Stephen J. Farnsworth, a ¬political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, recalled similar tensions in the 1970s, when Lt. Gov. Henry Howell (D) scored political points by characterizing what was then VEPCO as the “Very Expensive Power Company.” His taunts prompted the company to focus more on keeping rates low.
“Dominion Energy is facing more political trouble right now than it has in 40 years,” Farnsworth said. “For decades, Democrats and Republicans have quite happily and quite quietly taken money from this power company with few questions asked. To me, this is another example of how contentious politics are getting in Virginia.”
