Dominion Energy 10-K 2020-12-31
Filed 2021-02-25. 22 sections, 1043K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|---|
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|---|
For the transition period from to
| Commission File Number | Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters | I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
|---|---|---|
| 001-08489 | DOMINION ENERGY, INC. | 54-1229715 |
| 000-55337 | Virginia ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY | 54-0418825 |
| Virginia (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | ||
| 120 TREDEGAR STREET RICHMOND, Virginia (Address of principal executive offices) | 23219 (Zip Code) | |
| (804) 819-2000 (Registrants’ telephone number) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Registrant | Trading Symbol | Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
| DOMINION ENERGY, INC. | D | Common Stock, no par value | New York Stock Exchange |
| DRUA | 2016 Series A 5.25% Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes | New York Stock Exchange | |
| DCUE | 2019 Series A Corporate Units | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
Common Stock, no par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Dominion Energy, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐ Virginia Electric and Power Company Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Dominion Energy, Inc. Yes ☐ No ☒ Virginia Electric and Power Company Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Dominion Energy, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐ Virginia Electric and Power Company Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Dominion Energy, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐ Virginia Electric and Power Company Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Dominion Energy, Inc.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||
Virginia Electric and Power Company
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Dominion Energy, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐ Virginia Electric and Power Company Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Dominion Energy, Inc. Yes ☐ No ☒ Virginia Electric and Power Company Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of Dominion Energy, Inc. common stock held by non-affiliates of Dominion Energy was approximately $68.0 billion based on the closing price of Dominion Energy’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of the last day of Dominion Energy’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Dominion Energy is the sole holder of Virginia Electric and Power Company common stock. At February 12, 2021, Dominion Energy had 805,648,140 shares of common stock outstanding and Virginia Power had 274,723 shares of common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of Dominion Energy’s 2021 Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference in Part III.
This combined Form 10-K represents separate filings by Dominion Energy, Inc. and Virginia Electric and Power Company. Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Virginia Electric and Power Company makes no representations as to the information relating to Dominion Energy, Inc.’s other operations.
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND IS FILING THIS FORM 10-K UNDER THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.
x
Dominion Energy, Inc. and Virginia Electric and Power Company
Glossary of Terms
The following abbreviations or acronyms used in this Form 10-K are defined below:
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Equity Units | Dominion Energy’s 2016 Series A Equity Units issued in August 2016, initially in the form of 2016 Series A Corporate Units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and a 1/40 interest in RSNs issued by Dominion Energy | |
| 2019 BLS Industry Average OSHA Recordable Rate | An average of the OSHA Recordable Rate for 2019 published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for electric power generation, transmission and distribution (NAICS code 2211) and natural gas distribution (NAICS code 2212) | |
| 2019 Equity Units | Dominion Energy’s 2019 Series A Equity Units issued in June 2019, initially in the form of 2019 Series A Corporate Units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and a 1/10 interest in a share of the Series A Preferred Stock | |
| 2017 Tax Reform Act | An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (previously known as The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) enacted on December 22, 2017 | |
| 2021 Proxy Statement | Dominion Energy 2021 Proxy Statement, File No. 001-08489 | |
| 2021 Triennial Review | Virginia Commission review of Virginia Power’s earned return on base rate generation and distribution services for the four successive 12-month test periods beginning January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2020 | |
| ABO | Accumulated benefit obligation | |
| ACE Rule | Affordable Clean Energy Rule | |
| AFUDC | Allowance for funds used during construction | |
| Align RNG | Align RNG, LLC, a joint venture between Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods, Inc. | |
| Altavista | Altavista biomass power station | |
| AMI | Advanced Metering Infrastructure | |
| AOCI | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| ARO | Asset retirement obligation | |
| Atlantic Coast Pipeline | Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC, a limited liability company owned by Dominion Energy and Duke Energy | |
| Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project | A previously proposed approximately 600-mile natural gas pipeline running from West Virginia through Virginia to North Carolina which would have been owned by Dominion Energy and Duke Energy | |
| BACT | Best available control technology | |
| bcf | Billion cubic feet | |
| bcfe | Billion cubic feet equivalent | |
| Bear Garden | A 590 MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power station in Buckingham County, Virginia | |
| BHE | The legal entity, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (including Dominion Energy Gas, Dominion Energy Midstream and Cove Point effective November 1, 2020), or the entirety of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Blue Racer | Blue Racer Midstream, LLC, a joint venture between Caiman Energy II, LLC and FR BR Holdings, LLC effective December 2018 | |
| BP | BP Wind Energy North America Inc. | |
| Brookfield | Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners, an infrastructure fund managed by Brookfield Asset Management Inc. | |
| Brunswick County | A 1,376 MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power station in Brunswick County, Virginia | |
| CAA | Clean Air Act | |
| CARES Act | Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, enacted on March 27, 2020 | |
| CAISO | California ISO | |
| CAO | Chief Accounting Officer | |
| CCR | Coal combustion residual | |
| CCRO | Customer credit reinvestment offset | |
| CEA | Commodity Exchange Act | |
| CEO | Chief Executive Officer | |
| CEP | Capital Expenditure Program, as established by House Bill 95, Ohio legislation enacted in 2011, deployed by East Ohio to recover certain costs associated with capital investment | |
| CERCLA | Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, also known as Superfund |
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| CFO | Chief Financial Officer | |
| CGN Committee | Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee of Dominion Energy’s Board of Directors | |
| CH4 | Methane | |
| CNG | Consolidated Natural Gas Company | |
| CO2 | Carbon dioxide | |
| Colonial Trail West | A 142 MW utility-scale solar power station located in Surry County, Virginia | |
| Companies | Dominion Energy and Virginia Power, collectively | |
| Contracted Assets | Contracted Assets operating segment | |
| COO | Chief Operating Officer | |
| Cooling degree days | Units measuring the extent to which the average daily temperature is greater than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or 75 degrees Fahrenheit in DESC’s service territory, calculated as the difference between 65 or 75 degrees, as applicable, and the average temperature for that day | |
| Cove Point | Cove Point LNG, LP (formerly known as Dominion Energy Cove Point LNG, LP) | |
| Cove Point LNG Facility | An LNG import/export and storage facility, including the Liquefaction Facility, located on the Chesapeake Bay in Lusby, Maryland | |
| CPCN | Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity | |
| CWA | Clean Water Act | |
| DCP | The legal entity, CPMLP Holding Company, LLC (formerly known as Dominion Cove Point, LLC), one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (including Dominion Energy Midstream), or the entirety of CPMLP Holding Company, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| DECGS | Carolina Gas Services, Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Energy Carolina Gas Services, Inc.) | |
| DEQPS | Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline Services, Inc. | |
| DES | Dominion Energy Services, Inc. | |
| DESC | The legal entity, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc., one or more of its consolidated entities or operating segment, or the entirety of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. and its consolidated entities | |
| DETI | Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc.) | |
| DGI | Dominion Generation, Inc. | |
| DGP | Eastern Gathering and Processing, Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Gathering and Processing, Inc.) | |
| DMLPHCII | Eastern MLP Holding Company II, LLC (formerly known as Dominion MLP Holding Company II, LLC) | |
| Dodd-Frank Act | The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 | |
| DOE | U.S. Department of Energy | |
| Dominion Energy | The legal entity, Dominion Energy, Inc., one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (other than Virginia Power) or operating segments, or the entirety of Dominion Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Dominion Energy Direct® | A dividend reinvestment and open enrollment direct stock purchase plan | |
| Dominion Energy Gas | The legal entity, Eastern Energy Gas Holdings, LLC (formerly known as Dominion Energy Gas Holdings, LLC), one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (consisting of DETI, DCP, DMLPHCII and Dominion Iroquois), or the entirety of Eastern Energy Gas Holdings, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Dominion Energy Gas Restructuring | The acquisition of DCP and DMLPHCII from, and the disposition of East Ohio and DGP to, Dominion Energy by Dominion Energy Gas on November 6, 2019 | |
| Dominion Energy Midstream | The legal entity, Northeast Midstream Partners, LP (formerly known as Dominion Energy Midstream Partners, LP), one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of Northeast Midstream Partners, LP and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Dominion Energy Questar | The legal entity, Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (other than Dominion Energy Gas, effective November 2019), or the entirety of Dominion Energy Questar Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Dominion Energy Questar Combination | Dominion Energy’s acquisition of Dominion Energy Questar completed on September 16, 2016 pursuant to the terms of the agreement and plan of merger entered on January 31, 2016 | |
| Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline | The legal entity, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, LLC, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (including its 50% noncontrolling interest in White River Hub), or the entirety of Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Dominion Energy South Carolina | Dominion Energy South Carolina operating segment |
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion Energy Virginia | Dominion Energy Virginia operating segment | |
