Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Attorney General
Press Release
Attorney General Cuccinelli commented on a legal victory for Dominion customers that should result in lower relative electric bills. In a decision released this morning, the Virginia Supreme Court affirmed a decision of the State Corporation Commission (SCC) regarding Dominion Virginia Power's recently concluded base rate case. The court rejected the arguments advanced by Dominion, which would have allowed Dominion to earn a higher return on equity from customers than the SCC's interpretation of Virginia law allows.
Attorney General Cuccinelli and his office represented Dominion's two million-plus customers in the appeal. These customers will benefit as a result of the court's decision. By statute, the attorney general represents the interests of electric ratepayers in such proceedings.
"I am pleased with today's result. We believe that both the SCC and the court were correct in their interpretation of the law" said Cuccinelli. "Customers will ultimately pay less for electricity because we were successful in the appeal. This will not only benefit Dominion customers, but Virginia's economy as a whole. Inexpensive, reliable power is necessary to drive Virginia's economic engine," said Cuccinelli.
The case is Virginia Electric & Power Co. v. SCC, Record Nos. 120519 &120520. A copy of the opinion can be found at http://www.courts.state.va.us/opinions/opnscvwp/1120519.pdf
