hearing on Dominion Virginia Power’s Long-Range Energy Plan

The Virginia State Corporate Commission is holding a hearing to review Dominion Virginia Power’s most recent Integrated Resource Plan and determine whether the plan is “reasonable and in the public interest.” Critical assumptions about how the utility plans to meet its customer’s electricity needs over the next fifteen years will be evaluated at the hearing.

What: Dominion presents a base plan that includes:

• No increase in the level of renewable resources in the utility’s energy mix over the next fifteen years;
• Energy efficiency and demand response programs at levels that would achieve just half of Virginia’s modest goal of reducing electricity consumption by 10% of 2006 levels by 2022; and
• A 37% increase in heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions over the next fifteen years.

Who: The Southern Environmental Law Center is representing Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club and will be presenting the expert testimony of the following witnesses:

Karl Rabago, Principal at Rabago Energy, LLC

John Athas, Principal Consultant at La Capra Associates

Members of the public may also offer testimony during the hearing and weigh in on the utility’s long-range energy plan that has immediate and future consequences for all Virginians. Over 5,000 Virginians have already submitted written comments to the State Corporation Commission concerning Dominion’s failure to plan for meaningful investments in clean energy resources.

When: Wednesday April 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Courtroom of the State Corporation Commission, Second Floor, Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

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About the Southern Environmental Law Center:
The Southern Environmental Law Center is a regional nonprofit using the power of the law to protect the health and environment of the Southeast (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). Founded in 1986, SELC's team of about 60 legal and policy experts represent more than 100 partner groups on issues of climate change and energy, air and water quality, forests, the coast and wetlands, transportation, and land use. www.SouthernEnvironment.org.

About Appalachian Voices:
Appalachian Voices is an award-winning, environmental nonprofit committed to protecting the natural resources of central and southern Appalachia, focusing on reducing coal’s impact on the region and advancing our vision for a cleaner energy future. Founded in 1997, we are headquartered in Boone, N.C., with offices in Charlottesville, Va.; Knoxville, Tenn. and Washington, D.C. www.appvoices.org. 

About the Chesapeake Climate Action Network:
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to build and mobilize a powerful grassroots movement to call for state, national and international policies that will put us on a path to climate stability. www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

About the Sierra Club:
Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, we are 2.1 million of your friends and neighbors, working together to protect our communities and the planet. www.sierraclub.org.