Spanberger Declines to Call Special Session to Extend Dominion Merger Review Clock

Gov. Abigail Spanberger will not call a second special session to lengthen the State Corporation Commission's six-month window to decide the Dominion-NextEra merger, telling 14 Democratic legislators the General Assembly already in special session can convene if House and Senate leaders agree.

Without an extension, the SCC faces a mid-January 2027 deadline; failure to act would count as automatic approval under current law. Republican and Democratic lawmakers had sought up to a year for review, noting other state and federal regulators have longer clocks and that Virginia would decide first despite bearing the largest ratepayer consequences.

Spanberger has intervened in the SCC case and outlined non-negotiable tests on sustained bill savings, protection of Dominion workers and acceleration of affordable clean power. Sen. Danica Roem said leadership agreement to meet appears unlikely and urged making the strongest case for denial if the clock is not extended.

Company shareholders have already approved the transaction, and numerous localities and large customers have filed to participate in the docket.