A recent ad run by Dominion on electric need visually summed up their approach to energy, according to Matt Sheedy, president of Virginians for Sensible Energy Policies (VSEP), "Dominion used an old-style energy-inefficient light bulb as the visual in their ad," he said.

VSEP is a newly formed coalition of Virginia residents including local groups, electric customers, families, farmers, workers and citizens of all ages. "We initially organized to fight the proposed 500-kilovolt transmission lines in Northern Virginia that experts deem unnecessary. Through this process, we have become aware of the fact that Virginia's energy policy ranks as one of the worst in the nation," Sheedy explained.

Last in the Country

According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy in their 2006 report, A Nationwide Assessment of Utility Sector Energy Efficiency Spending, Savings and Integration with Utility System Resource Acquisition, Virginia ranks last in the country in terms of energy efficiency and investment in energy efficient technology. An article in Public Utilities Fortnightly (January, 2007) ranks Dominion as the top utility company in the nation in dollars spent on capital build-out. This helps make Dominion one of the most profitable utility companies in the country but does not make Virginia more energy efficient, nor does it protect Virginia ratepayers.

The proposed forty-mile transmission line of massive and unneeded power towers through some of the most historic and scenic countryside in the state is indicative of our broken energy policy," Sheedy continues. "Electric companies such as Dominion have financially incentives to build transmission lines with a ratepayer guaranteed return on investment of up to twelve-and-a-half percent. There is no financial incentive to seek alternative, energy-efficient and environmentally-sensitive methods."

In 2005, the North American Electric Reliability Council found, in a ten-year outlook, that power capacity in Virginia is "...not a reliability concern at this time."

"We believe that Virginia can meet all of its future energy needs through a comprehensive state energy plan that promotes the use of modern technology and energy efficiency," states Sheedy.

A comprehensive state energy plan promoting the use of modern technology and energy efficiency will also eliminate the towering chains of fifteen-story towers proposed to carve a permanent scar across the Virginia Piedmont.

Dominion's portion of this multi-billion dollar project will be paid for by all Dominion Virginia ratepayers no matter where they live. It will primarily transport electricity from dirty coal-fired plants in the Midwest, through Virginia to the northeast.

Sensible Energy Policies

VSEP's goal is to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for the Commonwealth while respecting the environment, historical heritage, property rights and the prerogatives of state and local governments. VSEP seeks to assist in implementing sensible, responsible energy policies that will:

• Keep the cost of energy reasonable for Virginia ratepayers;
• Protect Virginia's precious natural resources;
• Generate greater energy efficiency;
• Ensure a vibrant business climate; and
• Permit all energy providers in the Commonwealth to operate in a regulatory framework that provides reliable, efficient energy to our citizens.

"It is our hope that we can all work together to bring Virginia from the bottom of the list on energy efficiency, to the top of the list," says Sheedy.

"We are hopeful that our leaders will listen to the concerns of citizens and that Dominion will hear and act on what the ratepayers have to say. We have the opportunity to protect our precious natural resources before it's too late."

Virginias for Sensible Energy Policies (VSEP) is a coalition of local groups, electric customers, families, farmers, workers and citizens of all ages. VSEP is organized to study energy policy, educate the public, and litigate to protect the environment and property rights. For more information, visit the Web at www.EnergyPolicies.org.