| Dominion Iroquois | The legal entity Iroquois Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Iroquois Inc.), one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of Iroquois, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, which held a 50% noncontrolling interest in Iroquois | |
| DSM | Demand-side management | |
| Dth | Dekatherm | |
| Duke Energy | The legal entity, Duke Energy Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of Duke Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Eagle Solar | Eagle Solar, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DGI | |
| East Ohio | The East Ohio Gas Company, doing business as Dominion Energy Ohio | |
| Eastern Market Access Project | Project to provide 150,000 Dths/day of transportation service to help meet demand for natural gas for Washington Gas Light Company, a local gas utility serving customers in D.C., Virginia and Maryland | |
| Energy Choice | Program authorized by the Ohio Commission which provides energy customers with the ability to shop for energy options from a group of suppliers certified by the Ohio Commission | |
| EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |
| EPACT | Energy Policy Act of 2005 | |
| EPS | Earnings per share | |
| ERISA | Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | |
| ESA Excess Tax Benefits | Endangered Species Act Benefits of tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for stock-based compensation | |
| Fairless | Fairless power station | |
| FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | |
| FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |
| FILOT | Fee in lieu of taxes | |
| Fitch | Fitch Ratings Ltd. | |
| Fountain Creek Solar | A proposed 80 MW utility-scale solar power station located in Greensville County, Virginia | |
| Four Brothers | Four Brothers Solar, LLC, a limited liability company owned by Dominion Energy and Four Brothers Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of GIP effective August 2018 | |
| Fowler Ridge | Fowler I Holdings LLC, a wind-turbine facility in Benton County, Indiana | |
| FTRs | Financial transmission rights | |
| GAAP | U.S. generally accepted accounting principles | |
| Gal | Gallon | |
| Gas Distribution | Gas Distribution operating segment | |
| GENCO | South Carolina Generating Company, Inc. | |
| GHG | Greenhouse gas | |
| GIP | The legal entity, Global Infrastructure Partners, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of Global Infrastructure Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| Granite Mountain | Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company owned by Dominion Energy and Granite Mountain Renewables, LLC, a subsidiary of GIP effective August 2018 | |
| Grassfield Solar | A proposed 20 MW utility-scale solar power station in Chesapeake, Virginia | |
| Green Mountain | Green Mountain Power Corporation | |
| Greensville County | A 1,588 MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power station in Greensville County, Virginia | |
| GT&S Transaction | The sale by Dominion Energy to BHE of Dominion Energy Gas, DGP, DECGS, Eastern Energy Field Services, Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Energy Field Services, Inc.) and Modular LNG Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Modular LNG Holdings, Inc.) (which holds a 50% noncontrolling interest in JAX LNG) pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement entered into on July 3, 2020, which was completed on November 1, 2020 | |
| GTSA | Virginia Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 | |
| GW | Gigawatt | |
| Heating degree days | Units measuring the extent to which the average daily temperature is less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or 60 degrees Fahrenheit in DESC’s service territory, calculated as the difference between 65 or 60 degrees, as applicable, and the average temperature for that day | |
| Hope | Hope Gas, Inc., doing business as Dominion Energy West Virginia | |
| Hopewell | Polyester biomass power station |
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Commission | Idaho Public Utilities Commission | |
| Iron Springs | Iron Springs Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company owned by Dominion Energy and Iron Springs Renewables, LLC, a subsidiary of GIP effective August 2018 | |
| Iroquois | Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. | |
| IRS | Internal Revenue Service | |
| ISO | Independent system operator | |
| ISO-NE | ISO New England | |
| JAX LNG | JAX LNG, LLC, an LNG supplier in Florida serving the marine and LNG markets | |
| Jones Act | The Coastwise Merchandise Statute (commonly known as the Jones Act) 46 U.S.C. §55102 regulating U.S. maritime commerce | |
| July 2016 hybrids | Dominion Energy’s 2016 Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes due 2076 | |
| June 2006 hybrids | Dominion Energy’s 2006 Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes due 2066 | |
| Kewaunee | Kewaunee nuclear power station | |
| kV | Kilovolt | |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate | |
| LIFO | Last-in-first-out inventory method | |
| Liquefaction Facility | A natural gas export/liquefaction facility at the Cove Point LNG Facility | |
| LNG | Liquefied natural gas | |
| LTIP | Long-term incentive program | |
| Manchester | Manchester power station | |
| Massachusetts Municipal | Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company | |
| MATS | Utility Mercury and Air Toxics Standard Rule | |
| mcf | Thousand cubic feet | |
| mcfe | Thousand cubic feet equivalent | |
| MD&A | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |
| MGD | Million gallons a day | |
| Millstone | Millstone nuclear power station | |
| Millstone 2019 power purchase agreements | Power purchase agreements with Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company for Millstone to provide nine million MWh per year of electricity for ten years | |
| Moody’s | Moody’s Investors Service | |
| Mtpa | Million metric tons per annum | |
| MW | Megawatt | |
| MWh | Megawatt hour | |
| N2O | Nitrous oxide | |
| Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act | Legislation effective February 2005 designed to improve and maintain natural gas service infrastructure to meet the needs of customers in South Carolina | |
| NAV | Net asset value | |
| NEIL | Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited | |
| NERC | North American Electric Reliability Corporation | |
| NGL | Natural gas liquid | |
| NND Project | V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3 nuclear development project under which DESC and Santee Cooper undertook to construct two Westinghouse AP1000 Advanced Passive Safety Nuclear Units in Jenkinsville, South Carolina | |
| Norge Solar | A proposed 20 MW utility-scale solar power station located in James City County, Virginia | |
| North Anna | North Anna nuclear power station | |
| North Carolina Commission | North Carolina Utilities Commission | |
| NOX | Nitrogen oxide | |
| NRC | U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission | |
| NRG | The legal entity, NRG Energy, Inc., one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (including, effective November 2016 through August 2018, Four Brothers Holdings, LLC, Granite Mountain Renewables, LLC and Iron Springs Renewables, LLC) or operating segments, or the entirety of NRG Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries | |
| NSPS | New Source Performance Standards | |
| NWP 12 | A nationwide permit from the Army Corps of Engineers authorizing activities required for the construction, maintenance, repair and removal of utility lines, including electric transmission, gas pipelines, water and communications conduit and associate facilities in waters of the U.S. |
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NYSE | New York Stock Exchange | ||
| October 2014 hybrids | Dominion Energy’s 2014 Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes due 2054 | ||
| ODEC | Old Dominion Electric Cooperative | ||
| Ohio Commission | Public Utilities Commission of Ohio | ||
| Order 1000 | Order issued by FERC adopting requirements for electric transmission planning, cost allocation and development | ||
| OSHA Recordable Rate | Number of recordable cases, as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, for every 100 employees over the course of a year | ||
| Otter Creek Solar | A proposed 60 MW utility-scale solar power station located in Mecklenburg County, Virginia | ||
| PHMSA | Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration | ||
| PIR | Pipeline Infrastructure Replacement program deployed by East Ohio | ||
| PJM | PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. | ||
| PREP | Pipeline Replacement and Expansion Program, a program of replacing, upgrading and expanding natural gas utility infrastructure deployed by Hope | ||
| PSD | Prevention of significant deterioration | ||
| PSNC | Public Service Company of North Carolina, Incorporated, doing business as Dominion Energy North Carolina | ||
| PURA | Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority | ||
| Q-Pipe Transaction | The proposed sale by Dominion Energy to BHE of Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, DEQPS and QPC Holding Company, LLC (including its subsidiary Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company), pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement entered into on October 5, 2020 | ||
| Questar Gas | Questar Gas Company, doing business as Dominion Energy Utah, Dominion Energy Wyoming and Dominion Energy Idaho | ||
| RCC | Replacement Capital Covenant | ||
| Regulation Act | Legislation effective July 1, 2007, that amended the Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act and fuel factor statute, which legislation is also known as the Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act, as amended in 2015 and 2018 | ||
| RGGI | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | ||
| RICO | Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act | ||
| Rider B | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to the conversion of three of Virginia Power’s coal-fired power stations to biomass | ||
| Rider BW | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Brunswick County | ||
| Rider CE | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of the costs related to certain renewable generation facilities in Virginia | ||
| Rider E | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to certain capital projects at Virginia Power’s electric generating stations to comply with federal and state environmental laws and regulations | ||
| Rider GV | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Greensville County | ||
| Rider R | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Bear Garden | ||
| Rider RGGI | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to the purchase of allowances through the RGGI market-based trading program for CO2 | ||
| Rider RPS | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to the mandatory renewable portfolio standard program established by the VCEA | ||
| Rider S | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center | ||
| Rider T1 | A rate adjustment clause to recover the difference between revenues produced from transmission rates included in base rates, and the new total revenue requirement developed annually for the rate years effective September 1 | ||
| Rider U | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs of new underground distribution facilities | ||
| Rider US-2 | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Woodland Solar, Scott Solar and Whitehouse Solar | ||
| Rider US-3 | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Colonial Trail West and Spring Grove 1 | ||
| Rider US-4 | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Sadler Solar |
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rider W | A rate adjustment clause associated with the recovery of costs related to Warren County | ||
| Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A | Rate adjustment clauses associated with the recovery of costs related to certain DSM programs approved in DSM cases | ||
