RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia state senator says the public is growing increasingly unhappy with Dominion Energy’s political clout and wants lawmakers to curb it.
Sen. Chap Petersen unveiled several pieces of legislation at a Capitol news conference Thursday, including a ban against regulated monopolies like Dominion from making state-level political contributions.
Dominion is the largest corporate political giver in Virginia and Petersen said those donations have bought it too much influence. Dominion’s clout has been a major talking point in Virginia’s 2017 gubernatorial race.
Petersen also wants to undo a 2015 law that temporarily froze state review and adjustment of part of Dominion’s rates, which critics say are too high.
Dominion spokesman David Botkins said the law protects consumers and the company has previously defended its right to participate in politics.
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