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Good to see from Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi; at the bare minimum, Virginia should subject this proposed acquistion to intense scrutiny, taking however long is necessary to do so – not just six months!
Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi Launches Energy Costs Listening Tour to Hear Directly from Virginians on Proposed Dominion-NextEra Takeover
RICHMOND, Va. — Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi today announced the launch of the Energy Costs Listening Tour, a series of community conversations across Virginia focused on the proposed takeover of Dominion Energy by NextEra Energy and what it could mean for utility bills, communities, and Virginia’s energy future.
The tour will make stops in Loudoun, Hampton Roads, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Roanoke, bringing together local elected officials, energy experts, and community members. Each stop will give Virginians an opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and share their perspectives on one of the largest proposed utility acquisitions in the nation’s history. The conversations are designed to ensure the voices of Virginia families, businesses, and local leaders are heard as the Commonwealth evaluates the potential impacts of the proposed acquisition.
“An acquisition of this size and significance requires a thorough, transparent review,” Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi said. “Virginians deserve the opportunity to understand what this proposal could mean for their utility bills, their community, and our shared energy future. These conversations are about listening, sharing information, and ensuring the public has a meaningful voice before a decision of this magnitude is made.”
The proposed takeover would reshape Virginia’s electric system for decades to come, yet current law requires state regulators to complete their review in just six months. Lt. Gov. Hashmi has previously called for a more thorough review process, including additional time for legislative oversight, to help ensure the proposal is evaluated carefully and in the best interests of Virginia families rather than out-of-state corporate interests.
Each stop on the Energy Costs Listening Tour will feature remarks from elected officials and subject matter experts, opportunities for attendees to ask questions, and dedicated time for community members to share their concerns, experiences, and priorities.
Input gathered throughout the tour will help inform ongoing conversations about Virginia’s energy future and reinforce the importance of a transparent, accountable review process.
For more information about the Energy Costs Listening Tour, visit VAEnergyTour.com.
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Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi spent nearly 30 years as an educator before entering public service, experiences that continue to shape her commitment to expanding opportunity for Virginia families. After serving six years in the Virginia Senate, she was elected Virginia’s 43rd Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the United States and the first South Asian American elected statewide in Virginia. As a mother of two and the daughter of immigrants, she is dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of all Virginians.
