Virginia Regulators Defend Net Metering in Dominion Territory
Decision preserves key rooftop-solar policy that helps families cut energy bills
RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia State Corporation Commission rejected a proposal from Dominion Energy that would have drastically reduced the value of customer-owned clean energy across its service territory.
“Dominion’s proposal would have pulled the rug out from under thousands of Virginians who want to lower their bills and generate their own clean energy,” said Shawn Kelly, Managing Director, State Regulatory at Advanced Energy United. “The Commission rejected that approach and upheld a policy that benefits customers, communities, and the grid.”
Net energy metering allows customers with rooftop solar and other forms of clean energy to receive fair credit for the electricity they generate and send back to the grid, which reduces overall system costs and supports local clean energy jobs.
Key takeaways from the ruling:
- Commission’s order denies Dominion’s attempt to dramatically reduce net metering customer savings.
- Commission affirms that net metering provides the benefits of reduced reliance on carbon generation, enhance reliability and resiliency for the grid through increased transmission and distribution capacity, and fewer line losses.
- 6% statutory cap remains in place (Dominion is currently below 3%).
Advanced Energy United applauds the decision, which affirms the important role customer-owned clean energy plays in Virginia’s future energy economy.