History of Dominion Energy in Timeline

Dominion Energy, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is an American energy company providing electricity to Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They also supply natural gas to parts of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. In addition, Dominion operates generation facilities in Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, making them a significant player in the energy sector across several states.

1901: Water Rights Passed

In 1901, the water rights were passed to the newly formed Virginia Passenger & Power Company.

June 29, 1909: Virginia Railway & Power Company Founded

On June 29, 1909, Frank Jay Gould founded Dominion's closest direct corporate ancestor, the Virginia Railway & Power Company, which soon after acquired Virginia Passenger & Power.

1925: Name Change to VEPCO

In 1925, the company's name was changed to the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO), operating as a regulated monopoly.

1940: Service Territory Doubled

In 1940, VEPCO doubled its service territory by merging with the Virginia Public Service Company.

1944: Transit Operations Sold

In 1944, VEPCO sold its transit operations.

1980: Branding as Virginia Power

In 1980, VEPCO began branding itself as "Virginia Power" and its North Carolina operations as "North Carolina Power."

1985: Distribution Operations Split

In 1985, Dominion split its distribution operations between Virginia Power and North Carolina Power.

1986: Territory Expansion

In 1986, Dominion expanded its territory by purchasing the Virginia distribution territory of Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO).

1987: Sale of West Virginia Assets

In 1987, Dominion sold its West Virginia assets to Utilicorp United, branding it as West Virginia Power, but retained ownership of the Mount Storm Power Station.

1999: West Virginia Power Sold to Allegheny Energy

In 1999, West Virginia Power was sold to Allegheny Energy and folded into its Monongahela Power subsidiary.

2000: Acquisition of Consolidated Natural Gas Company (CNG)

In 2000, Dominion bought Consolidated Natural Gas Company (CNG) of Pittsburgh, adding natural gas service to its energy delivery network.

2000: Re-branding to Dominion

In 2000, Dominion re-branded all of its operations to Dominion from Virginia and North Carolina Power as well as Consolidated Gas to create a more unified energy company.

2001: Acquisition of Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Company

In 2001, Dominion bought Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Company, further expanding its natural gas delivery network.

2001: Dominion Cove Point LNG Reopening Concerns

In 2001, local residents voiced concerns about the reopening of Dominion's Dominion Cove Point LNG subsidiary due to its proximity to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, fearing potential damage from attacks or explosions. Residents believed that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had not adequately considered these risks.

2002: Dominion Toxicant Emissions

In 2002, Dominion was responsible for various toxicant emissions, including gastrointestinal, liver, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and skin or sense organ toxicants.

2003: Ongoing Dispute Started

In 2003, an ongoing dispute began that was later resolved in December 2007, between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Dominion Energy of Brayton Point.

2005: Dominion Resources Toxic Score

In 2005, Dominion Resources Toxic Score was recorded at 117,712, ranking 19th among corporations emitting airborne pollutants in the United States.

2005: Washington Gas Claims About Natural Gas

In 2005, Washington Gas claimed that the natural gas imported by Dominion was too "hot," causing problems for its customers and breaking many mains. Dominion denied these claims, asserting that expanding the service area would not cause additional leaks.

February 13, 2007: Report on Transmission Line Route Change

On February 13, 2007, The Washington Post reported that Dominion was planning to change the route of a 500 kV transmission line to appease critics in Northern Virginia.

December 2007: Settlement Between EPA and Dominion Energy of Brayton Point

In December 2007, a settlement between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Dominion Energy of Brayton Point called for the company's power generating plant to install new closed cycle cooling towers, protecting aquatic organisms in Mount Hope Bay.

2007: Sale of Natural Gas and Oil Exploration and Production Business

In 2007, Dominion sold most of its Houston-based natural gas and oil exploration and production business for nearly $14 billion to refocus on core electric and gas operations.

2007: Sale of Dominion Exploration and Production Assets

In 2007, Dominion sold the majority of its oil and natural gas exploration and production assets to focus on electric generation, energy distribution, transmission, storage and retail businesses.

February 15, 2008: SCC Approves Transmission Line Proposal

On February 15, 2008, the SCC approved a controversial proposal for a 230 kV Dominion Virginia transmission line.

March 5, 2008: Emergency Legislation Passed

On March 5, 2008, the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed emergency legislation ordering the SCC to approve underground construction of the 230 kV transmission line.

April 2, 2008: Legislation Approved by Governor

On April 2, 2008, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine approved the legislation requiring underground construction of the 230 kV transmission line.

June 2008: Construction Begins on Coal Fired Power Station

In June 2008, Dominion began constructing a 605 MWe coal fired power station in Wise County, Virginia.

September 2008: Site Blockaded by Activists

In September 2008, the site of Dominion's coal fired power station construction in Wise County was blockaded by activists from the Rainforest Action Network.

October 7, 2008: Proposal Accepted by SCC

On October 7, 2008, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) accepted Dominion's proposal for the 500 kV transmission line.

