Richmond City Council delays vote on Dominion-NextEra merger resolution

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond City Council delayed its vote Monday on a resolution concerning the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy until Dec. 14.

Many council members were concerned about the language of the resolution and said they did not have enough information about possible changes to the deal.

The State Corporation Commission is taking public comments over the phone on Tuesday and written comments are being accepted through Nov. 12. An evidentiary hearing for a judge to review the merger is Nov. 17.

The proposed resolution calls for binding commitments from the companies to protect jobs, support the city’s climate goals and provide relief for some low-income households.

It also calls for the companies to begin construction on a new co-headquarters tower in downtown Richmond within two years of the State Corporation Commission’s final order and to maintain current Virginia employee levels for at least 15 years.

The companies have said customers will not be responsible for merger-related costs. They have also pledged four years of residential bill credits and announced plans for the downtown tower.

The State Corporation Commission is expected to vote on the merger in January.