Dominion Energy unveils plan to meet unprecedented demand, bills could go up 50% by 2039
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Dominion Energy says the demand for electricity in Virginia is rising at its fastest rate since World War II -- and is expected to double over the next 15 years. According to company spokesperson Jeremy Slayton, in order for Dominion to meet the rising demand due to new data center opening in Virginia, they’ll increase energy production from natural gas and renewable energy sources like wind and solar. “80% of our new power generation is going to be carbon-free,” Slayton said. However, Dominion’s plan also calls for a 70% increase in electricity produced by natural gas. “Natural gas is pollution-intensive," said Tim Cywinski with the Sierra Club. "It’s also very climate-warming and releases a bunch of toxic chemicals in the surrounding areas. It is one of the worst pollution sources that we have." Meanwhile, to help pay for the increase in energy production and usage, Dominion says the average residential customer’s bill will increase by about 50% by 2039. “A 50% increase in our monthly electric bills is unaffordable, and if data centers are causing this inflation to our electric bills, then they need to be held accountable,” said Cywinski. “All of our customers, regardless of who it is, pay for the power that they use," Slayton said. "If you are a data center, you get billed for the power that you use. If you are a homeowner, you get billed for the power that you use."
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Dominion Energy says the demand for electricity in Virginia is rising at its fastest rate since World War II -- and is expected to double over the next 15 years.
According to company spokesperson Jeremy Slayton, in order for Dominion to meet the rising demand due to new data center opening in Virginia, they’ll increase energy production from natural gas and renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
“80% of our new power generation is going to be carbon-free,” Slayton said.
However, Dominion’s plan also calls for a 70% increase in electricity produced by natural gas.
“Natural gas is pollution-intensive," said Tim Cywinski with the Sierra Club. "It’s also very climate-warming and releases a bunch of toxic chemicals in the surrounding areas. It is one of the worst pollution sources that we have."
Meanwhile, to help pay for the increase in energy production and usage, Dominion says the average residential customer’s bill will increase by about 50% by 2039.
“A 50% increase in our monthly electric bills is unaffordable, and if data centers are causing this inflation to our electric bills, then they need to be held accountable,” said Cywinski.
“All of our customers, regardless of who it is, pay for the power that they use," Slayton said. "If you are a data center, you get billed for the power that you use. If you are a homeowner, you get billed for the power that you use."
