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Regulatory Matters | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Regulated Operations [Abstract] |
Regulatory Matters | N ote 13. Regulatory Matters Regulatory Matters Involving Potential Loss Contingencies As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, the Companies are involved in various regulatory matters. Certain regulatory matters may ultimately result in a loss; however, as such matters are in an initial procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pending reviews or orders, and/or involve significant factual issues that need to be resolved, it is not possible for the Companies to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters that the Companies cannot estimate, a statement to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other matters may have progressed sufficiently through the regulatory process such that the Companies are able to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters that the Companies are able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such matters. Any estimated range is based on currently available information, involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties and may not represent the Companies’ maximum possible loss exposure. The circumstances of such regulatory matters will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For current matters not specifically reported below, management does not anticipate that the outcome from such matters would have a material effect on the Companies’ financial position, liquidity or results of operations. FERC — Electric Under the Federal Power Act, FERC regulates wholesale sales and transmission of electricity in interstate commerce by public utilities. Virginia Power purchases and, under its market based rate authority, sells electricity in the PJM wholesale market and to wholesale purchasers in Virginia and North Carolina. DESC sells electricity to wholesale purchasers in its balancing authority area under its electric cost based tariff and to wholesale purchasers outside of its balancing authority area under its market based rate authority. Dominion Energy’s merchant generators sell electricity in the PJM, CAISO and ISO-NE wholesale markets, and to wholesale purchasers in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Connecticut, Tennessee, Georgia, California, South Carolina and Utah, under Dominion Energy’s market-based sales tariffs authorized by FERC or pursuant to FERC authority to sell as a qualified facility. In addition, Virginia Power has FERC approval of a tariff to sell wholesale power at capped rates based on its embedded cost of generation. This cost-based sales tariff could be used to sell to loads within or outside Virginia Power’s service territory. Any such sales would be voluntary. Rates In April 2008, FERC granted an application for Virginia Power’s electric transmission operations to establish a forward-looking formula rate mechanism that updates transmission rates on an annual basis and approved an ROE effective as of January 1, 2008. The formula rate is designed to recover the expected revenue requirement for each calendar year and is updated based on actual costs. The FERC-approved formula method, which is based on projected costs, allows Virginia Power to earn a current return on its investment in electric transmission infrastructure. In March 2010, ODEC and North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation filed a complaint with FERC against Virginia Power claiming, among other issues, that the incremental costs of undergrounding certain transmission line projects were unjust, unreasonable and unduly discriminatory or preferential and should be excluded from Virginia Power’s transmission formula rate. A settlement of the other issues raised in the complaint was approved by FERC in May 2012. In March 2014, FERC issued an order excluding from Virginia Power’s transmission rates for wholesale transmission customers located outside Virginia the incremental costs of undergrounding certain transmission line projects. FERC found it is not just and reasonable for non-Virginia wholesale transmission customers to be allocated the incremental costs of undergrounding the facilities because the projects are a direct result of Virginia legislation and Virginia Commission pilot programs intended to benefit the citizens of Virginia. The order is retroactively effective as of March 2010 and will cause the reallocation of the costs charged to wholesale transmission customers with loads outside Virginia to wholesale transmission customers with loads in Virginia. FERC determined that there was not sufficient evidence on the record to determine the magnitude of the underground increment and held a hearing to determine the appropriate amount of undergrounding cost to be allocated to each wholesale transmission customer in Virginia. In October 2017, FERC issued an order determining the calculation of the incremental costs of undergrounding the transmission projects and affirming that the costs are to be recovered from the wholesale transmission customers with loads located in Virginia. FERC directed Virginia Power to rebill all wholesale transmission customers retroactively to March 2010 within 30 days of when the proceeding becomes final and no longer subject to rehearing. In November 2017, Virginia Power, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and the wholesale transmission customers filed petitions for rehearing. In July 2018, FERC denied the rehearing requests related to the October 2017 order determining the calculation of the undergrounding costs. Several parties have appealed FERC’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In December 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied the appeal. In January 2019, FERC issued an order denying PJM’s request to waive certain provisions of the PJM Tariff regarding the liquidation of a portfolio of FTRs owned by GreenHat who had defaulted on its financial obligations. As a result of FERC’s order, PJM is required to use the existing tariff provisions to liquidate GreenHat’s FTR portfolio and allocate the resulting costs to