Hashmi Hears Hampton Roads Pushback on Dominion NextEra Takeover Clock

Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi told a Norfolk crowd she neither supports nor opposes the Dominion-NextEra merger yet while residents warned the State Corporation Commission's six-month clock is too short, WHRO reported.

More than 150 people packed the Slover library stop on Hashmi's energy-cost listening tour after an outdoor rally. Community organizer Kim Sudderth said households already stretch dollars and fear higher bills. Researcher Shelby Green of the Energy and Policy Institute said NextEra's Florida Power and Light disconnected more than a million households in a recent year while posting large profits.

Hashmi said she is waiting for answers to more than 60 questions for commissioners and asked whether the deal will lower costs or improve service. Del. Phil Hernandez said the merger should not proceed if it fails the affordability test. Gov. Abigail Spanberger and legislative leaders have declined to extend the review timeline.