Virginia SCC orders Dominion Energy to charge data centers for transmission

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) ordered Dominion Energy to develop a tariff that assigns the cost of new high‑voltage transmission lines and substations directly to data centers and other large‑load customers. The move, backed by Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration, is intended to prevent residential ratepayers from subsidising infrastructure built solely for commercial users. Officials said the order could save Virginia families and small businesses hundreds of millions of dollars.

Dominion reported 203 transmission projects in its 2024 integrated resource plan, and the SCC noted that the new tariff may not cover every instance where a utility incurs transmission costs due to large‑load additions. Environmental groups welcomed the decision, saying it sets a precedent that large commercial users should pay their “fair share.”