PJM members. In February 2019, PJM filed a request for clarification and rehearing with FERC. Also in February 2019, Virginia Power and certain other PJM members filed a request for rehearing with FERC. In June 2019, FERC established a hearing and settlement proceedings to address the issues raised in PJM’s request for clarification and rehearing. In October 2019, PJM submitted a settlement offer to FERC which was approved by FERC in December 2019. Based on the terms of the settlement, the impact to Virginia Power is expected to be immaterial. FERC—G as In July 2017, FERC audit staff communicated to DETI that it had substantially completed an audit of DETI’s compliance with the accounting and reporting requirements of FERC’s Uniform System of Accounts and provided a description of matters and preliminary recommendations. In November 2017, the FERC audit staff issued its audit report which could have the potential to result in adjustments which could be material to Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ results of operations. In December 2017, DETI provided its response to the audit report. DETI requested FERC review of contested findings and submitted its plan for compliance with the uncontested portions of the report. In connection with one uncontested issue, DETI recognized a charge of $15 million ($9 million after-tax) recorded within impairment of assets and related charges in Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ Consolidated Statements of Income (reflected in the Corporate and Other segment) during 2017 to write-off the balance of a regulatory asset, originally established in 2008, that is no longer considered probable of recovery. DETI recognized a charge of $129 million ($94 million after-tax) recorded primarily within impairment of assets and related charges in Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ Consolidated Statements of Income (reflected in the Corporate and Other segment) during 2018 for a disallowance of plant, originally established beginning in 2012, for the resolution of one matter with FERC. Pending final resolution of the audit process and a determination by FERC, management is unable to estimate the potential impact of the remaining finding and no amounts have been recognized. 2017 Tax Reform Act Subsequent to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, the Companies’ state regulators issued orders requesting that public utilities evaluate the total tax impact on the entity’s cost of service and accrue a regulatory liability attributable to the benefits of the reduction in the corporate income tax rate. Certain of the orders requested that the public utilities submit a response to the state regulatory commissions detailing the total tax impact on the utility’s cost of service. The Companies began to reserve the impacts of the cost-of-service reduction as regulatory liabilities in January 2018 and will continue until rates are reset pursuant to state regulators’ approvals. The Companies have recorded a reasonable estimate of net income taxes refundable through future rates in the jurisdictions in which they operate and are currently assessing these actions and decisions, which could have a material impact on the Companies’ results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows. In September 2018, the Virginia Commission issued an order directing Virginia Power to submit a filing quantifying the impacts of the 2017 Tax Reform Act in advance of the April 1, 2019 implementation as required by legislation, which filing was submitted in October 2018. In January 2019, Virginia Power filed updated testimony with a proposed annual revenue reduction of approximately $171 million. Additionally, Virginia Power proposed to issue a one-time bill credit to customers within 90 days of this effective date, to true-up the difference between the final revenue reduction for the period January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019 and the $125 million interim rate reduction implemented on July 1, 2018. In March 2019, the Virginia Commission issued an order approving an annual revenue reduction of approximately $183 million effective April 2019 and ordered Virginia Power to implement the one-time customer credit on or before July 1, 2019. In the second quarter of 2019, Virginia Power refunded to customers $132 million. In August 2018, Virginia Power filed with FERC to waive protocols and begin reflecting projected tax reform benefits of approximately $100 million through the transmission formula rate prior to the normal formula rate process. FERC granted the waiver and the amounts began being reflected in customer billings in November 2018 reflecting the adjustment effective January 1, 2018. In October 2018, the North Carolina Commission issued an order requesting companies file to reduce base rates expeditiously. Virginia Power made its compliance filing in October 2018 and submitted an annual base rate revenue decrease of approximately $14 million effective in early 2019. Virginia Power also proposed to issue a one-time bill credit in early 2019 for its 2018 tax savings collected provisionally from customers. In March 2019, the North Carolina Commission issued an order approving Virginia Power’s proposed annual base rate revenue decrease and one-time bill credit. In the second quarter of 2019, Virginia Power refunded to customers $13 million. In March 2019, Questar Gas filed with the Utah and Wyoming Commissions as to the impact of excess deferred income taxes resulting from the 2017 Tax Reform Act. Questar Gas proposed to return the 2018 amortization of excess deferred income taxes to customers and to incorporate the remaining excess deferred income tax impact in its next general rate cases in each jurisdiction. In May 2019, the Utah Commission issued an order approving Questar Gas’ proposal to pass back the 2018 amortization of excess deferred income taxes over twelve months beginning in June 2019. The matter with the Wyoming Commission is pending. In October 2018, the Ohio Commission issued an order requiring rate-regulated utilities to file an application reflecting the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act on current