| ROE | Return on equity | ||
| ROIC | Return on invested capital | ||
| RSN | Remarketable subordinated note | ||
| RTEP | Regional transmission expansion plan | ||
| RTO | Regional transmission organization | ||
| Sadler Solar | An approximately 100 MW proposed utility-scale solar power station located in Greensville County, Virginia | ||
| SAFSTOR | A method of nuclear decommissioning, as defined by the NRC, in which a nuclear facility is placed and maintained in a condition that allows the facility to be safely stored and subsequently decontaminated to levels that permit release for unrestricted use | ||
| SAIDI | System Average Interruption Duration Index, metric used to measure electric service reliability | ||
| Santee Cooper | South Carolina Public Service Authority | ||
| SBL Holdco | SBL Holdco, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DGI | ||
| SCANA | The legal entity, SCANA Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of SCANA Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries | ||
| SCANA Combination | Dominion Energy’s acquisition of SCANA completed on January 1, 2019 pursuant to the terms of the agreement and plan of merger entered on January 2, 2018 between Dominion Energy and SCANA | ||
| SCANA Merger Approval Order | Final order issued by the South Carolina Commission on December 21, 2018 setting forth its approval of the SCANA Combination | ||
| SCDHEC | South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control | ||
| SCDOR | South Carolina Department of Revenue | ||
| Scott Solar | A 17 MW utility-scale solar power station in Powhatan County, Virginia | ||
| SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | ||
| SEMI | SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc. | ||
| September 2006 hybrids | Dominion Energy’s 2006 Series B Enhanced Junior Subordinated Notes due 2066 | ||
| SERC | Southeast Electric Reliability Council | ||
| Series A Preferred Stock | Dominion Energy’s 1.75% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share | ||
| Series B Preferred Stock | Dominion Energy’s 4.65% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share | ||
| SF6 | Sulfur hexafluoride | ||
| SO2 | Sulfur dioxide | ||
| South Carolina Commission | Public Service Commission of South Carolina | ||
| Southampton | Southampton biomass power station | ||
| Southern | The legal entity, The Southern Company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of The Southern Company and its consolidated subsidiaries | ||
| Spring Grove 1 | A 98 MW utility-scale solar power station located in Surry County, Virginia | ||
| Standard & Poor’s | Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. | ||
| Summer | V.C. Summer nuclear power station | ||
| Supply Header Project | A project previously intended for DETI to provide approximately 1,500,000 Dths of firm transportation service to various customer in connection with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project | ||
| Surry | Surry nuclear power station | ||
| Sycamore Solar | A proposed 42 MW utility-scale solar power station located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia | ||
| Terra Nova Renewable Partners | A partnership comprised primarily of institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management—Global Real Assets | ||
| Three Cedars | Granite Mountain and Iron Springs, collectively | ||
| TSR | Total shareholder return | ||
| Utah Commission | Utah Public Service Commission | ||
| VCEA | Virginia Clean Economy Act of 2020 | ||
| VDEQ | Virginia Department of Environmental Quality | ||
| VEBA | Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association |
| Abbreviation or Acronym | Definition | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| VIE | Variable interest entity | ||
| Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center | A 610 MW baseload carbon-capture compatible, clean coal powered electric generation facility in Wise County, Virginia | ||
| Virginia Commission | Virginia State Corporation Commission | ||
| Virginia Power | The legal entity, Virginia Electric and Power Company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries or operating segment, or the entirety of Virginia Electric and Power Company and its consolidated subsidiaries | ||
| VOC | Volatile organic compounds | ||
| Warren County | A 1,350 MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power station in Warren County, Virginia | ||
| WECTEC | WECTEC Global Project Services, Inc. (formerly known as Stone & Webster, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westinghouse | ||
| West Virginia Commission | Public Service Commission of West Virginia | ||
| Westinghouse | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | ||
| Wexpro | The legal entity, Wexpro Company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of Wexpro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries | ||
| Wexpro Agreement | An agreement which sets forth the rights of Questar Gas to receive certain benefits from Wexpro’s operations, including cost-of-service gas | ||
| Wexpro II Agreement | An agreement with the states of Utah and Wyoming modeled after the Wexpro Agreement that allows for the addition of properties under the cost-of-service methodology for the benefit of Questar Gas customers | ||
| Whitehouse Solar | A 20 MW utility-scale solar power station in Louisa County, Virginia | ||
| White River Hub | White River Hub, LLC | ||
| Woodland Solar | A 19 MW utility-scale solar power station in Isle of Wight County, Virginia | ||
| Wrangler | Wrangler Retail Gas Holdings, LLC, a partnership between Dominion Energy and Interstate Gas Supply, Inc. | ||
| Wyoming Commission | Wyoming Public Service Commission | ||
Part I
Item 1. Business
GENERAL
Dominion Energy, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and incorporated in Virginia in 1983, is one of the nation’s largest producers and distributors of energy. Dominion Energy’s strategy is to be a leading sustainable provider of electricity, natural gas and related services to customers primarily in the eastern and Rocky Mountain regions of the U.S. As of December 31, 2020, Dominion Energy’s portfolio of assets includes approximately 30.2 GW of electric generating capacity, 10,500 miles of electric transmission lines, 85,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 94,200 miles of gas distribution mains and related service facilities, which are supported by 6,200 miles of gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline. In addition, Dominion Energy owns approximately 2,400 miles of gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline through entities under agreement to be sold to BHE. As of December 31, 2020, Dominion Energy operates in 16 states and serves more than 7 million customers.
Dominion Energy continues to focus on expanding and improving its regulated and long-term contracted electric and natural gas utility businesses while transitioning to a cleaner energy future. Its growth capital expenditure plan for 2021 through 2025 includes a focus on upgrading the electric system in Virginia through investments in additional renewable generation facilities, strategic undergrounding and energy conservation programs. Renewable generation facilities are expected to include significant investments in utility-scale solar and offshore wind projects. In addition, Dominion Energy is currently seeking license extensions for its regulated nuclear power stations in Virginia. Other drivers for the growth capital plan include renewable natural gas initiatives and the replacement and modernization of gas distribution pipeline. Dominion Energy also plans to continue upgrading its gas and electric transmission and distribution networks while also meeting environmental requirements and standards set by various regulatory bodies.
Dominion Energy has continued its transition to a more state-regulated earnings mix as evidenced by its capital investments in regulated infrastructure, the SCANA and Dominion Energy Questar Combinations, the partially completed sale of substantially all of its gas transmission and storage operations to BHE and the divestiture of interests in certain nonregulated generating facilities and natural gas gathering and processing investments. Dominion Energy expects approximately 90% of earnings from its primary operating segments to come from state-regulated electric and natural gas utility businesses. Dominion Energy’s nonregulated operations consist of primarily long-term contracted electric generation operations and its investment in Cove Point. Dominion Energy’s operations are conducted through various subsidiaries, including Virginia Power.
In January 2019, Dominion Energy completed the SCANA Combination in a stock-for-stock merger valued at $13.4 billion. SCANA, which operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy, is primarily engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the central, southern and southwestern portions of South Carolina and in the distribution of natural gas in North Carolina and South Carolina. DESC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCANA, is consolidated by Dominion Energy and remains an SEC registrant. However, its Form 10-K is filed separately and is not combined herein.
Virginia Power, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and incorporated in Virginia in 1909 as a Virginia public service corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy and a regulated public utility that generates, transmits and distributes electricity for sale in Virginia and North Carolina. In Virginia, Virginia Power conducts business under the name “Dominion Energy Virginia” and primarily serves retail customers. In North Carolina, it conducts business under the name “Dominion Energy North Carolina” and serves retail customers located in the northeastern region of the state, excluding certain municipalities. In addition, Virginia Power sells and transmits electricity at wholesale prices to rural electric cooperatives, municipalities and into wholesale electricity markets. All of Virginia Power’s stock is owned by Dominion Energy.
Amounts and information disclosed for Dominion Energy are inclusive of Virginia Power, where applicable.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANIES
The Companies file their annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Their SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Companies make their SEC filings, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, available, free of charge, through Dominion Energy’s website, http://www.dominionenergy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing or furnishing the material to the SEC. We also make available on the “Investors” page of our website additional information which may be important to investors, such as investor presentations, earnings release kits and other materials and presentations. Information contained on Dominion Energy’s website, including but not limited to reports mentioned in Environmental Strategy, is not incorporated by reference in this report.
A****CQUISITIONS AND D****ISPOSITIONS
The following acquisitions and divestitures within the last three years are considered significant to the Companies.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations
Sales to BHE
In November 2020, Dominion Energy completed the GT&S Transaction with BHE for approximately $2.7 billion in cash proceeds and the assumption by BHE of approximately $5.3 billion of related long-term debt.
In October 2020, Dominion Energy entered into an agreement for the Q-Pipe Transaction with BHE for $1.3 billion in cash consideration and the assumption by BHE of approximately $430 million of related long-term debt. This transaction is expected to close in early 2021, contingent on clearance or approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other customary closing and regulatory conditions.
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Acquisition of Interest in Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Pivotal LNG, Inc.
