 |
|
      |
|
What Does Dominion Do?Dominion continues to lobby against the auction of pollution permits under RGGI. In an auction they would pay for the right to pollute, with proceeds going to consumer benefits like energy efficiency. Instead, Dominion has just asked for the valuable permits to be given to polluters for free. • At the beginning of his term, Gov. Patrick enthusiastically signed onto RGGI. And now that we have joined, Dominion is trying to weaken the regional pact. • The pollution permit allocation system that Dominion is advocating for will result in windfall profits. If Dominion is successful, Bay State consumers will lose money for energy efficiency programs that would ultimately reduce their utility bills. The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources found that using RGGI auction proceeds to double energy efficiency in the Commonwealth could cut residential electricity bills by over $100 over time. Download a report about this. (PDF) Dominion’s Brayton Point power plant pollutes Mount Hope Bay, and the company has fought to stall progress on pollution standards that would protect the bay. Like the former owner of the Brayton Point power plant, Dominon has fought to hold onto its damaging water pollution permit. The permit allows the Brayton Point plant to suck up one billion gallons of cold water each day from the Lee and Taunton rivers and then dump the heated water back into Mount Hope Bay. The heated water damages the aquatic ecosystem and is linked to the destruction of its fisheries. A 1996 study by Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife showed an 87 percent decline in Mount Hope Bay fish populations from 1984 through 1996 following an engineering change at the Brayton Point power plant. Subsequent surveys have shown no recovery.The Environmental Protection Agency moved to require upgrades in the water system at the plant to reduce the impact to the bay, but Dominon has used the appeals process to delay and fight the original ruling. Both Massachusetts and Rhode Island have joined in upholding the ruling against Dominion. Dominion has a history of lobbying against the public interest. • In 1999, for example, Dominion was instrumental in passing legislation that deregulated Virginia’s electricity system – over the objections of the state’s own state utility regulator, which said the deregulation plan would hurt consumers.• Dominion has been significantly involved state and national politics. Their high political profile motivated shareholders, led by Trillium Asset Management, to file a shareholder resolution in 2006 asking for disclosure of Dominion’s contributions and participation in political activities. • Recently, Dominion successfully pressured the Virginia General Assembly into “re-regulating” the electricity markets. This bill will allow Dominion to raise the cost of electricity to build dirty coal plants and dangerous nuclear plants. Already, Dominion has proposed raising electricity rates. What Dominion Does NOT Do: Dominion does not appear to respect the concerns of residents in host communities, and is often considered a difficult neighbor. Dominion does not support climate friendly energy policy. Dominion has not taken the opportunity to be a climate leader and instead continues with business-as-usual, assuring the worst impacts of global warming for the Commonwealth. Home | Info | Contact Us | Take Action Copyright © 2004 New England
Climate Coalition. Updated April 19, 2007
|
|