rates by January 1, 2019. In December 2018, East Ohio filed its application proposing an approach to establishing rates and charges by and through which to return tax reform benefits to its customers. In December 2019, the Ohio Commission issued an order approving customer credits of approximately $600 million that will be shared with customers primarily over the remaining book life of the property to which the excess deferred income taxes relate. In addition, East Ohio will reduce rates approximately $19 million per year to account for the 2017 Tax Reform Act’s impact on its equity return component of rates charged to customers. In connection with the SCANA Merger Approval Order, the South Carolina Commission approved DESC’s provision of approximately $100 million in bill credits related to the 2017 Tax Reform Act’s impact on retail electric customer rates for the period beginning January 2018 through January 2019. These credits have been included in bills rendered on and after the first billing cycle of February 2019. In addition, the South Carolina Commission approved a tax rider whereby the effects of the reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the 2017 Tax Reform Act will benefit retail electric customers. This tax rider reduced base rates to retail electric customers by approximately $63 million in 2019 and is expected to reduce these rates by $67 million in 2020. In October 2018, the South Carolina Commission issued an order approving adjustment to DESC’s natural gas rate schedules, under the terms of the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act, to reflect the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate arising from the 2017 Tax Reform Act. The approved natural gas rate schedules also included a tax reform rate rider to refund certain income tax amounts previously collected from customers. These lower rates, representing a $20 million decreased revenue requirement, became effective for bills rendered on and after the first billing cycle in November 2018. In December 2018, the North Carolina Commission issued an order approving PSNC’s proposed adjustments to customer rates, representing a $13 million decreased revenue requirement, to reflect the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate arising from the 2017 Tax Reform Act. These lower rates became effective for service rendered on and after January 1, 2019. Amounts collected in customer rates during 2018 and amounts arising from excess deferred income taxes have been recorded in regulatory liabilities and must be considered in PSNC’s next general rate case proceeding or in three years, whichever is sooner. The reduction in the federal corporate tax rate and its impact on PSNC’s various rate riders will be addressed in future proceedings related to those riders. During 2018, Dominion Energy’s FERC-regulated pipelines, including those accounted for as equity method investments, filed the Form 501-G with FERC. Dominion Energy Overthrust Pipeline, LLC, White River Hub, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, DETI, DECG, Cove Point and Iroquois have reached resolution through a FERC waiver or FERC terminating the 501-G proceeding, or through settlement, which did not result in a material impact to results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows of Dominion Energy or Dominion Energy Gas. Other Regulatory Matters V irginia R egulation The Regulation Act enacted in 2007 instituted a cost-of-service rate model, ending Virginia’s planned transition to retail competition for electric supply service to most classes of customers. The Regulation Act authorizes stand-alone rate adjustment clauses for recovery of costs for new generation projects, FERC-approved transmission costs, underground distribution lines, environmental compliance, conservation and energy efficiency programs, renewable energy programs and nuclear license renewals, and also contains statutory provisions directing Virginia Power to file annual fuel cost recovery cases with the Virginia Commission. As amended, it provides for enhanced returns on capital expenditures on specific newly-proposed generation projects. If the Virginia Commission’s future rate decisions, including actions relating to Virginia Power’s rate adjustment clause filings, differ materially from Virginia Power’s expectations, it may adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 In March 2018, the GTSA reinstated base rate reviews on a triennial basis, other than the first review which will be a quadrennial review, occurring for Virginia Power in 2021 for the four successive 12-month test periods beginning January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2020. This review for Virginia Power will occur one year earlier than under the Regulation Act legislation enacted in February 2015. In the triennial review proceedings, earnings that are more than 70 basis points above the utility’s authorized ROE that might have been refunded to customers and served as the basis for a reduction in future rates, may be reduced by Virginia Commission - approved investment amounts in qualifying solar or wind generation facilities or electric distribution grid transformation projects that Virginia Power elects to include in a customer credit reinvestment offset. The legislation declares that electric distribution grid transformation projects are in the public interest and provides that the costs of such projects may be recovered through a rate adjustment clause if not the subject of a customer credit reinvestment offset. Any costs that are the subject of a customer credit reinvestment offset may not be recovered in base rates for the service life of the projects and may not be included in base rates in future triennial review proceedings. In any triennial review in which the Virginia Commission determines that the utility’s earnings are more than 70 basis points above its authorized ROE, base rates are subject to reduction prospectively and customer refunds would be due unless the total customer credit reinvestment offset elected by the utility equals or exceeds the amount of earnings in excess of the 70 basis points. In the 2021 review, any such rate reduction