In March 2020, Dominion Energy completed the acquisition from Southern to acquire its 5% membership interest in Atlantic Coast Pipeline and its 100% ownership interest in Pivotal LNG, Inc., for $184 million in aggregate, plus certain purchase price adjustments. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information, including the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project. Pivotal LNG, Inc. was included within the GT&S Transaction and sold to BHE in November 2020.
Purchase of Dominion Energy Midstream Units
In January 2019, Dominion Energy acquired all outstanding partnership interests of Dominion Energy Midstream not owned by Dominion Energy through the issuance of 22.5 million shares of Dominion Energy common stock. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Dominion Energy Midstream was included within the GT&S Transaction and sold to BHE in November 2020.
Sale of Interest in Cove PointIn December 2019, Dominion Energy completed the sale of a 25% noncontrolling interest in Cove Point to Brookfield in exchange for cash consideration of $2.1 billion, subject to working capital adjustments. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In addition, a 25% controlling interest in Cove Point was included within the GT&S Transaction and sold to BHE in November 2020.
SCANA
In January 2019, Dominion Energy and SCANA completed a stock-for-stock merger valued at $13.4 billion, inclusi
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
The Companies’ businesses are influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond their control. A number of these factors have been identified below. For other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement or projection contained in this report, see Forward-Looking Statements in Item 7. MD&A.
Regulatory, Legislative and Legal Risks
The rates of the Companies’ principal electric transmission, distribution and generation operations and gas distribution operations are subject to regulatory review. Revenue provided by the Companies’ electric transmission, distribution and generation operations and by gas distribution operations is based primarily on rates approved by state and federal regulatory agencies. The profitability of the Companies’ businesses is dependent on their ability, through the rates that they are permitted to charge, to recover costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on their capital investment.
At the federal level, the Companies’ wholesale rates for electric transmission service are regulated by FERC. Rates for electric transmission services are updated annually according to a FERC-approved formula rate mechanism, and may be subject to additional prospective adjustments and retroactive corrections. A failure by the Companies to support these rates could result in rate decreases from current rate levels, which could adversely affect the Companies’ results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
At the state level, Virginia Power’s retail base rates, terms and conditions for generation and distribution services to customers in Virginia are reviewed by the Virginia Commission in a proceeding that involves the determination of Virginia Power’s actual earned ROE during a historic test period, and the determination of Virginia Power’s authorized ROE prospectively. The GTSA reinstated triennial reviews commencing with the 2021 Triennial Review. Under certain circumstances described in the Regulation Act, Virginia Power may be required to refund a portion of its earnings to customers through a refund process and to reduce its rates. Additionally, Virginia Power’s ability to utilize CCROs for certain qualifying projects as provided for in the GTSA may be limited if the Virginia Commission does not approve such projects. Virginia Power makes assessments throughout the review period and will record a regulatory liability for refunds and/or CCRO benefits to customers in any period it is determined probable, which could be material to the Companies’ results of operations in the period recognized and to cash flows on completion of any triennial review.
In states other than Virginia, the Companies’ retail electric base rates for generation and distribution services to customers are regulated on a cost-of-service/rate-of-return basis subject to the statutes, rules and procedures of such states. Dominion Energy’s rates for gas distribution to retail customers are similarly regulated at the state level. If retail electric or gas earnings exceed the returns established by state utility commissions, retail electric rates or gas rates may be subject to review and possible reduction, which may decrease the Companies’ future earnings. Additionally, if any state utility commission does not allow recovery through base rates, on a timely basis, of costs incurred in providing service, the Company’s future earnings could be negatively impacted.
Under certain circumstances, state utility regulators may impose a moratorium on increases to retail base rates for a specified period of time, which could delay recovery of costs incurred in providing service. Additionally, governmental officials, stakeholders and advocacy groups may challenge any of these regulatory reviews. Such challenges may lengthen the time, complexity and costs associated with such regulatory reviews.
The Companies’ generation business may be negatively affected by possible FERC actions that could change market design in the wholesale markets or affect pricing rules or revenue calculations in the RTO markets. The Companies’ generation stations operating in RTO markets sell capacity, energy and ancillary services into wholesale electricity markets regulated by FERC. The wholesale markets allow these generation stations to take advantage of market price opportunities, but also expose them to market risk. Properly functioning competitive wholesale markets depend upon FERC’s continuation of clearly identified market rules. From time to time FERC may investigate and authorize RTOs to make changes in market design. FERC also periodically reviews the Companies’ authority to sell at market-based rates. Material changes by FERC to the design of the wholesale markets or its interpretation of market rules, the Companies’ authority to sell power at market-based rates, or changes to pricing rules or rules involving revenue calculations, could adversely impact the future results of the Companies’ generation business. For example, in December 2019, FERC issued an order on PJM’s Minimum Offer Price Rule proposals finding the PJM tariff unjust and unreasonable and directed PJM to expand the Minimum Offer Price Rule to all existing and new generation resources benefitting from a state subsidy to address the effects of state subsidies on new and existing resources on the PJM capacity market. The expanded Minimum Offer Price Rule will set a floor price on new and existing renewable and non-renewable state subsidized resources that do not seek a FERC exemption, increasing their risk of failing to clear the capacity auction and not obtaining a capacity payment and obligation. In addition, changes to the interpretation and application of FERC’s market manipulation rules may occur from time to time. A failure to comply with these market manipulation rules could lead to civil and criminal penalties.
The Companies are subject to complex governmental regulation, including tax regulation, that could adversely affect their results of operations and subject the Companies to monetary penalties. The Companies’ operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local regulation and require numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various governmental agencies. Such laws and regulations govern the terms and conditions of the services we offer, our relationships with affiliates, protection of our critical electric infrastructure assets and pipeline safety, among other matters. These operations are also subject to legislation governing taxation at the federal, state and local level. They must also comply with environmental legislation and associated regulations. Management believes that the necessary approvals have been obtained for existing operations and that the businesses are conducted in accordance with applicable laws. The Companies’ businesses are subject to regulatory regimes which could result in substantial monetary penalties if any of the Companies is found not to be in compliance, including mandatory reliability standards and interaction in the wholesale markets. New laws or regulations, the revision or reinterpretation of existing laws or regulations, changes in enforcement practices of regulators, or penalties imposed for non-compliance with existing laws or regulations may result in substantial additional expense. Recent legislative and regulatory changes that are impacting the Companies include the VCEA, the 2017 Tax Reform Act and tariffs imposed on imported solar panels by the U.S. government in 2018.
Through the SCANA Combination, Dominion Energy acquired SCANA and DESC which have been and continue to be subject to numerous legal proceedings and ongoing governmental investigations and examinations. While a significant portion of the federal and state legal proceedings and governmental investigations have been settled, SCANA and DESC remain defendants in multiple lawsuits and investigations relating to the decision to abandon construction at the NND Project. Among other things, the lawsuits and investigations allege misrepresentation, failure to properly manage the NND Project, unfair trade practices and violation of anti-trust laws. Additionally, pursuant to the SCANA Merger Agreement and applicable indemnification agreements, SCANA is indemnifying former directors and officers of SCANA and DESC who are defendants in federal and state legal proceedings relating to the decision to abandon construction at the NND Project and the subsequent SCANA Combination. Among other things, the lawsuits allege breaches of various fiduciary duties.
The outcome of these legal proceedings, investigations and examinations, including settlements, is uncertain and may adversely affect Dominion Energy’s financial condition or results of operation.
Environmental Risks
Compliance with federal and/or state requirements imposing limitations on GHG emissions or efficiency improvements, as well as Dominion Energy’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, may result in significant compliance costs, could result in certain of the Companies’ existing electric generation units being uneconomical to maintain or operate and may depend upon technological advancements which may be beyond the Companies’ control. Virginia has adopted the VCEA which establishes renewable energy and CO2 reduction targets for Virginia Power’s generation fleet and grid operations, including the requirement that 100% of Virginia Power’s electricity come from zero-carbon generation by the end of 2045. The legislation mandates the development of 16,100 MW of solar or onshore wind capacity by the end of 2035, 5,200 MW of offshore wind capacity before 2035, and 2,700 MW of energy storage by the end of 2035. The VCEA also directs Virginia Power to participate in a program consistent with RGGI, requiring the purchase of carbon credits to offset emissions from Virginia Power’s generating fleet within the state. Cost recovery for these initiatives will require approval by the Virginia Commission which may be denied or materially altered to the detriment of the Companies. In addition, permitting and other project execution challenges may hinder Virginia Power’s ability to meet the requirements of the VCEA. The Companies could face similar risks if there is further legislation at the federal and/or state level mandating additional limitations on GHG emissions or requiring additional efficiency improvements.
