RICHMOND, Va. – Dominion Energy is reporting a recent 10-fold increase in spending aimed at influencing Virginia politicians. That spending came as the utility was pushing for a new law that could lead to higher electric bills.
Newly filed lobbying disclosure forms show Dominion spent more than $1 million on lobbyists, entertainment, meals and communications from May 2017 to the end of April 2018. That’s about 10 times what the company said it spent in last year’s filing.
Company spokesman David Botkins says the increase included “grassroots activity,” TV ads, and other spending in support of a law passed during this year’s legislative session.
The law puts new limits on regulators’ ability to lower utilities’ electric rates while making it easier for utilities to build renewable energy projects and improve the electric grid.
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