History of Dominion Energy in Timeline

Dominion Energy is an American energy company based in Richmond, Virginia. It provides electricity to areas of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The company also supplies natural gas to portions of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Additionally, Dominion maintains power generation facilities in Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

1901: Water Rights Pass to Virginia Passenger & Power Company

In 1901, the water rights from the Upper Appomattox Company passed to the newly formed Virginia Passenger & Power Company, marking a significant transition in the company's early history.

June 29, 1909: Founding of Virginia Railway & Power Company

On June 29, 1909, Frank Jay Gould founded Virginia Railway & Power Company, a direct corporate ancestor of Dominion Energy, which soon acquired Virginia Passenger & Power.

1925: Name change to Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO)

In 1925, Virginia Railway & Power Company changed its name to the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO), becoming a regulated monopoly.

1940: VEPCO Doubles Service Territory

In 1940, VEPCO doubled its service territory through a merger with the Virginia Public Service Company, expanding its reach.

1944: Sale of Transit Operations

In 1944, VEPCO sold its transit operations, focusing on its core electric and power business.

1980: Branding as Virginia Power and North Carolina Power

In 1980, VEPCO began branding itself as "Virginia Power" in Virginia and "North Carolina Power" in North Carolina, creating distinct regional identities.

1985: Distribution Operations Split

In 1985, Dominion split its distribution operations between two companies: Virginia Power, for operations in Virginia and the Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia, and North Carolina Power, for operations in North Carolina.

1986: Expansion in Northern Virginia

In 1986, Dominion expanded its territory in Northern Virginia 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, which became West Virginia Power, while retaining ownership of the Mount Storm Power Station in West Virginia.

1999: West Virginia Power Sold to Allegheny Energy

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

2000: Acquisition of Consolidated Natural Gas Company (CNG)

In 2000, Dominion acquired Consolidated Natural Gas Company (CNG) of Pittsburgh, adding natural gas service to its energy delivery network in the Northeastern U.S. markets.

2000: Re-branding to Dominion

In 2000, Dominion re-branded all of its operations, including Virginia Power, North Carolina Power, and Consolidated Gas, under the unified name "Dominion" to create a more cohesive 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 regarding the reopening of Dominion's Dominion Cove Point LNG subsidiary. Their worries stemmed from the plant's proximity to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (only 3 miles away) and the potential damage an attack or explosion could cause. Residents felt the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hadn't adequately considered these risks before allowing the plant to reopen.

2002: Toxicant Emissions

In 2002, Dominion was responsible for various toxicant emissions, including 1,110,703 pounds of gastrointestinal or liver toxicants, 1,440,000 pounds of musculoskeletal toxicants, 1,489,763 pounds of suspected respiratory toxicants, and 1,478,383 pounds of suspected skin or sense organ toxicants, among other suspected hazardous emissions.

2005: Washington Gas "Hot" Natural Gas Claim

In 2005, Washington Gas alleged that the natural gas imported by Dominion at the plant was too "hot," implying a lower heavy hydrocarbon content and a higher burning temperature. Washington Gas argued this "hot" gas caused issues for customers and led to numerous main breaks. Dominion refuted these claims, asserting the imported gas wasn't responsible and that expanding the service area wouldn't lead to more leaks in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia suburbs.

February 13, 2007: Report on Proposed 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, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Dominion Energy of Brayton Point reached a settlement concerning the company's power generating plant. The settlement required the plant to install new closed cycle cooling towers to protect aquatic organisms in Mount Hope Bay.

2007: Sale of Majority of Oil and Natural Gas 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 and energy distribution, transmission, storage, and retail businesses.

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

In 2007, as part of a refocus on core electric and gas operations, Dominion sold most of its Houston-based natural gas and oil exploration and production business for nearly $14 billion in pre-tax proceeds.

