CHESTER, Va.—A large crowd gathered at the SpringHill Suites in September for a public hearing regarding an air permit for a contentious “peaker” plant. Dominion Energy has advocated for this plant to boost grid reliability.
Brent Archer, former president of Columbia Gas of Virginia, expressed support for the project at the meeting of the state’s Department of Environmental Quality.
“The dispatchable energy from this plant is crucial for balancing demand with supply on the electric grid, in partnership with renewable energy,” Archer stated, supported by dozens of attendees.
Archer represented the Virginia Energy Reliability Alliance (VERA), an organization promoting balanced energy policy for Virginia’s energy needs. Many supporters wore stickers reading “I support reliable energy.”
Unmentioned by Archer was VERA’s funding from Dominion. In a later interview, Archer claimed he volunteered to speak and felt no obligation to disclose Dominion’s relationship with VERA.
Jeremy Slayton, a Dominion spokesperson, stated that the utility’s involvement with VERA is “transparently explained on the VERA website.”
Dominion has also provided $290,208 to Power for Tomorrow, a nonprofit supporting monopoly utility control to enhance power efficiency and reliability, which in turn backs VERA. Power for Tomorrow’s ties to Dominion date to May 2021, according to the Energy and Policy Institute.
Aaron Ruby of Dominion confirmed that VERA supporters at the hearing were unpaid. “Their support is genuine,” Ruby affirmed. “VERA’s efforts to mobilize public support include distributing stickers. Thousands of Virginians and over 100 businesses and organizations have shown their support” for the plant.
The proposed Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center would operate during peak electricity demand, unlike constant-use plants.
Despite support from some, the Chesterfield plant has faced opposition from the majority Black community nearby, who are concerned about the plant’s environmental impact.
Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, a Richmond Democrat, spoke at a second DEQ public hearing, supporting the facility despite potential challenges in reducing emissions under the Virginia Clean Economy Act.
Dominion is Bolling’s top donor, contributing $110,000 between 2023 and August 2025, and another $50,000 after her testimony. Bolling insists donations and her testimony were unrelated, citing her voting record on various energy issues.
Dominion maintains that contributions to lawmakers are without any quid pro quo expectations. “We contribute to candidates from both parties who support commonsense policy,” Slayton said.
Del. Jason Ballard, a Republican, was seen interacting with VERA supporters. Ballard received a $25,000 donation from Dominion on the day of the second air permit hearing, making the utility his fourth-largest donor.
Dominion’s spokesman confirmed no expectations for political favors in return for campaign contributions. “We do not exchange campaign contributions for political favors,” Slayton reiterated.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org