In February 2020, Dominion Energy announced its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To meet this commitment, the Companies expect to construct new electric generation facilities, including renewable facilities such as wind and solar, and to seek the extension of operating licenses for the Companies’ nuclear generation facilities. The Companies also need to depend on technological improvements not currently in commercial development. Additionally, actions taken in furtherance of Dominion Energy’s net zero commitment may impact existing generation facilities, including as a result of fuel switching and/or the retirement of high-emitting generation facilities and their potential replacement with lower-emitting generation facilities. Further, the ability to realize this commitment will require the Companies to be able to obtain significant financing. These efforts will require approvals from various regulatory bodies for the siting and construction of such new facilities and a determination by the applicable state commissions that costs related to the construction are prudent. Given these and other uncertainties associated with the implementation of Dominion Energy’s net zero commitment, the Companies cannot estimate the aggregate effect of future actions taken in furtherance of this commitment on their results of operations or financial condition or on their customers. However, such actions could render additional existing generation facilities uneconomical to operate, result in the impairment of assets, or otherwise adversely affect the Companies’ results of operations, financial performance or liquidity.
There are also potential impacts on Dominion Energy’s natural gas business from its net zero emissions commitment as well as federal or state GHG regulations which may require further GHG emission reductions from the natural gas sector which, in addition to
resulting in increased costs, could affect demand for natural gas. Additionally, GHG requirements could result in increased demand for energy conservation and renewable products, which could impact the natural gas business. Dominion Energy’s renewable natural gas projects, expected to be a key component of Dominion Energy’s environmental strategy, require approvals from various regulatory bodies for the siting and construction of such facilities.
The Companies’ operations and construction activities are subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations which impose significant compliance costs on the Companies. The Companies’ operations and construction activities are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources, and health and safety. Compliance with these legal requirements requires the Companies to commit significant capital toward permitting, emission fees, environmental monitoring, installation and operation of environmental control equipment and purchase of allowances and/or offsets. Additionally, the Companies could be responsible for expenses relating to remediation and containment obligations, including at sites where they have been identified by a regulatory agency as a potentially responsible party. Expenditures relating to environmental compliance have been significant in the past, and the Companies expect that they will remain significant in the future. Certain facilities have become uneconomical to operate and have been shut down, converted to new fuel types or sold. These types of events could occur again in the future.
We expect that existing environmental laws and regulations may be revised and/or new laws may be adopted including regulation of GHG emissions which could have an impact on the Companies’ business (risks relating to regulation of GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units are discussed in more detail below). In addition, further regulation of air quality and GHG emissions under the CAA may be imposed on the natural gas sector. The Companies are also subject to federal water and waste regulations, including regulations concerning cooling water intake structures, coal combustion by-product handling and disposal practices, wastewater discharges from steam electric generating stations, management and disposal of hydraulic fracturing fluids and the potential further regulation of polychlorinated biphenyls.
Compliance costs cannot be estimated with certainty due to the inability to predict the requirements and timing of implementation of any new environmental rules or regulations. Other factors which affect the ability to predict future environmental expenditures with certainty include the difficulty in estimating clean-up costs and quantifying liabilities under environmental laws that impose joint and several liabilities on all responsible parties. However, such expenditures, if material, could make the Companies’ facilities uneconomical to operate, result in the impairment of assets, or otherwise adversely affect the Companies’ results of operations, financial performance or liquidity.
The Companies are subject to risks associated with the disposal and storage of coal ash. The Companies historically produced and continue to produce coal ash, or CCRs, as a by-product of their coal-fired generation operations. The ash is stored and managed in impoundments (ash ponds) and landfills located at 11 different facilities, eight of which are at Virginia Power.
The EPA has issued regulations concerning the management and storage of CCRs, which Virginia has adopted. These CCR regulations require the Companies to make additional capital expenditures and increase operating and maintenance expenses. In addition, the Companies will incur expenses and other costs associated with closing, corrective action and ongoing monitoring of certain ash ponds. The Companies also may face litigation concerning their coal ash facilities.
Further, while the Companies operate their ash ponds and landfills in compliance with applicable state safety regulations, a release of coal ash with a significant environmental impact could result in remediation costs, civil and/or criminal penalties, claims, litigation, increased regulation and compliance costs, and reputational damage, and could impact the financial condition of the Companies.
Construction Risks
The Companies’ infrastructure build and expansion plans often require regulatory approval, including environmental permits, before commencing construction and completing projects. The Companies may not complete the facility construction, pipeline, conversion or other infrastructure projects that they commence, or they may complete projects on materially different terms, costs or timing than initially estimated or anticipated, and they may not be able to achieve the intended benefits of any such project, if completed. A number of large and small scale projects have been announced, including pipelines, electric transmission lines, facility expansions or renewed licensing, conversions and other infrastructure developments or construction. Additional projects may be considered in the future. The Companies compete for projects with companies of varying size and financial capabilities, including some that may have competitive advantages. Commencing construction on announced and future projects may require approvals from applicable state and federal agencies, and such approvals could include mitigation costs which may be material to the Companies. Projects may not be able to be completed on time or in accordance with our estimated costs as a result of weather conditions, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain regulatory approvals, delays in obtaining key materials, labor difficulties, difficulties with partners or potential partners, a decline in the credit strength of counterparties or vendors, or other factors beyond the Companies’ control. For example, Dominion Energy has been involved with projects which have experienced certain
delays in obtaining and maintaining permits necessary for construction along with construction delays due to judicial actions which impacted the cost and schedule such as the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project and ultimately led to its cancellation. Even if facility construction, pipeline, expansion, electric transmission line, conversion and other infrastructure projects are completed, the total costs of the projects may be higher than anticipated and the performance of the business of the Companies following completion of the projects may not meet expectations.
Start-up and operational issues can arise in connection with the commencement of commercial operations at our facilities. Such issues may include failure to meet specific operating parameters, which may require adjustments to meet or amend these operating parameters. Additionally, the Companies may not be able to timely and effectively integrate the projects into their operations and such integration may result in unforeseen operating difficulties or unanticipated costs. Further, regulators may disallow recovery of some of the costs of a project if they are deemed not to be prudently incurred. Any of these or other factors could adversely affect the Companies’ ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the facility construction, pipeline, electric transmission line, expansion, conversion and other infrastructure projects.
The development, construction and commissioning of several large-scale infrastructure projects simultaneously involves significant execution risk. To achieve Dominion Energy’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 and comply with the requirements of the VCEA, the Companies are currently simultaneously developing or constructing several electric generation projects, including Subsequent License Renewal projects at Surry and North Anna, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind projects and various solar projects. Several of the Companies’ key projects are increasingly large-scale, complex and being constructed in constrained geographic areas or in unfamiliar environments such as the marine environment for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind projects. The advancement of the Companies’ ventures is also affected by the interventions, litigation or other activities of stakeholder and advocacy groups, some of which oppose natural gas-related and energy infrastructure projects. For example, certain stakeholder groups oppose solar farms due to the increasing quantities of land tracts required for these facilities. Given that these projects provide the foundation for the Companies’ strategic growth plan, if the Companies are unable to obtain or maintain the required approvals, develop the necessary technical expertise, allocate and coordinate sufficient resources, adhere to budgets and timelines, effectively handle public outreach efforts, or otherwise fail to successfully execute the projects, there could be an adverse impact to the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Failure to comply with regulatory approval conditions or an adverse ruling in any future litigation could adversely affect the Companies’ ability to execute their business plan.
The Companies are dependent on their contractors for the successful and timely completion of large-scale infrastructure projects. The construction of such projects is expected to take several years, is typically confined within a limited geographic area or difficult environments and could be subject to delays, cost overruns, labor disputes and other factors that could cause the total cost of the project to exceed the anticipated amount and adversely affect the Companies’ financial performance and/or impair the Companies’ ability to execute the business plan for the project as scheduled.
Further, an inability to obtain financing or otherwise provide liquidity for the projects on acceptable terms could negatively affect the Companies’ financial condition, cash flows, the projects’ anticipated financial results and/or impair the Companies’ ability to execute the business plan for the projects as scheduled.
Operational Risks
The Companies’ financial performance and condition can be affected by changes in the weather, including the effects of global climate change. Fluctuations in weather can affect demand for the Companies’ services. For example, milder than normal weather can reduce demand for electricity and gas distribution services. In addition, severe weather or acts of nature, including hurricanes, winter storms, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters can stress systems, disrupt operation of the Companies’ facilities and cause service outages, production delays and property damage that require incurring additional expenses. Changes in weather conditions can result in reduced water levels or changes in water temperatures that could adversely affect operations at some of the Companies’ power stations. Furthermore, the Companies’ operations could be adversely affected and their physical plant placed at greater risk of damage should changes in global climate produce, among other possible conditions, unusual variations in temperature and weather patterns, resulting in more intense, frequent and extreme weather events, abnormal levels of precipitation and, for operations located on or near coastlines, a change in sea level or sea temperatures. Due to the location of the Companies’ electric utility service territories and a number of its other facilities in the eastern portions of the states of South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia which are frequently in the path of hurricanes, we experience the consequences of these weather events to a greater degree than many of our industry peers.
