© 2024
Virginia's Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Lawmakers Are Divided on How to End Controversial Utility Rate Freeze

Lawmakers in Richmond appear to be on the verge of lifting a rate freeze for utilities.

Democrats and Republicans here are united on one thing: that rate freeze on electric utilities needs to go. But what happens next? That’s where things get dicey. Dana Wiggins at the Virginia Poverty Law Center says she’s concerned that the plan now advancing through the Senate relies too much on money from ratepayers to invest in solar and wind.

“The customer is still paying on the equity side, the return on equity, and they’re actually paying for the investments themselves. So essentially you’re paying twice on the same amount of investments.”

Chris West with Conservatives for Clean Energy says the bill will help low-income people by increasing efficiency programs.

“For low-income individuals, particularly in these very cold months, where they are using a lot of electricity, anyway that we are able to help them reduce that consumption, will help reduce their bill.”

Governor Ralph Northam says he looks forward to signing the compromise legislation… just as soon as it makes it out of the sausage making factory.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.
Related Content