The Virginia Corporation Commission on Dec. 7 directed Dominion Energy Inc. to refile its 2018 integrated resource plan finding that the company failed to establish that the proposal is reasonable and in the public interest. The commission found that the plan includes resources that were not subject to modeling on a least-cost basis.
The company did not include modeling for some of the mandates contained in the Grid Transformation and Security Act that took effect in July, allowing for increases in renewable energy. The agency pointed that Dominion failed to model $870 million in energy efficiency programs and battery storage pilot required by the legislation, and did not include costs associated with a transmission line undergrounding pilot.
Last month, in approving the Dominion’s proposal to build a 12-megawatt offshore wind project, the commission noted that the project “would not be deemed prudent” given that economic benefits are speculative and risks will be borne by customers, but the approval is based on the state law which requires that such projects be found to be in the public interest.
The commission said the updated plan should incorporate modeling that evaluate mandates under the law, and revised load forecasting and solar factor. Dominion has 90 days to refile its plan.