The Companies’ operations are subject to operational hazards, equipment failures, supply chain disruptions and personnel issues which could negatively affect the Companies. Operation of the Companies’ facilities involves risk, including the risk of potential breakdown or failure of equipment or processes due to aging infrastructure, fuel supply, pipeline integrity or transportation disruptions, accidents, labor disputes or work stoppages by employees, acts of terrorism or sabotage, construction delays or cost
overruns, shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment, material and labor, operational restrictions resulting from environmental limitations and governmental interventions, changes to the environment and performance below expected levels. The Companies’ businesses are dependent upon sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructure, the failure of which could prevent them from accomplishing critical business functions. Because the Companies’ transmission facilities, pipelines and other facilities are interconnected with those of third parties, the operation of their facilities and pipelines could be adversely affected by unexpected or uncontrollable events occurring on the systems of such third parties.
Operation of the Companies’ facilities below expected capacity levels could result in lost revenues and increased expenses, including higher maintenance costs. Unplanned outages of the Companies’ facilities and extensions of scheduled outages due to mechanical failures or other problems occur from time to time and are an inherent risk of the Companies’ business. Unplanned outages typically increase the Companies’ operation and maintenance expenses and may reduce their revenues as a result of selling less output or may require the Companies to incur significant costs as a result of operating higher cost units or obtaining replacement output from third parties in the open market to satisfy forward energy and capacity or other contractual obligations. Moreover, if the Companies are unable to perform their contractual obligations, penalties or liability for damages could result.
In addition, there are many risks associated with the Companies’ principal operations and the transportation and storage of natural gas including nuclear accidents, fires, explosions, uncontrolled release of natural gas and other environmental hazards, pole strikes, electric contact cases, the collision of third party equipment with pipelines and avian and other wildlife impacts. Such incidents could result in loss of human life or injuries among employees, customers or the public in general, environmental pollution, damage or destruction of facilities or business interruptions and associated public or employee safety impacts, loss of revenues, increased liabilities, heightened regulatory scrutiny and reputational risk. Further, the location of natural gas pipelines and associated distribution facilities, or electric generation, transmission, substations and distribution facilities near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers and industrial sites, could increase the level of damages resulting from these risks.
The Companies’ financial results can be adversely affected by various factors driving supply and demand for electricity and gas and related services. Technological advances required by federal laws mandate new levels of energy efficiency in end-use devices, including lighting, furnaces and electric heat pumps and could lead to declines in per capita energy consumption. Additionally, certain regulatory and legislative bodies have introduced or are considering requirements and/or incentives to reduce energy consumption by a fixed date. Further, Virginia Power’s business model is premised upon the cost efficiency of the production, transmission and distribution of large-scale centralized utility generation. However, advances in distributed generation technologies, such as solar cells, gas microturbines, battery storage and fuel cells, may make these alternative generation methods competitive with large-scale utility generation, and change how customers acquire or use our services. Virginia Power has an exclusive franchise to serve retail electric customers in Virginia. However, Virginia’s Retail Access Statutes allow certain electric generation customers exceptions to this franchise. As market conditions change, Virginia Power’s customers may further pursue exceptions and Virginia Power’s exclusive franchise may erode.
Reduced energy demand or significantly slowed growth in demand due to customer adoption of energy efficient technology, conservation, distributed generation, regional economic conditions, or the impact of additional compliance obligations, unless substantially offset through regulatory cost allocations, could adversely impact the value of the Companies’ business activities.
The Companies may be materially adversely affected by negative publicity. From time to time, political and public sentiment in connection with significant transactions and infrastructure projects, such as the SCANA Merger and the abandonment of the NND Project, may result in a significant amount of adverse press coverage and other adverse public statements affecting the Companies. While the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project was cancelled in July 2020 and several of the legal proceedings and governmental investigations relating to the abandonment of the NND Project have been resolved, there is a risk that lingering negative publicity may continue. Additionally, any failure by the Companies to realize voluntary targets set with respect to the reduction of GHG emissions or other long-term goals could lead to adverse press coverage and other adverse public statements affecting the Companies. Adverse press coverage and other adverse statements, whether or not driven by political or public sentiment, may also result in investigations by regulators, legislators and law enforcement officials or in legal claims.
Addressing any adverse publicity, governmental scrutiny or enforcement or other legal proceedings is time consuming and expensive and, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made, can have a negative impact on the reputation of the Companies, on the morale and performance of their employees and on their relationships with their respective regulators, customers and commercial counterparties. It may also have a negative impact on the Companies’ ability to take timely advantage of various business and market opportunities. The direct and indirect effects of negative publicity, and the demands of responding to and addressing it, may have a material adverse effect on the Companies’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
Dominion Energy’s nonregulated generation business operates in a challenging market, which could adversely affect its results of operations and future growth. The success of Dominion Energy’s contracted generation business depends upon favorable market
conditions including the ability to sell power at prices sufficient to cover its operating costs. Dominion Energy operates in active wholesale markets that expose it to price volatility for electricity and nuclear fuel as well as the credit risk of counterparties. Dominion Energy attempts to manage its price risk by entering into long-term power purchase agreements with customers as well as hedging transactions, including short-term and long-term fixed price sales and purchase contracts. The failure of Dominion Energy to maintain, renew or replace its existing long-term contracts on similar terms or with counterparties with similar credit profiles could result in a loss of revenue and/or decreased earnings and cash flows for Dominion Energy.
In these wholesale markets, the spot market price of electricity for each hour is generally determined by the cost of supplying the next unit of electricity to the market during that hour. In many cases, the next unit of electricity supplied would be provided by generating stations that consume fossil fuels, primarily natural gas. Consequently, the open market wholesale price for electricity generally reflects the cost of natural gas plus the cost to convert the fuel to electricity. Therefore, changes in the price of natural gas generally affect the open market wholesale price of electricity. To the extent Dominion Energy does not enter into long-term power purchase agreements or otherwise effectively hedge its output, these changes in market prices could adversely affect its financial results.
Dominion Energy purchases nuclear fuel primarily under long-term contracts. Dominion Energy is exposed to nuclear fuel cost volatility for the portion of its nuclear fuel obtained through short-term contracts or on the spot market, including as a result of market supply shortages. Nuclear fuel prices can be volatile and the price that can be obtained for power produced may not change at the same rate as nuclear fuel costs, thus adversely impacting Dominion Energy’s financial results. In addition, in the event that any of the contracted generation facilities experience a forced outage, Dominion Energy may not receive the level of revenue it anticipated.
Dominion Energy conducts certain operations through partnership arrangements involving third-party investors which may limit Dominion Energy’s operational flexibility or result in an adverse impact on its financial results. Certain of Dominion Energy’s operations are conducted through entities subject to partnership arrangements under which Dominion Energy has significant influence but does not control the operations of such entities or in which Dominion Energy’s control over such entities may be subject to certain rights of third-party investors. Accordingly, while Dominion Energy may have a certain level of control or influence over these entities, it may not have unilateral, or any, control over the day-to-day operations of these entities or over decisions that may have a material financial impact on the partnership participants, including Dominion Energy. In each case such partnership arrangements operate in accordance with their respective governance documents, and Dominion Energy is dependent upon third parties satisfying their respective obligations, including, as applicable, funding of their required share of capital expenditures. Such third-party investors have their own interests and objectives which may differ from those of Dominion Energy and, accordingly, disputes may arise amongst the owners of such partnership arrangements that may result in delays, litigation or operational impasses.
For example, Dominion Energy has a noncontrolling 50% interest in Cove Point following the sale of a 25% controlling interest to BHE in November 2020. This controlling interest allows BHE to make decisions affecting Cove Point’s ability to retain its long-term contracts. Cove Point is a party to certain contracts that allow a regulated service provider and a customer to mutually agree to sign a contract for service at a “negotiated rate” which may be above or below the FERC regulated, cost-based recourse rate for that service. These “negotiated rate” contracts are not generally subject to adjustment for increased costs which could be produced by inflation or other factors relating to the specific facilities being used to perform the services. Any shortfall of revenue as a result of these “negotiated rate” contracts could decrease Cove Point’s earnings and cash flows. The inability to maintain or renew such contracts on favorable terms may have a material impact to Dominion Energy’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Dominion Energy is also dependent upon BHE for managing counterparty credit risk relating to Cove Point’s terminal services agreements for its liquefied natural gas export/liquefaction facility. While the counterparties’ obligations are supported by parental guarantees and letters of credit, there is no assurance that such credit support would be sufficient to satisfy the obligations in the event of a counterparty default. In addition, if a controversy arises under either terminal services agreement resulting in a judgment in Cove Point’s favor, Cove Point may need to seek to enforce a final U.S. court judgment in a foreign tribunal, which could involve a lengthy process. Accordingly, there is no assurance that BHE may pursue remedies in the event of default in the same manner as Dominion Energy would if it had unilateral control over such decisions.
In addition, for certain contracted generation solar facilities in which Dominion Energy maintains a controlling interest, third-party investors hold certain protective rights. These rights may impact the ability of Dominion Energy to make certain decisions, such as the retention or distribution of available cash, significant acquisitions or dispositions of assets by those entities or the ability to sell or transfer its ownership interests.