is limited to $50 million. The legislation also includes provisions requiring Virginia Power to provide current customers one-time rate credits totaling $200 million and to reduce base rates to reflect reductions in income tax expense resulting from the 2017 Tax Reform Act. As a result, Virginia Power incurred a $215 million ($160 million after-tax) charge in connection with this legislation, including the impact on certain non-jurisdictional customers which follow Virginia Power’s jurisdictional customer rate methodology. In July 2018 and January 2019, Virginia Power credited $138 million and $77 million, respectively, to current customers’ bills. In addition, Virginia Power reduced base rates on an annual basis by $125 million effective July 2018, to reflect the estimated effect of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. In March 2019, the Virginia Commission directed an annual revenue reduction of $183 million in rates for generation and distribution services pursuant to the GTSA effective April 2019. In July 2018, Virginia Power filed a petition with the Virginia Commission for approval of the first three years of its ten-year plan for electric distribution grid transformation projects as authorized by the GTSA. During the first three years of the plan, Virginia Power proposed to focus on the following seven foundational components of the overall grid transformation plan: (i) smart meters; (ii) customer information platform; (iii) reliability and resilience; (iv) telecommunications infrastructure; (v) cyber and physical security; (vi) predictive analytics; and (vii) emerging technology. The total estimated capital investment during 2019-2021 was $816 million and the proposed operations and maintenance expenses were $102 million. In January 2019, the Virginia Commission issued its final order approving capital spending for the first three years of the plan totaling $68 million on cyber and physical security and related telecommunications infrastructure (Phase IA). The Virginia Commission declined to approve the remainder of the proposed components for the first three years of the plan, the proposed spending for which was not found reasonable and prudent based on the record in the proceeding. In September 2019, Virginia Power filed a revised plan which includes six components: (i) smart meters; (ii) customer information platform; (iii) grid improvement projects; (iv) telecommunications infrastructure; (v) cyber security; and (vi) a smart charging electric vehicle infrastructure pilot program (Phase IB). For Phase IB, the total proposed capital investment during 2019 – 2021 is $503 million and the proposed operations and maintenance investment is $78 million. This matter is pending. Regulation Act In March 2019, Virginia Power filed an application for the Virginia Commission to determine the general ROE for Virginia Power’s non-transmission rate adjustment clauses and for purposes of determining Virginia Power’s base rate earnings in the 2021 quadrennial review for the four successive 12-month test periods beginning January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2020. The application supported a 10.75% ROE for these rate adjustment clauses and quadrennial review period. In November 2019, the Virginia Commission approved a 9.2% general ROE for Virginia Power. Virginia Fuel Expenses In May 2019, Virginia Power filed its annual fuel factor with the Virginia Commission to recover an estimated $1.5 billion in Virginia jurisdictional projected fuel expenses for the rate year beginning July 1, 2019 and the projected June 30, 2019 under recovered balance of $124 million. Virginia Power’s proposed fuel rate represented a fuel revenue decrease of $192 million when applied to projected kilowatt-hour sales for the period July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Subsequently in May 2019, Virginia Power revised its fuel factor filing to reduce the projected June 30, 2019 underrecovered balance to $107 million and a fuel revenue decrease of $254 million. In August 2019, the Virginia Commission approved Virginia Power’s fuel rate. In February 2020, Virginia Power filed its annual fuel factor with the Virginia Commission to recover an estimated $1.2 billion in Virginia jurisdictional projected fuel expenses for the rate year beginning July 1, 2020 and a projected over-recovery of approximately $81 million for the prior year balance as of June 30, 2020. Virginia Power requested that the new fuel factor rate be implemented on an interim basis two months early, beginning on May 1, 2020. Virginia Power’s proposed fuel rate represents a fuel revenue decrease of approximately $393 million when applied to projected kilowatt-hour sales for the rate year beginning May 1, 2020. This matter is pending. Battery Storage Pilot In August 2019, Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia Commission to participate in a pilot program for electric power storage batteries, which includes three projects for deployment of battery energy storage systems. Virginia Power also requested an amended CPCN to construct and operate a battery energy storage system at Scott Solar. The projects are estimated to cost approximately $35 million. In February 2020, the Virginia Commission approved the request. Solar Facility Projects
• | In July 2018, Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia Commission for CPCNs to construct two solar facilities. Colonial Trail West and Spring Grove 1 are estimated to cost approximately $410 million, excluding financing costs. Colonial Trail West commenced commercial operations in December 2019 and Spring Grove 1 is expected to commence commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Virginia Power also applied for approval of Rider US-3 associated with these projects with a proposed $10 million total revenue requirement for the rate year beginning June 1, 2019. In January 2019, the Virginia Commission issued a final order granting CPCNs to construct the solar facilities, subject to a 20-year performance guarantee of the facilities at a 25% solar capacity factor when normalized for force majeure events. In April 2019, the Virginia Commission approved Rider US-3.
