The Corrupt “Virginia Way” Epitomized: Patron of Resolution Expressing “Gratitude and Admiration” for Dominion On Track for Powerful State Corporation Commission (SCC)?

How slimy and corrupt is the “Virginia Way?” How about this one. Seriously, former Sen. John Watkins (R), who patroned the following resolution literally expressing “gratitude and admiration” for Dominion, is on deck to be the next commissioner of Virginia’s powerful – but little known – State Corporation Commission (“regulatory agency whose authority encompasses utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, and railroads”). ” If this isn’t corrupt, what on earth is?

 
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 323Offered February 3, 2015Commending Dominion Resources, Inc.

———-Patrons– Watkins; Delegate: Kilgore———-WHEREAS, Dominion Resources, Inc., and its employees earned Electric Light & Power magazine’s 2014 Utility of the Year distinction; and

WHEREAS, Electric Light & Power has been a leading voice of the electric utility industry since 1922; and

WHEREAS, the publication’s editors rated Dominion on its customer satisfaction, philanthropic endeavors, infrastructure investments, environmental and sustainability initiatives, profitability, and management of market risks, among other metrics; and

WHEREAS, Dominion is headquartered in Richmond and is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy; and

WHEREAS, Dominion’s subsidiary, Dominion Virginia Power, has served electric customers in Virginia reliably and well since 1909; and

WHEREAS, Dominion Virginia Power serves 2.4 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental accounts in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the average Dominion Virginia Power customer lost power for 155 minutes in 2014, including major storms; it was the utility’s best year for customer reliability since 2001; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Dominion was recognized by G.I. Jobs magazine as one of the nation’s most military-friendly employers, by CR Magazine as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens, and by Forbes as one of the most admired companies in the electric and gas utilities sector; and

WHEREAS, countless Virginians remain grateful for Dominion’s outstanding service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dominion Resources, Inc., for winning Electric Light & Power magazine’s prestigious Utility of the Year designation for 2014; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thomas F. Farrell II, chair, president, and chief executive officer of Dominion Resources, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude and admiration for the company’s commitment to service.