Dominion Energy Ranks Among Dirtiest Utilities in Nation, Fail to Meet Climate Pledges

Strategic Insights -

Dominion Energy's plans for renewable energy have failed to keep pace with national peers, abandoning climate and environmental justice commitments, according to the Sierra Club's annual Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report. The report grades 75 utilities across the country on their plans to retire coal plants by 2030, avoid new gas plants through 2035, and transition to clean energy through 2035. Dominion Virginia earned a 0% score, the lowest score it has ever earned since the report was established in 2021. Despite rapidly rising electricity demand from Virginia's data center growth, Dominion is doubling down on fossil fuels.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dominion Energy has earned the lowest score, 0%, in the Sierra Club's annual Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report since its inception in 2021.
  • Dominion's plans for renewable energy have failed to keep pace with national peers, abandoning climate and environmental justice commitments.
  • The report grades 75 utilities across the country on their plans to retire coal plants by 2030, avoid new gas plants through 2035, and transition to clean energy through 2035.
  • Dominion Energy is doubling down on fossil fuels despite rapidly rising electricity demand from Virginia's data center growth.
  • The Sierra Club Chief Program Officer, Holly Bender, stated that utilities are regressing on their clean energy transition, ignoring renewable energy and forcing customers to pay more.
  • The report found an average score of 15 points across 75 observed large utilities, with Dominion Energy at the bottom of the regression trend.
  • Dominion Energy's failure to meet climate pledges is expected to lead to higher energy bills and increased pollution in communities.

Statistics:

  • Dominion Energy earned a 0% score in the Sierra Club's annual Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report.
  • The report initially graded 75 utilities, with an average score of 15 points, and Dominion Energy ranked at the bottom of the regression trend.
  • The Sierra Club has been releasing the Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report annually since 2021.

Sources:

  • "Dominion Energy Fails to Meet Climate Commitments, Earns Lowest Score in Report History" (Sierra Club, 2022)
  • "Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges 2025" (Sierra Club, 2022)
  • "Sierra Club Delivers Scathing Report Card on Utilities Climate Progress" (Sierra Club, 2022)