GASTONIA, N.C. (Oct. 18, 2021) – Dominion Energy North Carolina, North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) – Public Staff, the Carolina Utility Customers Association, Inc., and an industrial customer filed a comprehensive settlement agreement in the Company’s ongoing regulatory rate review.  

If approved by the NCUC, the settlement agreement provides a balanced, reasonable and cost-effective approach to support investments in natural gas service reliability, customer growth and new clean energy programs. The company provides natural gas to 600,000 North Carolinians and has invested in system reliability to serve more than 60,000 new customers over the last 5 years. It is also proposing a series of new clean energy programs to reduce emissions and help customers conserve energy.

Under the agreement, Dominion Energy North Carolina’s natural gas rates would increase by approximately 5% to support these investments. This would result in a $3 increase in the average residential customer’s monthly bill. The proposed adjustment is lower than the rate of inflation since the company’s last rate adjustment in 2016. Additionally, much of the increase will initially be offset by federal tax cut savings passed through to customers. 

“We’re grateful to all the stakeholders involved for their cooperative approach,” said Rusty Harris, Vice President and General Manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina’s natural gas business. “This agreement supports reliable service and more clean energy for our customers, while keeping our rates affordable. That’s a positive outcome for our customers and the environment.” 

The agreement includes three new clean energy programs:

• GreenTherm^TM – This voluntary program allows customers to support renewable natural gas projects that reduce emissions and combat climate change. 
• Energy Conservation Programs – Expanded energy conservation programs help customers reduce their energy use, which is good for the environment and their monthly bills. 
• Hydrogen Blending Pilot – A proposed pilot project would blend hydrogen in a test system, an important first step to make this new clean energy source available to customers.   

The new agreed-upon rates will go into effect on November 1 subject to the North Carolina Utilities Commission’s approval of the agreement. The new clean energy programs would become available in early 2022, if approved. Visit our website for more information about the regulatory rate review and the proposed clean energy programs.

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.

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