The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on Monday denied Walmart’s request to purchase power from third-party suppliers.
The retailer had requested permission to leave utility companies Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power Co. to purchase power elsewhere.
The SCC determined Walmart’s departure would harm Dominion and APCo’s residential and small-business customers, who do not have the legal right to leave utilities to seek lower rates. The commission said the retailer’s departure would increase prices $65 million for Dominion customers and $4 million for APCo customers during the next 10 years.
In considering Walmart’s request, the commission said it also considered monthly bill electric bill increases during the past 10 years, which rose by $48, or 73 percent, for APCo customers, and $26, or 29 percent, for Dominion customers.
