Electricity Costs And Data Centers: Forum Planned By Subramanyam

ASHBURN, VA — Amid recent decisions on electricity rates for Virginia's largest electric utility, Loudoun County's congressman will host a forum on data centers, electricity costs and power lines.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Loudoun), who represents the 10th congressional district, announced plans for town hall-style conversations on data centers, power lines, and higher electric costs. The first event will be Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Stone Hill Middle School in Ashburn.

Each attendee will have 90 seconds to share their thoughts at the forum on data centers, rising energy costs and pending transmission line projects. Residents are asked to RSVP to attend.

Data centers and the impact on electricity is a hot button issue in Loudoun County. Ashburn is nicknamed "Data Center Alley" for having the world's largest concentration of data centers. There are various transmission line projects being planned in Loudoun County, including the Golden to Mars with public comments being accepted through 5 p.m. on Dec. 9.

SEE ALSO: Golden To Mars Final Public Hearing Approaches: How Residents Can Participate

The State Corporation Commission makes decisions for transmission line projects as well as rate increases for utilities like Dominion Energy. Last week, the SCC issued a final order on new electricity rates for Dominion Energy customers. A new GS-5 rate class for large-scale users like data centers requiring 25 megawatts or more will start on Jan. 1, 2027. In addition, the SCC said certain large-scale customers will have to meet requirements like paying a minimum of 85 percent of contracted distribution and transmission demand and 60 percent of generation demand. The action is intended to protect electricity ratepayers from the cost of constructing new infrastructure for users like data centers.

In addition to introducing the new rate class, the SCC approved electricity base rate increases of $565.7 million in 2026 and $209.9 million in 2027 for Dominion Energy. That was lower than the base rate increases of $822 million in 2026 and $345 million for 2027 that Dominion Energy sought. The approved rates mean a typical residential customer would see $11.26 monthly increases in 2026 and $2.36 in 2027. Those increased rates are 23.7 percent and 51.2 percent lower than what Dominion Energy requested.

The SCC also approved an increase in Dominion’s authorized return on equity from 9.7 percent to 9.8 percent, which is below the company's requested 10.4 percent.