Dominion Energy NC requests first rate adjustment in five years
Dominion Energy North Carolina is requesting a rate adjustment with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, its first since 2016.
The new rate plan reflects the company’s investments in service reliability, customer growth, and clean energy programs. To support these investments, the company is requesting a 7.27 percent increase to its natural gas rates, which would result in a $4 jump in the average residential customers’ monthly bill. The new rates would go into effect in the fall of 2021, pending approvals.
“Every day, more North Carolinians are signing up for natural gas service in their homes and businesses,” Shaun Randall, general manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina Gas, said. “We’ve invested in our system to reliably serve these new customers. At the same time, we’re proposing new clean energy programs that are good for the environment and our customers’ pocketbooks. This rate review will allow us to continue investing in our customers and clean energy while keeping our rates affordable.”
Dominion Energy North Carolina will continue to offer a range of assistance programs and payment plans to help customers struggling financially.
“The needs of our customers always come first,” Randall said. “We know some of our customers are struggling financially due to the pandemic, and we’re here to help. We’re offering a range of financial assistance and payment plan options to help our customers get through this difficult time.”
Among the recent investments, the company has established several new clean energy programs. One is GreenTherm – a voluntary program that allows customers to support renewable natural gas projects that help improve the environment and combat climate change. Two proposed pilot projects would also blend hydrogen into a test system at the company’s training facilities. This is an important first step in making this new source of clean energy available to customers.
Dominion Energy North Carolina is a subsidiary of Dominion Energy.
