Faith Leaders Urge Virginia Regulators to Reject Dominion-NextEra Merger

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Faith leaders and community advocates gathered outside the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) today to oppose NextEra Energy's proposed $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy. The rally highlighted the growing strain that rising electricity costs are placing on households, congregations, and neighborhoods in Virginia.

The proposed merger would place Dominion Energy under the control of Florida-based NextEra Energy, creating the largest energy corporation in the country. The looming threat of the merger has prompted significant concern from community members and public officials about rising electricity prices, corporate accountability, and who will bear the costs of Virginia's growing energy demand.

The faith leaders who gathered at the SCC today brought a moral dimension to the broader concerns, framing their opposition to the merger as a matter of economic justice, human dignity, and the ethical responsibility to care for neighbors. The rally was a call to action, urging the SCC to reject the merger and protect the ratepayers of Virginia.

The event was part of a larger effort by Progress Virginia, a nonprofit organization working to protect the interests of Virginia's working families and communities. The rally was held outside the Virginia State Corporation Commission building in Richmond, Virginia, and was attended by over 50 faith leaders and community advocates.

The faith leaders and community advocates emphasized that the merger could exacerbate the financial burden on families already struggling with rising utility costs. They argued that the merger would prioritize corporate profits over the needs of working families, small businesses, and communities in the Commonwealth.

The rally also highlighted the growing strain that rising electricity costs are placing on households, congregations, and neighborhoods. As electricity costs rise, families have increasingly turned to their faith communities for help paying their electric bills. The faith leaders described a feeling of sadness and helplessness as they are confronted with needs that they are increasingly unable to meet.

The rally was a powerful demonstration of the community's concern and a call to action for the SCC to reject the merger and protect the ratepayers of Virginia. The event was part of a broader effort by Progress Virginia to advocate for the interests of Virginia's working families and communities.