• | In July 2019, Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia Commission for a CPCN to construct Sadler Solar, which is estimated to cost approximately $146 million, excluding financing costs. Sadler Solar is expected to commence commercial operations, subject to regulatory approvals associated with the project, in the fourth quarter of 2020. Virginia Power also applied for approval of Rider US-4 associated with this project with a proposed $9 million total revenue requirement for the rate year beginning June 1, 2020. In January 2020, the Virginia Commission issued a final order granting the CPCN to construct Sadler Solar, subject to a 20- year performance guarantee of the facility at a 22% solar capacity factor when normalized for force majeure events. This matter regarding Rider US-4 is pending.
Rate Adjustment Clauses Below is a discussion of significant riders associated with various Virginia Power projects:
• | The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider T1 concerning transmission rates. In May 2019, Virginia Power
proposed a $920 million total revenue requirement consisting of $474 million for the transmission component of Virginia Power’s base rates and $446 million for Rider T1 for the rate year beginning September 1, 2019. This total revenue requirement represents a $271 million increase versus the revenues to be produced during the rate year under current rates. In July 2019, the Virginia Commission approved the filing.
• | The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider U in conjunction with cost recovery to move certain electric distribution facilities underground as authorized by Virginia legislation. In October 2019, the Virginia Commission approved Virginia Power’s proposed fourth phase of conversions totaling $123 million and a total $52 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning February 1, 2020 for continuing recovery of the previously approved phase conversions and the proposed fourth phase conversions.
• | The Virginia Commission previously approved Riders C1A, C2A and C3A in connection with cost recovery for DSM programs. In December 2019, Virginia Power filed a petition to approve an additional 10 new energy efficiency programs and one new demand response DSM program for five years, subject to future extension, with a $186 million cost cap, and proposed a total $60 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning September 1, 2020. This total revenue requirement represents an $11 million increase over the previous year.
• | In December 2018, Virginia Power filed a petition requesting approval of Rider E and proposed a $114 million total revenue requirement for the rate year beginning November 1, 2019. In August 2019, the Virginia Commission issued an order approving in part and denying in part the petition. As a result, Virginia Power recorded a $21 million ($16 million after-tax) charge in impairment of assets and other charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 to write-off certain disallowed environmental property, plant and equipment and regulatory assets. In August 2019, the Virginia Commission granted Virginia Power’s petition for reconsideration of the disallowed amount and stayed the order issued earlier in August 2019. In October 2019, the Virginia Commission approved Virginia Power’s request to implement a total revenue requirement of $104 million on an interim basis, subject to true-up, pending resolution of the petition for reconsideration. In November 2019, the Virginia Commission denied the petition for reconsideration and the $104 million total revenue requirement remains in effect.
• | Additional significant riders associated with various Virginia Power projects are as follows:
Rider Name |  | Application Date |  |  | Approval Date |  |  | Rate Year Beginning |  |  | Total Revenue Requirement (millions) |  |  | Increase (Decrease) Over Previous Year (millions) |
Rider S |  |  | May 2019 |  |  |  | February 2020 |  |  |  | April 2020 |  |  |  | $195 |  |  |  | $(20 | )
Rider GV |  |  | May 2019 |  |  |  | February 2020 |  |  |  | April 2020 |  |  |  | 132 |  |  |  | 12 |
Rider W |  |  | May 2019 |  |  |  | February 2020 |  |  |  | April 2020 |  |  |  | 106 |  |  |  | 1 |
Rider R |  |  | May 2019 |  |  |  | February 2020 |  |  |  | April 2020 |  |  |  | 44 |  |  |  | (13 | )
Rider B |  |  | May 2019 |  |  |  | February 2020 |  |  |  | April 2020 |  |  |  | 32 |  |  |  | (6 | )
Rider US-3 |  |  | July 2019 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | June 2020 |  |  |  | 31 |  |  |  | 21 |
Rider BW |  |  | October 2019 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | September 2020 |  |  |  | 120 |  |  |  | 1 |
Rider US-2 |  |  | October 2019 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | September 2020 |  |  |  | 10 |  |  |  | (5 | )
Rider E |  |  | January 2020 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | November 2020 |  |  |  | 88 |  |  |  | (16 | )
