Hearing Officer Rules NextEra's Florida Political History Fair Game in $67B Dominion Deal Review
In the regulatory review of NextEra Energy's $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, a hearing officer ruled October 2 that opponents may introduce evidence about NextEra's alleged political interference in Florida, WHRO and Virginia Mercury reported.
Consumer advocates argue NextEra's reported funding of "ghost candidates" and other Florida political operations bears on its fitness as an owner in one of the largest utility acquisitions in U.S. history. NextEra countered that the allegations are irrelevant to the deal's public-interest review.
If approved, the deal would reshape the power map of the Southeast and Atlantic coast. The Virginia State Corporation Commission's review is expected to run for months, covering rate impacts, reliability, grid-investment commitments, and other core issues.
The ruling means opponents may call witnesses and present Florida political-spending records at formal hearings. The SCC's final decision will determine the supplier for millions of Virginia electricity customers, and all sides are preparing for lengthy proceedings.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 弗吉尼亚州议会大厦，Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0，摄影：Smash the Iron Cage
