Chesterfield, Virginia, USA: Virginia Lt. Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi has voiced strong opposition to the State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) approval of the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC), a new gas-fired power plant, describing the decision as a setback for the state’s clean energy ambitions.

In a statement released on November 26, Hashmi, who represents the district where the plant is planned, highlighted that she has been hearing residents’ concerns about the project for nearly two years.

“I have listened to members of this community and legislators across the Commonwealth, all of whom recognize the implications of this decision for Chesterfield County residents and the precedent it establishes for Virginia,” she said.

Hashmi emphasized that the approval conflicts with Virginia’s long-term renewable energy targets.

“Instead of supporting Virginia’s transition to clean, renewable energy by 2050, the SCC’s ruling takes us in the opposite direction. It also neglects the Commonwealth’s environmental justice policies, jeopardizes public health and safety, and places additional financial strain on families through rate increases to cover the plant’s costs,” she stated.

She called for investment in cleaner, more cost-effective energy alternatives that align with both environmental justice principles and the state’s energy needs.

“The Commonwealth must continue investing in solutions that are cleaner, more affordable, and environmentally responsible, while addressing long-term energy requirements,” Hashmi added.

The SCC’s approval enables Dominion Energy to move forward with the 944-megawatt natural gas peaker plant on the former site of Chesterfield’s coal power station. The project is projected to cost roughly $1.47 billion, with the utility permitted to recover the expense through a new charge on customer bills. Regulators argue that the plant is essential to meet rising electricity demand and to ensure grid reliability during periods of peak use and extreme weather conditions.