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project In November 2018, Virginia Power received approval from the Virginia Commission for its petition seeking a prudency determination as provided in the GTSA with respect to the proposed Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot project consisting of two 6 MW wind turbine generators located approximately 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia in federal waters, and for a CPCN, for the generation tie line connecting the generators to shore. This project is expected to cost approximately $300 million and to be placed into service by the end of 2020. Electric Transmission Projects In November 2013, the Virginia Commission issued an order granting Virginia Power a CPCN to construct approximately 7 miles of new overhead 500 kV transmission line from the existing Surry switching station in Surry County to a new Skiffes Creek switching station in James City County, and approximately 20 miles of new 230 kV transmission line in James City County, York County, and the City of Newport News from the proposed new Skiffes Creek switching station to Virginia Power’s existing Whealton substation in the City of Hampton. In February 2019, the transmission line project was placed into service. In March 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued an order vacating the permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued in July 2017 and ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do a full environmental impact study of the project. In April 2019, Virginia Power and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers filed petitions for rehearing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, asking that the permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remain in effect while an environmental impact study is performed. In May 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied the request for rehearing and ordered the U.S. District Court for the D.C. Circuit to consider and issue a ruling on whether the permit should be vacated during the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ preparation of an environmental impact statement. In November 2019, the U.S. District Court for the D.C. Circuit issued an order allowing the permit to remain in effect while an environmental impact study is performed. This matter is pending. Additional significant Virginia Power electric transmission projects approved or applied for are as follows:
Description and Location of Project |  | Application Date |  |  | Approval Date |  |  | Type of Line |  |  | Miles of Lines |  |  | Cost Estimate (millions) |
Rebuild and operate transmission line between Lanexa and the Northern Neck in Virginia |  |  | June 2018 |  |  |  | February 2019 |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | $ 30 |
Build a new substation and connect three existing transmission lines thereto in Fluvanna County, Virginia |  |  | October 2018 |  |  |  | June 2019 |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | <1 |  |  |  | 30 |
Rebuild and operate the Glebe substation and relocate and operate in Arlington County, Virginia and the City of Alexandria, Virginia existing overhead line underground |  |  | March 2019 |  |  |  | September 2019 |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | <1 |  |  |  | 125 |
Rebuild and operate transmission line between Valley, Virginia and Mt. Storm, West Virginia |  |  | April 2019 |  |  |  | November 2019 |  |  |  | 500 kV |  |  |  | 65 |  |  |  | 290 |
Rebuild and operate transmission line between the Suffolk substation and the Virginia/North Carolina state line |  |  | May 2019 |  |  |  | November 2019 |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | 11 |  |  |  | 20 |
Rebuild and operate five segments between the Loudoun and Ox substations |  |  | August 2019 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | 19 |  |  |  | 70 |
Build new Evergreen Mills switching station and line loops in Loudoun County, Virginia |  |  | December 2019 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 30 |
Build new Lockridge substation and line loop in Loudoun County, Virginia |  |  | December 2019 |  |  |  | Pending |  |  |  | 230 kV |  |  |  | <1 |  |  |  | 35 |
North Carolina Regulation North Carolina Base Rate Case In March 2019, Virginia Power filed its base rate case and schedules with the North Carolina Commission. Virginia Power proposed a non-fuel, base rate increase of $27 million effective November 1, 2019 on an interim basis subject to refund, with any permanent rates ordered by the North Carolina Commission effective January 1, 2020. The base rate increase was proposed to recover the significant investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure for the benefit of North Carolina customers. Virginia Power presented an earned return of 7.52% based upon a fully-adjusted test period, compared to its authorized 9.90% return, and proposed a 10.75% ROE. In September 2019, Virginia Power revised its filing to reduce the non-fuel base rate increase to $24 million. In January 2020, the North Carolina Commission approved a 9.75% ROE and disallowed certain costs associated with coal ash remediation at Chesterfield power station. In February 2020, the North Carolina Commission issued its final order relating to base rates. Virginia Power is reviewing the order and assessing its options. North Carolina Fuel Filing In August 2019, Virginia Power submitted its annual filing to the North Carolina Commission to adjust the fuel component of its electric rates. Virginia Power proposed a total $18 million decrease to the fuel component of its electric rates for the rate year beginning February 1, 2020. In January 2020, the North Carolina Commission approved Virginia Power’s proposed fuel change adjustment. South Carolina Regulation DSM Programs DESC has approval for a DSM rider through which it recovers expenditures related to its DSM programs. In January 2019, DESC filed an application with the South Carolina Commission seeking approval to recover $30 million of costs and net lost revenues associated with these programs, along with an incentive to invest in such programs. In April 2019, the South Carolina Commission approved the request for the rate year beginning with the first billing cycle of May 2019. In January 2020, DESC filed an application with the South Carolina Commission seeking approval to recover $40 million of costs and net lost revenues associated with these programs, along with an incentive to invest in such programs. This matter is pending. Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act In June 2019, DESC filed with the South Carolina Commission its monitoring report for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2019 with a total revenue requirement of $437 million. This represents a $7 million overall increase to its natural gas rates under the terms of the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act effective for the rate year beginning November 2019. In October 2019, the South Carolina Commission approved a total revenue requirement of $436 million effective with the first billing cycle of November 2019. Cost of Fuel DESC’s retail electric rates include a cost of fuel component approved by the South Carolina Commission which may be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the price of fuel purchased by DESC. In April 2019, the South Carolina Commission approved DESC’s proposal to decrease the total fuel cost component of retail electric rates. DESC’s proposal included maintaining its base fuel component at the current level to produce a projected under-recovered balance of $35 million at the end of the 12-month period beginning with the first billing cycle of May 2019 and requested carrying costs for any base fuel under-collected balances, should they occur. DESC also proposed reducing its variable environmental component and maintaining or reducing its distributed energy resource components. Changes in rates became effective beginning with the first billing cycle of May 2019. In February 2020, DESC filed a proposal with the South Carolina Commission to decrease the total fuel cost component of retail electric rates. DESC’s proposed decrease would reduce annual base fuel component recoveries by approximately $44 million and is projected to return to customers the existing over-collected balance while recovering DESC’s current base fuel costs over the 12-month period beginning with the first billing cycle of May 2020. In addition, DESC proposed an increase to its variable environmental and distributed energy resource components. This matter is pending. Electric Transmission Projects In 2020, DESC expects to begin several electric transmission projects in connection with two new nuclear plants under development by Southern. These transmission projects are required to be in place prior to these plants beginning operations to maintain reliability. DESC anticipates the projects to go into service in phases, costing approximately $75 million in aggregate. In February 2020, DESC filed an application with the South Carolina Commission requesting approval to construct and operate 28 miles of 230 kV transmission lines in Aiken County, South Carolina estimated to cost approximately $30 million. This matter is pending. Ohio Regulation PIR Program In 2008, East Ohio began PIR, aimed at replacing approximately 25% of its pipeline system. In September 2016, the Ohio Commission approved a stipulation filed jointly by East Ohio and the Staff of the Ohio Commission to continue the PIR program and associated cost recovery for another five-year term, calendar years 2017 through 2021, and to permit East Ohio to increase its annual capital expenditures to $200 million by 2018 and 3% per year thereafter subject to the cost recovery rate increase caps proposed by East Ohio. In April 2019, the Ohio Commission approved East Ohio’s application to adjust the PIR cost recovery rates for 2018 costs. The filing reflects gross plant investment for 2018 of $202 million, cumulative gross plant investment of $1.6 billion and a revenue requirement of $190 million. CEP Program In 2011, East Ohio began CEP which enables East Ohio to defer depreciation expense, property tax expense and carrying costs at the debt rate of 6.5% on capital investments not covered by its PIR program to expand, upgrade or replace its pipeline system and information technology systems as well as investments necessary to comply with the Ohio Commission or other government regulation. In May 2019, East Ohio filed an application for an alternative rate plan to establish a CEP rider to recover existing CEP-related deferrals and to establish an ongoing recovery mechanism for future deferrals. The filing reflects cumulative gross plant investment of $723 million through 2018 and a revenue requirement of $83 million. This matter is pending. West Virginia Regulation PREP In May 2019, Hope filed a PREP application with the West Virginia Commission requesting approval to recover PREP costs related to $29 million and $39 million of projected capital investment for 2019 and 2020, respectively. The application also includes a true-up of PREP costs related to the 2018 actual capital investment of $30 million and sets forth $10 million of annual PREP costs to be recovered in proposed rates effective November 1, 2019. In October 2019, the West Virginia Commission approved PREP rates effective November 1, 2019. Utah And Wyoming Regulation LNG Storage Facility In April 2019, Questar Gas filed a request with the Utah Commission for pre-approval to construct an LNG storage facility with a liquefaction rate of 8.2 million cubic feet per day. In October 2019, the Utah Commission granted pre-approval to