SCC News

RICHMOND – April is National Safe Digging Month, and the State Corporation Commission’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety (URS) is reminding all Virginians that digging with C.A.R.E. will help keep you safe and protect the Commonwealth’s underground utility infrastructure, communities, business districts and environment.

The steps to safe digging in Virginia are:

• Contact VA811 before you dig.
• Allow the required time for marking the utilities.
• Respect and protect the marks.
• Excavate carefully.

Whether you’re a professional contractor, do-it-yourselfer or homeowner, you have an important role in preventing damage to underground utilities. No matter how big or small the project, contacting VA811 to request the marking of underground utility lines before digging will help avoid physical injury, property damage, costly repairs, and service interruptions.

Contact VA811 by visiting va811.com, or calling 8-1-1 or 1-800-552-7001 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding legal state and national holidays. (Emergency notification service is available 24/7, 365 days a year.)

For more information about safe digging and demolition, contact URS at 804-371-9980 or visit the Damage Prevention page on the SCC website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Damage-Prevention.

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Contact: Jordan Bondurant, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – Virginia’s 804 area code region will soon have an additional area code – 686. Customers requesting new service or additional phone lines in the 804 area code region could be assigned the new 686 area code as soon as February 1, 2024, but not until all available phone numbers in the 804 area code have run out. That is expected to happen during the third quarter of 2024.

In November 2022, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved the implementation of the new 686 area code to be superimposed over the same geographic region covered by the existing 804 area code. This area includes the central portion of Virginia including Richmond, Ashland, Charles City, Chesterfield, Henrico, New Kent and Petersburg, as well as the Northern Neck.

The new 686 area code addresses the exhaustion of phone numbers in the 804 area code caused by increasing demand for phone lines. The relief provided by the new 686 area code is expected to last approximately 32 years.

Existing customers will keep their 804 area code and seven-digit telephone number. Customers in the 804 area code already transitioned to mandatory 10-digit dialing (three-digit area code plus seven-digit phone number) for local calls in July 2022 as a result of the national implementation of 988, the three-digit abbreviated dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Ten-digit dialing for local calls will also be required for customers in the new 686 area code. Thus, customers in the 804 and 686 area codes will dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.

Under the 804/686 area code overlay, what is a local call now will remain a local call. In addition, the price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change due to the 686 area code overlay. Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, and 811.

The SCC encourages consumers in the 804 area code region to ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment or other types of equipment recognize the new 686 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers.

For more information, please contact your local telephone service provider or visit the SCC website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Area-Code-Overlays.

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Contact: Katha Treanor, 804-371-9141

Case Number: PUR-2022-00083 In the matter of the Commission's investigation into exhaust relief for the 804 area code

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) will hold a hearing in Loudoun County on January 9 to receive public testimony on a request by the owners of the Dulles Greenway to increase the maximum level of tolls over a five-year period.

The public hearing is scheduled from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Freedom-South Riding High School auditorium, 25450 Riding Center Drive, in Chantilly, Virginia. Persons intending to testify as public witness should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting and register with the Commission’s bailiff. Witness statements will be limited to five minutes apiece.

The hearing is part of a case before the SCC. Toll Roads Investors Partnership II has filed a request to increase its maximum tolls for most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80, and $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25. The company also has asked that the Commission authorize a streamlined process to consider and approve future increases.

For those who prefer, there is also an opportunity to provide comments in writing on the toll request. Written comments may be submitted through the SCC’s website by January 24, 2024, at scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Simply go to the SCC website, select “Cases” and then “Cases Currently Accepting Public Comments,” and scroll down to case number PUR-2023-00089. Then select SUBMIT COMMENTS.

Comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to case number PUR-2023-00089.

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

Case Number PUR-2023-00089 – Application of Toll Road Investors Partnership II for authorization for an increase in the maximum level of tolls on Dulles Greenway

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) will hold a hearing in Loudoun County in January to receive public testimony on a request by the owners of the Dulles Greenway to increase the maximum level of tolls over a five-year period.

TRIP II has filed a request with the SCC to increase its maximum tolls for most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80, and $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25. The company also has asked that the Commission authorize a streamlined process to consider and approve future increases.

A public hearing is scheduled in Chantilly, Virginia, on January 9, 2024, from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Freedom-South Riding High School auditorium, 25450 Riding Center Drive. Persons intending to testify as a public witness should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting and register with the Commission’s bailiff. Witness statements will be limited to five minutes apiece.

