Questions grow as energy company merger could close power plant near St. Paul VA

Questions are growing over the future of a major Southwest Virginia employer. U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith is urging Governor Abigail Spanberger to protect the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center near St. Paul. Local leaders fear the proposed $67 billion merger between Dominion and NextEra Energy could lead to the facility’s closing. The St. Paul power plant currently employs nearly 160 people and generates more than $8 million in annual tax revenue for the region. The SCC staff recently recommended rejecting the massive utility merger, while state commissioners are not expected to make a final decision until next year.