construct the LNG storage facility. Utah Base Rate Case In July 2019, Questar Gas filed its base rate case and schedules with the Utah Commission. Questar Gas proposed a non-fuel, base rate increase of $19 million effective March 2020. The base rate increase was proposed to recover the significant investment in distribution infrastructure for the benefit of Utah customers. Questar Gas presented an earned return of 9.05% based upon a fully-adjusted test period, compared to its authorized 9.85% return, and proposed a 10.5% ROE. In February 2020, the Utah Commission approved a non-fuel, base rate increase of $3 million effective March 2020. This revenue requirement increase is based on an approved ROE of 9.50%. Wyoming Base Rate Case In November 2019, Questar Gas filed its base rate case and schedules with the Wyoming Commission. Questar Gas proposed a non-fuel, base rate increase of $4 million effective September 2020. The base rate increase was proposed to replace aging infrastructure and expand its system. Questar Gas presented an earned return of 7.46%, based upon a fully-adjusted test period, compared to its authorized 9.5% return, and proposed a 10.5% ROE. This matter is pending. Rural Expansion Program In December 2019, Questar Gas filed an application with the Utah Commission for a CPCN to construct natural gas infrastructure to extend service to Eureka, Utah. The project is expected to include 11 miles of high-pressure pipeline and up to 360 service lines and to be in service in late 2021. Questar Gas also requested approval of a rural expansion rate adjustment tracker to recover the construction costs of the project. This matter is pending. FERC—GAS Cove Point In February 2019, Cove Point submitted its annual electric power cost adjustment to FERC requesting approval to recover $24 million. FERC approved the adjustment in March 2019. In June 2015, Cove Point executed two binding precedent agreements for the approximately $150 million Eastern Market Access Project. In January 2018, Cove Point received FERC authorization to construct and operate the project facilities. In October 2018, Cove Point announced it was evaluating alternatives to a proposed Charles County, Maryland compressor station that was initially part of this project and in December 2018, after working with project customers for alternative solutions, decided not to pursue further construction at this location resulting in a revised project estimate of approximately $45 million and a write-off of $37 million ($28 million after-tax). In May 2019, Cove Point filed an application for an amendment to vacate its FERC authorization for the Charles County, Maryland compressor station and revised its project scope. In August 2019, Cove Point received FERC authorization and the Eastern Market Access Project commenced commercial operations in September 2019. In connection with the Eastern Market Access Project, in August 2019, Cove Point filed to update its annual electric power cost adjustment requesting FERC approval to recover $25 million, representing an increase of $1 million from the adjustment approved in March 2019. FERC approved the adjustment in August 2019. In January 2020, pursuant to the terms of a previous settlement, Cove Point filed a general rate case for its FERC-jurisdictional services, with proposed rates to be effective March 1, 2020. Cove Point proposed an annual cost-of-service of approximately $182 million. Cove Point anticipates that FERC will suspend the changes in rates for five months following the proposed effective date, until August 1, 2020. DETI In September 2019 , DETI submitted its annual transportation cost rate adjustment to FERC requesting approval to recover $ 38 million. Also in September 2019 , DETI submitted its annual electric power cost adjustment to FERC requesting approval to recover $ 10 million. In October 2019 , FERC approved these adjustments. In December 2019, DETI filed an application to request FERC authorization to construct, operate and maintain the Tri-West project to provide 120,000 Dth per day of firm transportation service in from Pennsylvania to Ohio for delivery to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company. The project facilities are expected to cost approximately $25 million and be in service by the end of 2020. In August 2018, DETI executed a binding precedent agreement with a customer for the West Loop project. The project is expected to cost approximately $95 million and provide 150,000 Dth per day of firm transportation service from Pennsylvania to Ohio for delivery to a proposed combined-cycle, natural gas-fired electric power generation facility to be located in Columbiana County, Ohio. In December 2018, DETI filed an application to request FERC authorization to construct, operate and maintain the project facilities, which are expected to be in service by the end of 2021. In December 2019, DETI received FERC authorization. In January 2018, DETI filed an application to request FERC authorization to construct and operate certain facilities located in Ohio and Pennsylvania for the Sweden Valley project. In June 2019, DETI withdrew its application for the project due to certain regulatory delays. As a result of the project abandonment, during the second quarter of 2019, DETI recorded a charge of $13 million ($10 million after-tax), included in impairment of assets and other charges in Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ Consolidated Statements of Income (reflected in the Corporate and Other segment) .

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