Hostile cyber intrusions could severely impair the Companies’ operations, lead to the disclosure of confidential information, damage the reputation of the Companies and otherwise have an adverse effect on the Companies’ business. The Companies own assets deemed as critical infrastructure, the operation of which is dependent on information technology systems. Further, the computer systems that run the Companies’ facilities are not completely isolated from external networks. There appears to be an increasing level of activity, sophistication and maturity of threat actors, in particular nation state actors, that wish to disrupt the U.S. bulk power system and the U.S. gas transmission or distribution system. Such parties could view the Companies’ computer systems,
software or networks as attractive targets for cyber attack. For example, malware has been designed to target software that runs the nation’s critical infrastructure such as power transmission grids and gas pipelines. In addition, the Companies’ businesses require that they and their vendors collect and maintain sensitive customer data, as well as confidential employee and shareholder information, which is subject to electronic theft or loss.
A successful cyber attack on the systems that control the Companies’ electric generation, electric transmission or distribution assets could severely disrupt business operations, preventing the Companies from serving customers or collecting revenues. The breach of certain business systems could affect the Companies’ ability to correctly record, process and report financial information. A major cyber incident could result in significant expenses to investigate and repair security breaches or system damage and could lead to litigation, fines, other remedial action, heightened regulatory scrutiny and damage to the Companies’ reputation. In addition, the misappropriation, corruption or loss of personally identifiable information and other confidential data at the Companies or one of their vendors could lead to significant breach notification expenses and mitigation expenses such as credit monitoring. If a significant breach were to occur, the reputation of the Companies also could be adversely affected. While the Companies maintain property and casualty insurance, along with other contractual provisions, that may cover certain damage caused by potential cyber incidents, all damage and claims arising from such incidents may not be covered or may exceed the amount of any insurance available. For these reasons, a significant cyber incident could materially and adversely affect the Companies’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
War, acts and threats of terrorism, intentional acts and other significant events could adversely affect the Companies’ operations. The Companies cannot predict the impact that any future terrorist attacks or retaliatory military or other action may have on the energy industry in general or on the Companies’ businesses in particular. Any such future attacks or retaliatory action may adversely affect the Companies’ operations in a variety of ways, including by disrupting the power, fuel and other markets in which the Companies operate or requiring the implementation of additional, more costly security guidelines and measures. The Companies’ infrastructure facilities, including nuclear facilities and projects under construction, could be direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terror or other physical attack. Any physical compromise of the Companies’ facilities could adversely affect the Companies’ ability to generate, purchase, transmit or distribute electricity, distribute natural gas or otherwise operate their respective facilities in the most efficient manner or at all. In addition, the amount and scope of insurance coverage maintained against losses resulting from any such attack may not be sufficient to cover such losses or otherwise adequately compensate for any business disruptions that could result.
Instability in financial markets as a result of terrorism, war, intentional acts, pandemic, credit crises, recession or other factors could result in a significant decline in the U.S. economy and/or increase the cost or limit the availability of insurance or adversely impact the Companies’ ability to access capital on acceptable terms.
Failure to attract and retain key executive officers and an appropriately qualified workforce could have an adverse effect on the Companies’ operations. The Companies’ business strategy is dependent on their ability to recruit, retain and motivate employees. The Companies’ key executive officers are the Executive Chairman, CEO, CFO, COO and presidents and those responsible for financial, operational, legal, regulatory and accounting functions. Competition for skilled management employees in these areas of the Companies’ business operations is high. Certain events, such as an aging workforce, mismatch of skill set, or unavailability of contract resources may lead to operating challenges and increased costs. The challenges include lack of resources, loss of knowledge base and the length of time required for skill development. In this case, costs, including costs for contractors to replace employees, productivity costs and safety costs, may rise. Failure to hire and adequately train replacement employees, including the transfer of significant internal historical knowledge and expertise to new employees, or future availability and cost of contract labor may adversely affect the ability to manage and operate the Companies’ business. In addition, certain specialized knowledge is required of the Companies’ technical employees for construction and operation of transmission, generation and distribution assets. The Companies’ inability to attract and retain these employees could adversely affect their business and future operating results.
Nuclear Generation Risks
The Companies have substantial ownership interests in and operate nuclear generating units; as a result, each may incur substantial costs and liabilities. The Companies’ nuclear facilities are subject to operational, environmental, health and financial risks such as the on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel, the ability to dispose of such spent nuclear fuel, the ability to maintain adequate reserves for decommissioning, limitations on the amounts and types of insurance available, potential operational liabilities and extended outages, the costs of replacement power, the costs of maintenance and the costs of securing the facilities against possible terrorist attacks. The Companies maintain decommissioning trusts and external insurance coverage to minimize the financial exposure to these risks; however, it is possible that future decommissioning costs could exceed amounts in the decommissioning trusts and/or damages could exceed the amount of insurance coverage. If the Companies’ decommissioning trust funds are insufficient, and they are
not allowed to recover the additional costs incurred through insurance or regulatory mechanisms, their results of operations could be negatively impacted.
The Companies’ nuclear facilities are also subject to complex government regulation which could negatively impact their results of operations. The NRC has broad authority under federal law to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the operation of nuclear generating facilities. In the event of noncompliance, the NRC has the authority to impose fines, set license conditions, shut down a nuclear unit, or take some combination of these actions, depending on its assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved. Revised safety requirements promulgated by the NRC could require the Companies to make substantial expenditures at their nuclear plants. In addition, although the Companies have no reason to anticipate a serious nuclear incident at their plants, if an incident did occur, it could materially and adversely affect their results of operations and/or financial condition. A major incident at a nuclear facility anywhere in the world, such as the nuclear events in Japan in 2011, could cause the NRC to adopt increased safety regulations or otherwise limit or restrict the operation or licensing of domestic nuclear units.
Financial, Economic and Market Risks
Changing rating agency requirements could negatively affect the Companies’ growth and business strategy. In order to maintain appropriate credit ratings to obtain needed credit at a reasonable cost in light of existing or future rating agency requirements, the Companies may find it necessary to take steps or change their business plans in ways that may adversely affect their growth and earnings. A reduction in the Companies’ credit ratings could result in an increase in borrowing costs, loss of access to certain markets, or both, thus adversely affecting operating results and could require the Companies to post additional collateral in connection with some of its price risk management activities.
An inability to access financial markets and, in the case of Dominion Energy, obtain cash from subsidiaries could adversely affect the execution of the Companies’ business plans. The Companies rely on access to short-term money markets and longer-term capital markets as significant sources of funding and liquidity for business plans with increasing capital expenditure needs, normal working capital and collateral requirements related to hedges of future sales and purchases of energy-related commodities. Deterioration in the Companies’ creditworthiness, as evaluated by credit rating agencies or otherwise, or declines in market reputation either for the Companies or their industry in general, or general financial market disruptions outside of the Companies’ control could increase their cost of borrowing or restrict their ability to access one or more financial markets. Market disruptions could stem from general market disruption due to general credit market or political events, the planned phase out of LIBOR by the end of 2023 or the reform or replacement of other benchmark rates, the failure of financial institutions on which the Companies rely or the bankruptcy of an unrelated company. Increased costs and restrictions on the Companies’ ability to access financial markets may be severe enough to affect their ability to execute their business plans as scheduled.
Dominion Energy is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through its subsidiaries. Accordingly, Dominion Energy’s ability to execute its business plan is further subject to the earnings and cash flows of its subsidiaries and the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends or advance or repay funds to it, which may, from time to time, be subject to certain contractual restrictions or restrictions imposed by regulators.
Market performance, interest rates and other changes may decrease the value of the Companies’ decommissioning trust funds and Dominion Energy’s benefit plan assets or increase Dominion Energy’s liabilities, which could then require significant additional funding. The performance of the capital markets affects the value of the assets that are held in trusts to satisfy future obligations to decommission the Companies’ nuclear plants and under Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Companies have significant obligations in these areas and hold significant assets in these trusts. These assets are subject to market fluctuation and will yield uncertain returns, which may fall below expected return rates.
With respect to decommissioning trust funds, a decline in the market value of these assets may increase the funding requirements of the obligations to decommission the Companies’ nuclear plants or require additional NRC-approved funding assurance.
A decline in the market value of the assets held in trusts to satisfy future obligations under Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans may increase the funding requirements under such plans. Additionally, changes in interest rates will affect the liabilities under Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans; as interest rates decrease, the liabilities increase, potentially requiring additional funding. Further, changes in demographics, including increased numbers of retirements or changes in mortality assumptions, may also increase the funding requirements of the obligations related to the pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
If the decommissioning trust funds and benefit plan assets are negatively impacted by market fluctuations or other factors, the Companies’ results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows could be negatively affected.
The use of derivative instruments could result in financial losses and liquidity constraints. The Companies use derivative instruments, including futures, swaps, forwards, options and FTRs, to manage commodity, currency and financial market risks. In addition, Dominion Energy purchases and sells commodity-based contracts for hedging purposes.