The hearing will resume in Richmond on January 30, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the SCC’s courtroom on the second floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street. Public witnesses intending to provide testimony at the January 30 hearing must pre-register with the SCC by 5 p.m. on January 24, 2024. Registered witnesses will submit their live testimony by telephone. The January 30 hearing will be webcast at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting.

For those who prefer, there is also an opportunity to provide comments in writing on the toll request. Written comments may be submitted through the SCC’s website by January 10, 2024, at scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Simply go to the SCC website, select “Cases” and then “Submit Public Comments,” and scroll down to case number PUR-2023-00089. Then select SUBMIT COMMENTS.

Comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to case number PUR-2023-00089.

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

Case Number PUR-2023-00089 – Application of Toll Road Investors Partnership II for authorization for an increase in the maximum level of tolls on Dulles Greenway

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved Dominion Energy Virginia’s request to securitize approximately $1.3 billion of unrecovered fuel costs. 

The unrecovered fuel costs accrued from higher-than-expected fuel and purchased power costs between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2023. The proposal is expected to allow customers to pay off these unrecovered costs over approximately 7.25 years rather than over as little as 19 months. 

Dominion estimated that, as approved, customers would pay approximately $3.10 per month over 7.25 years rather than up to $14.72 per month under the traditional methodology. Final terms will not be known until the bonds are marketed and priced and are subject to change. 

The request was approved under a new statutory financing vehicle created by the 2023 General Assembly. The new statute allows Dominion, with Commission approval, to use a special-purpose entity to issue securitized bonds to finance certain unrecovered fuel costs. The proceeds from the bond issuance will be used to satisfy the unrecovered balance. The bondholders are paid through customer charges on the electric bill over the term of the securitization period. 

The Commission required that the bond issuance, once final terms are known, must provide both customer bill reductions and a net present value to customers compared to other recovery options. 

The Commission previously permitted Dominion to suspend collection of the unrecovered fuel costs on an interim basis beginning July 1, 2023, subject to the Commission’s consideration of the securitization request. Customer charges for securitization are expected to begin in Spring 2024. 

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

Case Number PUR-2023-00112 – Petition of Dominion Energy Virginia for a financing order authorizing the issuance of deferred fuel cost bonds

RICHMOND — The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is offering time for members of the public to provide comments on an application by Appalachian Power Company to decrease its fuel factor for usage on and after November 1, 2023.

Appalachian Power’s application requests approval to recover the company's estimated Virginia jurisdictional fuel expenses of approximately $433,839,311 for the November 1, 2023, through October 31, 2024, fuel year, and its projected October 31, 2023, unrecovered fuel deferral balance of $273,125,395, subject to a mitigation proposal which would spread recovery of the unrecovered fuel deferral balance over two years.

For a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, the average weighted monthly bill would decrease by $1.80, from $161.77 to $159.97, under the company’s proposal. The Commission has permitted the company to place the proposal into effect on an interim basis, subject to further modification, effective November 1, 2023.

The SCC has scheduled a public witness session to begin at 10 a.m. on January 17, 2024. Public witnesses intending to provide oral testimony must pre-register with the SCC by 5 p.m. on January 10, 2024. The hearing will be webcast at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting.

Public witnesses wishing to provide oral testimony may preregister in one of three ways:

• Completing a public witness form for case number PUR-2023-00156 on the SCC’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting.
• Emailing the same form (PDF version on the same website as above) to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov.
• Calling the SCC at 804-371-9141 during normal business hours (8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and providing your name and the phone number you wish the Commission to call to reach you during the hearing.

A public evidentiary hearing will follow the public witness hearing at 10 a.m. on January 17, 2024, in the SCC’s second-floor courtroom at 1300 East Main Street in Richmond to receive testimony and evidence from the company, any respondents and the SCC staff.

For those who prefer, there is also an opportunity to provide comments in writing on the Appalachian Power application. Written comments may be submitted through the SCC’s website by January 10, 2024, at scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Simply go to the SCC website, select "Cases" and then "Submit Public Comments," and scroll down to case number PUR-2023-00156. Then click SUBMIT COMMENTS.

Comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to case number PUR-2023-00156.

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

Case Number PUR-2023-00156 – Appalachian Power Company application to decrease its fuel factor

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved Dominion Energy Virginia’s Phase III of its plan for electric distribution grid-transformation projects that the company seeks to deploy in 2024-2026, while reducing from $508.3 million to $182.7 million the amount allowable for Dominion to spend on strengthening mainfeeder lines.  

In addition to approving the continuation of several programs – including deployment of advanced metering infrastructure; a customer information platform; targeted corridor improvement; voltage optimization enablement; and telecommunications and physical security enhancements – the Commission approved an expanded mainfeeder hardening pilot, consisting of 44 mainfeeders.

