Richmond City Council votes to join Dominion-NextEra merger review

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond City Council voted Thursday to get involved in the proposed merger between Dominion and NextEra.

The council voted 5-0 in favor during a special meeting held Thursday afternoon.

The vote allows the city to review the details of the merger and ask questions about it.

Four council members were absent from the meeting. The vote moved forward anyway because time was running out for the city to get involved.

The city only had until Friday to become a formal party to Virginia’s review of the proposed $67 billion merger.

Dominion Energy’s shareholders voted last week to approve the merger.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission must review and approve the plan.

The review evaluates service quality, ratepayer impact, and corporate control.

In August, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger formally intervened in the process in a filing with the SCC, which can be found here.

In July, a pair of Republican lawmakers called for a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to take a closer look at the potential merger.

Earlier this month, a group of Democratic lawmakers asked to give the General Assembly more time to review the proposal.

SCC TIMELINE

The SCC has a web page to provide information about the proposed merger. Here’s a look at the timeline for public hearings in the second half of 2026:

• July 15: Joint petition for acquisition filed with the SCC
• July 21: SCC files Order for Notice and Hearing
• Nov. 2: Last day to register as a public witness for the hearing
• Nov. 5: Public witness testimony telephonically 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
• Nov. 5: Public witness testimony in person 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in second-floor courtroom at 1300 East Main St., Richmond, VA, 23219
• Nov. 9: Public witness testimony telephonically 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Nov. 9: Last day to submit written comments
• Nov. 10: Public witness testimony telephonically 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Nov. 17: Evidentiary hearing begins