One-hundred and six years ago, the SCC, as granted in the state constitution by way of the General Assembly, was vested with regulatory authority over many business and economic interests in Virginia, including the banking, financial & insurance, public utilities & telecommunication, railways, and public service taxation.
The SCC's chief goals are to:
* Assure that Virginians receive quality service from regulated public service businesses at reasonable prices* Assure that regulated companies are financially sound and capable of meeting their obligations to the public
* Provide assistance to Virginians who have valid disputes with regulated companies
* Adopt rules and regulations that keep pace with the requirements of social and technological changes
* Consider the environmental impact of certain electric generating and transmission facilities proposed for construction in Virginia by regulated utilities.
Last fall after 19-years of service, the fairly libertarian-minded Theodore Morrison announced his retirement as a commissioner with the SCC. By March 5th, Virginians will probably know who will join the commisssion to decide these high-profile cases involving Dominion Power. But because of some political jostling, the Republican controlled House of Delegates may have the upperhand in naming the next commissioner.
In the coming months the SCC will decide on two 500kv extra high-voltage transmission lines in Northern Virgina, a natural gas generation center in Caroline County, the Wise County Coal and Wood Waste power station, an upcoming Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan, and future proposals regarding wind and nuclear generation, as well as enforcing the renewable and efficiency & conservation standards passed in Virginia's Energy Plan last year.
Knowing what we already know about Dominion Power, would you trust the Republicans House majority to decide who is best suited to ensure Dominion will "keep pace with the requirements of social and technological changes" and will "consider the environmental impact of certain electric generating and transmission facilities?"
To avoid a political fistfight with Republicans over unsettled political issues, last December Governor Kaine deferred the appointment of the next SCC commissioner to the General Assembly.
Earlier this month without garnering much attention, it was reported the Republican House majority would threaten to block Governor Kaine's appointees to the State Supreme Court and the State Court of Appeals, if they (the Republicans) were not allowed to chose the next SCC commissioner. Soon after, however, the House Republicans backed down from their threats and joined the Democrats and unanimously approved both appointees.
Instead of playing a game of chicken with the Democratic Senate majority to grab power, did House Republicans back down from their threats from a position of weakness, or did they actually work out a compromise with a weaker Senate majority? Since the approval of the judical appointees, there has been no new news out of Richmond on the SCC appointment; and with Governor Kaine's deferment set to expires on March 5th, I would suspect an announcement from the General Assembly is likely very soon.
If you are uncomfortable with the chance the House Republican majority will appoint someone who endorses the slow moving, pro-Dominion energy platform, then I would suggest you contact your local state legislative representatives NOW, and advise them you wish they appoint a commissioner who has both the mental and the moral capacity to ensure Dominion will "keep pace with the requirements of social and technological changes" and will "consider the environmental impact of certain electric generating and transmission facilities."