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Ghazala Hashmi slams approval of Chesterfield gas plant
She argued that the approval undermines Virginia’s long-term commitments to renewable energy goals.
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Reuters - Wed, 26, Nov 2025
- 12:52 EST
- 12
Ghazala Hashmi / Image-X/@SenatorHashmi
Virginia Lt. Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi slammedthe State Corporation Commission’s approval of the gas-fired Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC), calling the decision a setback for Virginia’s clean-energy transition.
In a statement on Nov. 26, Hashmi, who represents the area where the proposed gas peaker plant will be built, said she has heard concerns from residents for nearly two years.
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“I have heard from those who live in this community as well as legislators from across the Commonwealth who understand not only what this decision means for the residents of Chesterfield County, but also the precedent it sets for Virginia,” she said.
She argued that the approval undermines Virginia’s long-term commitments to renewable energy goals.
“Rather than meeting Virginia’s commitments to transition to clean, renewable energy by 2050, this ruling by the State Corporation Commission takes Virginia backwards while also ignoring the Commonwealth’s policy on environmental justice, endangering the public health and safety of communities, and burdening families who are already financially strained with rate increases to cover the high costs of the plant,” she said.
Hashmi said cleaner and more affordable alternatives already exist and urged continued investment in solutions that align with environmental justice and long-term energy needs.
“ We must continue the Commonwealth’s investment in cleaner, more affordable solutions that advance environmental justice and meet Virginia’s energy needs,” she added.
The SCC’s approval allows Dominion Energy to proceed with the 944-megawatt natural-gas peaker plant on the site of the former Chesterfield coal station.
The project is estimated to cost about $1.47 billion, with the utility authorized to recover expenses through a new rider on customer bills. Regulators said the plant is needed to meet growing electricity demand and maintain grid reliability during peak-load periods and extreme weather.
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