Hashmi hears energy bill concerns during Roanoke stop

Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi made a stop in Roanoke, Virginia, as part of her statewide listening tour, focusing on rising power bills and a controversial proposed merger between Florida-based NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy. During the packed event, residents voiced anxieties over how increasing energy demands, particularly from data centers, could impact their personal finances.

Community advocates, including Melissa Thomas from the Stop NextEra campaign, expressed strong opposition to the proposed utility merger. They argued that expanding utility monopolies and the significant energy consumption by data centers are burdening households with higher electricity costs amidst general inflation. Thomas emphasized the struggle many families face in affording necessities like medication and groceries, exacerbated by rising energy prices.

Lieutenant Governor Hashmi acknowledged that while many in Southwest Virginia are not direct Dominion customers, a merger of this scale would affect all Virginians, impacting infrastructure, the capacity to address local concerns, and overall electric costs. When questioned about who should bear the increasing costs driven by data centers, Hashmi stated that companies and the industry itself should be responsible for their fair share of these necessary expenses. She concluded by noting that feedback gathered during her tour would be crucial in shaping legislative discussions concerning Virginia's energy future and regulatory oversight.