Griffith Urges Spanberger to Protect SWVA Coal, Lower Energy Costs in Proposed NextEra Dominion Merger

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger recently announced she is going to intervene with the State Corporation Commission regarding the proposed merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy. This merger will impact electric ratepayers, utility jobs and Virginia's energy future. It would affect control over one of Virginia's last remaining coal-fired power plants, the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul, Virginia. Currently, Dominion Energy owns the clean coal facility, which has supported local jobs and cleaned up millions of tons of waste coal in Southwest Virginia since Dominion opened the facility in 2012.

In response to the proposed merger and recent government intervention, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued a letter to Governor Spanberger urging her support for the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center.

In addition to his letter, Congressman Griffith released the following statement:

"Governor Spanberger says she is participating in the NextEra Dominion merger case to protect the interests of all Virginians.

"I agree that our regulators must carefully examine electric rates and enhance our Commonwealth's energy security. Therefore, what also must be considered during this review process is the impact that such a merger would have on the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County.

"Growing electricity demands and electric grid constraints mean we need to have more, not less, sources of energy available. I urge the Governor to work to ensure this merger does not prematurely close a world-class coal plant that supports Southwest Virginia communities."

BACKGROUND

In February 2026, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event touting Beautiful Clean Coal.

Congressman Griffith is Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event where President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry.

Later in 2025, Congressman Griffith voted to codify one of these executive measures to reestablish the National Coal Council.

In May 2025, Congressman Griffith celebrated the Department of Energy's announcement to designate metallurgical coal as a critical material.

In June 2025, Congressman Griffith penned an op-ed on federal policies that can help bolster America's electric grid.

Coal continues to play an essential role in meeting domestic energy demands. During Winter Storm Fern this year, a 31% jump in coal generation helped the electric grid meet peak demand. For PJM Interconnection, which serves Virginia and 12 other states, coal accounted for a major portion of the energy generation mix.

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