GASTONIA, N.C. (April 1, 2021) – To support ongoing investments in service reliability, customer growth and clean energy programs, Dominion Energy North Carolina is requesting its first rate review and adjustment with the North Carolina Utilities Commission since 2016.

The company has made significant investments in system reliability to serve more than 60,000 new customers since 2016. Going forward, the company expects new customer growth to continue around 2.5% each year across its service territory, which reaches from the Research Triangle to the Charlotte suburbs and Asheville. The company is also proposing a series of new clean energy programs to protect the environment and help customers reduce their energy use.

To support these investments, the company is requesting a 7.27% net adjustment to its natural gas rates, which would result in a $4 increase in the average residential customers’ monthly bill. The proposed adjustment is lower than the rate of inflation since 2016. The Commission will conduct public hearings this summer, and if approved, new rates would go into effect in the late Fall.

“Every day, more North Carolinians are signing up for natural gas service in their homes and businesses,” said Shaun Randall, General Manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina Gas. “We’ve invested in our system to reliably serve these new customers. At the same time, we’re proposing new clean energy programs that are good for the environment and our customers’ pocketbooks. This rate review will allow us to continue investing in our customers and clean energy, while keeping our rates affordable.”

Customer Financial Assistance

Throughout the pandemic, Dominion Energy North Carolina has provided a range of assistance programs to help customers who are struggling financially.

“The needs of our customers always come first,” said Randall. “We know some of our customers are struggling financially due to the pandemic, and we’re here to help,” said Randall. “We’re offering a range of financial assistance and payment plan options to help our customers get through this difficult time.”

The company has expanded its bill assistance programs and offers a range of payment plans for customers struggling to keep up with their monthly bills. More information about all of these options is available at dominionenergync.com/assistance or the Dominion Energy app.

Clean Energy Programs

To protect the environment and help customers lower their energy use, Dominion Energy North Carolina is proposing several new clean energy programs: 

• GreenTherm^TM – This voluntary program allows customers to support renewable natural gas projects that help improve the environment and combat climate change. Learn more about how this program works for Dominion Energy’s customers in Utah.
• Energy Conservation Programs – The proposed expansion of the company’s energy conservation program will help customers reduce their energy use, which is good for the environment and their monthly bills. Learn more about Dominion Energy North Carolina’s conservation programs.
• Hydrogen Blending Pilot – Two proposed pilot projects would blend hydrogen into a test system at the company’s training facilities, an important first step in making this new source of clean energy available to our customers. Learn more about the environmental benefits of hydrogen.

About Dominion Energy 
More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.