SCC rules data centers must pay for their own transmission costs
The Virginia State Corporation Commission has ruled that large data centers must now pay for the transmission infrastructure built specifically to serve them, shifting costs from general ratepayers. This decision followed testimony from the Piedmont Environmental Council regarding Dominion Energy's previous policies.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has ruled that large data centers must pay for the transmission infrastructure built exclusively to serve them. This decision, made last Friday, aims to provide relief to Virginia ratepayers, who previously funded these costs.
The ruling followed testimony from the Piedmont Environmental Council. Chris Miller, President of the Council, argued that Dominion Energy's existing policies did not adequately protect ratepayers from the financial burden of data center infrastructure. He stated, "If something is only required because of a data center and otherwise you wouldn't build it, then 100% of that cost ought to be allocated to that rate class and that rate payer."
Dominion Energy now has 90 days to file a new cost assignment proposal with the SCC in response to this ruling.