2008: Dominion Resources Toxic Score

In 2008, Dominion Resources Toxic Score was recorded at 58,642, ranking 27th among corporations emitting airborne pollutants in the United States.

2008: Dominion PAC Donations

In 2008, the Dominion PAC donated $539,038, with 50% going to Republicans and 47% to Democrats.

December 2009: Construction Reaches Halfway Point

As of December 2009, construction of the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County, Virginia had reached the halfway point.

2009: Dominion PAC Donations

In 2009, the Dominion Political Action Committee (PAC) donated a total of $814,885, with 56% going to Republicans and 41% to Democrats.

2010: Allegheny Energy Acquired by FirstEnergy

In 2010, Allegheny Energy subsidiaries were acquired by FirstEnergy.

2010: Political Economy Research Institute Ranking

In 2010, the Political Economy Research Institute ranked Dominion Resources 51st among corporations emitting airborne pollutants in the United States.

2010: Publication of Dominion’s First Century: A Legacy of Service

In 2010, the book "Dominion’s First Century: A Legacy of Service" about the company's 100-year history was published.

2012: Scheduled Completion of Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center

The Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center was scheduled to be fully operational in mid-2012.

February 2016: Announcement of Acquisition of Questar Corporation

In February 2016, Dominion Resources announced it would be acquiring Questar Corporation.

September 2016: Acquisition of Questar Corporation

In September 2016, Dominion Energy acquired Questar Corporation, expanding its operations into the Western United States, including parts of Utah and Wyoming.

2016: Benjamin J. Lambert, III, Volunteer of the Year Program honorees

In 2016, twelve employees from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia were selected for Dominion's Benjamin J. Lambert, III, Volunteer of the Year Program.

2016: Dominion PAC Contributions

In the 2016 election cycle, the Dominion PAC contributed $1,276,016.17 to various political candidates and committees.

2017: Benjamin J. Lambert, III, Volunteer of the Year Program

2017 was the thirty-third year of Dominion's Benjamin J. Lambert, III, Volunteer of the Year Program, recognizing top company volunteers with a $1000 donation to their chosen charity.

2017: Rebrand to Dominion Energy

In 2017, Dominion Resources rebranded itself to Dominion Energy, introducing a new logo as part of the change.

2017: Fortune 500 Listing

In 2017, Dominion was listed as #238 on the Fortune 500.

May 2018: Groundbreaking of Atlantic Coast Pipeline

In May 2018, Dominion broke ground on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Lewis County, West Virginia.

2018: "Grid Transformation Program" Launched

In the summer of 2018, Dominion Energy launched a "grid transformation program" aiming to build 3,000 megawatts of new solar and wind energy by 2022, authorized by the Grid Transformation & Security Act.

January 2019: Acquisition of SCANA Corporation

In January 2019, Dominion Energy completed its acquisition of SCANA Corporation, further expanding its energy portfolio.

July 2020: Cancellation of Atlantic Coast Pipeline

In July 2020, Dominion and Duke Energy canceled the Atlantic Coast Pipeline due to cost increases from lawsuits.

July 2020: Sale of Assets to Berkshire Hathaway

In July 2020, Dominion announced plans to sell natural gas transmission and storage assets to Berkshire Hathaway for an estimated $10 billion.

December 2020: Keel Laying for Offshore WTIV Charybdis

In December 2020, the keel was laid for the Charybdis, the Jones Act-compliant offshore WTIV for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, under construction in Brownsville, Texas.

2020: Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2020, Dominion responded to the coronavirus pandemic by stopping service disconnects for non-payment, helping disconnected customers reconnect, and waiving late and reconnection fees. The company also directed its charitable foundation to provide $1 million in aid.

2021: Passage of West Virginia's Critical Infrastructure Protection Act

Lobbyists for Dominion worked to pass West Virginia's Critical Infrastructure Protection Act in 2021, creating felony penalties for trespassing offenses targeting oil and gas facilities.

February 2022: Sale of Dominion Energy West Virginia

In February 2022, Dominion Energy sold its subsidiary, Dominion Energy West Virginia, to Hearthstone Utilities Inc. for $690 million; the company continues operating as Hope Gas.

2022: Grid Transformation Program target year.

In 2022, Dominion Energy's "Grid Transformation Program" aimed to build 3,000 megawatts of new solar and wind energy.

2022: Electric Production Sources

In 2022, Dominion Energy's total electric production came from coal (18%), nuclear power (23%), natural gas (48%), and hydroelectricity and other renewables (11%).

September 2023: Enbridge to Acquire Assets from Dominion

In September 2023, Enbridge agreed to acquire East Ohio Gas, Questar Gas, and Public Service Co. of North Carolina from Dominion for $14 billion.

August 12, 2025: Lightning Strike on Dominion Energy Infrastructure

On August 12, 2025, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, a lightning strike hit Dominion Energy infrastructure, causing a massive fireball, captured on dashcam footage released by police.

2026: Target Completion of CVOW Project

Dominion plans for all turbines of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, or CVOW, project to be in place by 2026, adding over 2,600 megawatts of clean energy to their grid.