The Commission also approved two new programs: an outage management system and a non-wires alternative pilot. The non-wires alternative pilot consists of up to five front-of-the-meter battery energy storage systems to be installed over five years.

In total, the Commission approved $824.1 million in capital investments through 2026 to improve the safety and security of Dominion’s electric distribution system and $58.6 million in operations and maintenance.  

In approving the hardening of 44 mainfeeders, the Commission noted that Dominion’s initial request to harden 111 mainfeeders would have cost $1.3 billion over the life of the investments when including financing costs. “Simply put, the Company has not sustained its burden of proving these costs are reasonable and prudent,” the Commission wrote.

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

Case Number PUR-2023-00051 – Petition of Dominion Energy Virginia for approval of a plan for electric distribution grid transformation projects

RICHMOND – Every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train, according to Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to rail safety education.

During Rail Safety Week – September 18-24, 2023 – the State Corporation Commission (SCC) joins OLI, state Operation Lifesaver programs, and other rail safety partners throughout North America to raise awareness about the need for pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists and others to stay safe around railroad tracks and crossings.

Lauren Govoni, director of the SCC’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety, and Virginia Operation Lifesaver Coordinator Tracey Lamb encourage Virginians to stay alert, use caution and obey signals around railroad tracks, and to always expect a train. “Rail safety is much more than just a single tip or slogan,” Govoni said. “It’s a set of guidelines for different groups of people, including children, first responders, media professionals, photographers, personal and professional drivers, and more.”

As part of this annual nationwide campaign, the SCC will partner with law enforcement and organizations throughout the state to promote daily Rail Safety Week themes that include commuter and transit safety, crossing safety and professional drivers, trespass prevention, and photographer safety. It will also share potentially life-saving information on its website and social media pages.

While the 82% decrease in collisions nationwide at highway-rail grade crossings during the past 50 years is encouraging, “there is still more rail safety awareness work to do,” Lamb said. “Trains can take a mile or more to come to a complete stop. If your vehicle ever stalls on the track, immediately exit your vehicle and call the phone number on the blue Emergency Notification System sign located at the crossing or 9-1-1,” she said. Virginia Operation Lifesaver is administered by the SCC’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety, which offers education sessions and can be reached at 804-371-1588. To learn more about railroad safety and railroad regulation in Virginia, visit scc.virginia.gov/pages/Railroad-Regulation or oli.org.

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Contact: Jordan Bondurant, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – National Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week is September 11-15, 2023, and the State Corporation Commission (SCC) is bringing attention to an important communications resource for low-income Virginians. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on qualifying voice and broadband services for eligible subscribers.

Internet access has increasingly become a necessity for Virginians to stay digitally connected. You could be eligible for the Lifeline benefit if your income falls below a certain level – at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines – or if you participate in one of the following federal assistance programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

Companies participating in the Lifeline program can help with enrollment. You can also use the National Verifier to check your eligibility and sign up for the Lifeline benefit. Since not all companies are required to offer Lifeline service, it’s a good idea to contact area providers to see if they participate.

To learn more about the Lifeline program and the National Verifier, and to see if you are eligible, call 1-800-234-9473 or email lifelinesupport@usac.org or visit www.lifelinesupport.org or the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers. You may also contact USAC at LifelineProgram@usac.org.

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Contact: Jordan Bondurant, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved the 2023 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) development plan for Appalachian Power Company for new solar and onshore wind generation capacity. The company is required to submit an annual plan to the SCC to comply with the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).

The SCC found that Appalachian Power’s plan is reasonable and prudent giving due consideration to the statutory factors contained in the VCEA.

The Commission approved six new power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) totaling 184 megawatts, one renegotiated PPA totaling 20 megawatts and acquisition of an out-of-state wind facility totaling up to 146.2 megawatts.

The Commission denied the company’s request for cost recovery associated with a legacy wind contract, finding the economic analysis did not show positive value for customers.

The SCC also approved a revenue requirement of $16,373,821 for the recovery of VCEA-related resources for the rate year of October 2023 through September 2024.

In its final order, the Commission stated, “The Commission … is guided in these matters by the statutes and the record. The Commission has continued to exercise its delegated discretion in a manner that faithfully implements the VCEA’s carbon-reduction requirements, while best protecting consumers who expect and deserve reliable and affordable service.”

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Contact: Greg Weatherford, 804-371-9141

Case Number PUR-2023-00001 - Petition of Appalachian Power Company for approval of 2023 RPS Plan and related requests
View Final Order