February 15, 2008: SCC Approves Controversial Transmission Line Proposal

On February 15, 2008, the SCC approved a controversial proposal for a 230 kV Dominion Virginia transmission line along the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail.

March 5, 2008: Virginia General Assembly Orders Underground Construction of Transmission Line

On March 4 and March 5, 2008, the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed emergency legislation ordering the SCC to approve the underground construction of the transmission line along the W&OD trail.

April 2, 2008: Governor Approves Legislation for Underground Transmission Line Construction

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

June 2008: Construction Begins on Wise County Coal-Fired Power Station

In June 2008, Dominion began constructing a 605 MWe coal-fired power station in Wise County, Virginia, later named the "Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center."

September 2008: Rainforest Action Network Blockades Wise County Power Station Site

In September 2008, activists from the Rainforest Action Network blockaded the site of the Wise County coal-fired power station.

October 7, 2008: SCC Approves Transmission Line Proposal

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

2008: Dominion PAC donations in 2008

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

December 2009: Construction Reaches Halfway Point on Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center

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

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

2010: FirstEnergy Acquires Allegheny Energy

In 2010, FirstEnergy acquired Allegheny Energy, including its Monongahela Power subsidiary, which had previously acquired West Virginia Power.

2010: Pollutant 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", which details the company's 100-year history, was published.

2012: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center Scheduled to be Fully Operational

The Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, a 605 MWe coal fired power station in Wise County, Virginia, was scheduled to be fully operational in mid-2012.

September 2016: Acquisition of Questar Corporation

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

September 2016: Completion of Questar Corporation Acquisition

In September 2016, Dominion Resources completed its acquisition of Questar Corporation, expanding its presence in the Western United States.

2016: Dominion Recognizes Top Volunteers in 2016

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

2016: Dominion PAC Contributions in 2016 Election Cycle

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

2017: 33rd Year of the Benjamin J. Lambert, III, Volunteer of the Year Program

2017 marked the thirty-third year of Dominion's Benjamin J. Lambert, III, Volunteer of the Year Program, which recognizes top company volunteers by paying $1000 to the charity of their choice.

2017: Rebranding to Dominion Energy

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

2017: Fortune 500 Listing

In 2017, Dominion was ranked #238 on the Fortune 500 list, recognizing its financial success and market presence.

May 2018: Groundbreaking for Atlantic Coast Pipeline

In May 2018, ground was broken on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Lewis County, West Virginia, a natural gas pipeline project involving Dominion as a partner.

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 project due to cost increases from lawsuits and environmental opposition.

July 2020: Announcement of Natural Gas Asset Sale to Berkshire Hathaway

In July 2020, Dominion announced plans to sell its natural gas transmission and storage assets to Berkshire Hathaway in a deal estimated at $10 billion.

December 2020: Keel Laid for Offshore WTIV Charybdis

In December 2020, the keel was laid for the project's Jones Act-compliant offshore WTIV, the Charybdis, under construction at Keppel AmFELS shipyards in Brownsville, Texas, for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

2020: Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2020, Dominion responded to the coronavirus pandemic by suspending service disconnections for non-payment, helping disconnected customers reconnect, waiving late and reconnection fees, and directing its charitable foundation to provide $1 million in aid to individuals and organizations fighting COVID-19.

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

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

February 2022: Sale of Dominion Energy West Virginia to Hearthstone Utilities Inc.

In February 2022, Dominion Energy sold one of its subsidiaries, Dominion Energy West Virginia, to Hearthstone Utilities Inc. for $690 million; the operations in West Virginia continued under the name "Hope Gas".

2022: Target to Build 3,000 MW of New Solar and Wind Energy

In 2022, Dominion Energy's "grid transformation program" aimed to build 3,000 megawatts worth of new solar and wind energy.

2022: Dominion's electric production mix

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

September 2023: Enbridge Agrees to Acquire East Ohio Gas, Questar Gas, and Public Service Co. of North Carolina

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

2026: Target Completion for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project

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