Virginia SCC Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center: What it Means for the Commonwealth
November 26th, 2025

November 26, 2025 – Yesterday afternoon, the Virginia State Corporation Commission officially approved Dominion Energy’s plan to build a new 944-megawatt natural-gas peaker plant in Chesterfield County, the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC). This decision marks an important step toward strengthening Virginia’s energy infrastructure at a time of rapidly growing demand.

In September, Keith Martin, Interim President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the project. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of dependable power to the Commonwealth’s long-term economic competitiveness:

“The Commonwealth must ensure businesses have access to dependable power, particularly during periods of high demand. This is a smart, forward-looking investment in Virginia’s energy and economic future.”

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Why This Matters for Virginia:

  • Growing energy demand requires reliable solutions: From households to businesses to the accelerating expansion of data centers, Virginia’s electricity needs continue to rise. Ensuring adequate, dependable power is essential to sustaining economic growth.
  • The CERC will bolster grid reliability during peak periods: As a natural-gas peaker facility, the CERC is designed to operate during the most extreme weather days (the hottest summers and coldest winters) when energy use spikes and the grid faces the greatest stress.
  • Regulatory certainty supports continued investment: The SCC’s approval provides the predictability businesses need to plan, invest, and expand in Virginia. A reliable energy system is a foundational element of a strong business climate. 

Moving Virginia Forward:

The Virginia Chamber will continue to champion policies that strengthen our energy infrastructure and support a competitive, thriving business environment. Ensuring reliable power isn’t just an operational necessity; it’s a strategic investment in the Commonwealth’s economic future.

Together, we can build a Virginia that remains a destination for innovation, growth, and opportunity. We look forward to unveiling Blueprint Virginia 2035 next Friday at our Virginia Economic and Forum on International Trade, which will outline policy priorities critical to our energy infrastructure and beyond. Register today at https://vachamber.com/event/2025-virginia-economic-summit-and-forum-on-international-trade/.