The Dodd-Frank Act was enacted into law in July 2010 in an effort to improve regulation of financial markets. The CEA, as amended by Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act, requires certain over-the-counter derivatives, or swaps, to be cleared through a derivatives clearing organization and, if the swap is subject to a clearing requirement, to be executed on a designated contract market or swap execution facility. Non-financial entities that use swaps to hedge or mitigate commercial risk, often referred to as end users, may elect the end-user exception to the CEA’s clearing requirements. The Companies have elected to exempt their swaps from the CEA’s clearing requirements. If, as a result of changes to the rulemaking process, the Companies’ derivative activities are not exempted from the clearing, exchange trading or margin requirements, the Companies could be subject to higher costs due to decreased market liquidity or increased margin payments. In addition, the Companies’ swap dealer counterparties may attempt to pass-through additional trading costs in connection with changes to or the elimination of rulemaking that implements Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Future impairments of goodwill or other intangible assets or long-lived assets may have a material adverse effect on the Companies’ results. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if an event or circumstance occurs that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Other intangible assets and long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or circumstances indicate that an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. If Dominion Energy’s goodwill, including the goodwill recorded in connection with the SCANA Combination, or the Companies’ other intangible assets or long-lived assets are in the future determined to be impaired, the applicable Company would be required during the period in which the impairment is determined to record a noncash charge to earnings that may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results.
Exposure to counterparty performance may adversely affect the Companies’ financial results of operations. The Companies are exposed to credit risks of their counterparties and the risk that one or more counterparties may fail or delay the performance of their contractual obligations, including but not limited to payment for services. Some of Dominion Energy’s operations are conducted through partnership arrangements, as noted above. Counterparties could fail or delay the performance of their contractual obligations for a number of reasons, including the effect of regulations on their operations. Defaults or failure to perform by customers, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners, financial institutions or other third parties may adversely affect the Companies’ financial results.
Public health crises and epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19, could adversely affect the Companies’ business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and/or cash flows. The effects of the continued outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government responses could include extended disruptions to supply chains and capital markets, reduced labor availability and productivity and a prolonged reduction in economic activity. The effects could also have a variety of adverse impacts on the Companies, including reduced demand for energy, particularly from commercial and industrial customers, impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets and diminished ability of the Companies to access funds from financial institutions and capital markets. There remains uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and shutdowns. Such restrictions may cause operational interruptions and delays in construction projects, which, in the case of renewable energy projects, could delay the expected in-service dates of these projects and financial statement impact of the investment tax credits associated with these projects. For the duration of the outbreak of COVID-19, voluntary suspension, or potential legislative or government action, such as legislation enacted in Virginia in November 2020, may limit the Companies’ ability to collect on overdue accounts or disconnect services for non-payment, which may cause a decrease in the Companies’ results of operations and cash flows.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2020, Dominion Energy owned its principal executive office in Richmond, Virginia and five other corporate offices. Dominion Energy also leases corporate offices in Richmond, Virginia and other cities in which its subsidiaries operate. Virginia Power shares Dominion Energy’s principal executive office in Richmond, Virginia. In addition, Virginia Power leases certain buildings and equipment.
Dominion Energy’s assets consist primarily of its investments in its subsidiaries, the principal properties of which are described below by operating segment.
Certain of Virginia Power’s properties are subject to the lien of the Indenture of Mortgage securing its First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds. There were no bonds outstanding as of December 31, 2020; however, by leaving the indenture open, Virginia Power retains the flexibility to issue mortgage bonds in the future. Certain of Dominion Energy’s nonregulated generation facilities are also subject to liens. Additionally, DESC’s bond indenture, which secures its First Mortgage Bonds, constitutes a direct mortgage lien on substantially all of its electric utility property.
DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA
Virginia Power has approximately 6,700 miles of electric transmission lines of 69 kV or more located in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Portions of Virginia Power’s electric transmission lines cross national parks and forests under permits entitling the federal government to use, at specified charges, any surplus capacity that may exist in these lines. While Virginia Power owns and maintains its electric transmission facilities, they are a part of PJM, which coordinates the planning, operation, emergency assistance and exchange of capacity and energy for such facilities.
In addition, Virginia Power’s electric distribution network includes approximately 58,900 miles of distribution lines, exclusive of service level lines, in Virginia and North Carolina. The grants for most of its electric lines contain rights-of-way that have been obtained from the apparent owners of real estate, but underlying titles have not been examined. Where rights-of-way have not been obtained, they could be acquired from private owners by condemnation, if necessary. Many electric lines are on publicly-owned property, where permission to operate can be revoked. In addition, Virginia Power owns 473 substations. Dominion Energy also owns various solar facilities, primarily at schools in Virginia, with an aggregate generation capacity of 9 MW.
The following tables list Virginia Power’s generating units and capability as of December 31, 2020.
VIRGINIA POWER UTILITY GENERATION
| Plant | Location | Net Summer Capability (MW) | Percentage Net Summer Capability | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | |||||||||||
| Greensville County (CC) | Greensville County, VA | 1,629 | |||||||||
| Brunswick County (CC) | Brunswick County, VA | 1,376 | |||||||||
| Warren County (CC) | Warren County, VA | 1,370 | |||||||||
| Ladysmith (CT) | Ladysmith, VA | 783 | |||||||||
| Bear Garden (CC) | Buckingham County, VA | 622 | |||||||||
| Remington (CT) | Remington, VA | 622 | |||||||||
| Possum Point (CC) | Dumfries, VA | 573 | |||||||||
| Chesterfield (CC) | Chester, VA | 392 | |||||||||
| Elizabeth River (CT) | Chesapeake, VA | 330 | |||||||||
| Gordonsville Energy (CC) | Gordonsville, VA | 218 | |||||||||
| Gravel Neck (CT) | Surry, VA | 170 | |||||||||
| Darbytown (CT) | Richmond, VA | 168 | |||||||||
| Total Gas | 8,253 | 41 | % | ||||||||
| Coal | |||||||||||
| Mt. Storm | Mt. Storm, WV | 1,621 | |||||||||
| Chesterfield(1) | Chester, VA | 1,014 | |||||||||
| Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center | Wise County, VA | 610 | |||||||||
| Clover | Clover, VA | 439 | (2) | ||||||||
| Total Coal | 3,684 | 18 | |||||||||
| Nuclear | |||||||||||
| Surry | Surry, VA | 1,676 | |||||||||
| North Anna | Mineral, VA | 1,672 | (3) | ||||||||
| Total Nuclear | 3,348 | 17 | |||||||||
| Hydro | |||||||||||
| Bath County | Warm Springs, VA | 1,808 | (4) | ||||||||
| Gaston | Roanoke Rapids, NC | 220 | |||||||||
| Roanoke Rapids | Roanoke Rapids, NC | 95 | |||||||||
| Other | 1 | ||||||||||
| Total Hydro | 2,124 | 10 | |||||||||
| Oil | |||||||||||
| Yorktown(1) | Yorktown, VA | 790 | |||||||||
| Gravel Neck (CT) | Surry, VA | 198 | |||||||||
| Darbytown (CT) | Richmond, VA | 168 | |||||||||
| Rosemary (CC) | Roanoke Rapids, NC | 160 | |||||||||
| Possum Point (CT) | Dumfries, VA | 72 | |||||||||
| Low Moor (CT) | Covington, VA | 48 | |||||||||
| Northern Neck (CT) | Lively, VA | 47 | |||||||||
| Chesapeake (CT) | Chesapeake, VA | 39 | |||||||||
| Total Oil | 1,522 | 7 | |||||||||
| Solar(5) | |||||||||||
| Colonial Trail West | Surry County, VA | 142 | |||||||||
| Spring Grove | Surry County, VA | 98 | |||||||||
| Whitehouse Solar | Louisa County, VA | 20 | |||||||||
| Woodland Solar | Isle of Wight County, VA | 19 | |||||||||
| Scott Solar | Powhatan, VA | 17 | |||||||||
| Total Solar | 296 | 1 | |||||||||
| Biomass | |||||||||||
| Altavista(6) | Altavista, VA | 51 | |||||||||
| Polyester(6) | Hopewell, VA | 51 | |||||||||
| Southampton(6) | Southampton, VA | 51 | |||||||||
| Total Biomass | 153 | 1 | |||||||||
| Various | |||||||||||
| Mt. Storm (CT) | Mt. Storm, WV | 11 | — | ||||||||
| 19,391 | |||||||||||
| Power Purchase Agreements | 917 | 5 | |||||||||
| Total Utility Generation | 20,308 | 100 | % |
Note: (CT) denotes combustion turbine and (CC) denotes combined cycle.
(1) Will be retired after it meets its capacity obligation in 2023. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2) Excludes 50% undivided interest owned by ODEC.
(3) Excludes 11.6% undivided interest owned by ODEC.
(4) Excludes 40% undivided interest owned by Allegheny Generating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.
(5) All solar facilities are alternating current.
(6) In accordance with the VCEA, these units will be retired no later than 2028.
VIRGINIA POWER NON-JURISDICTIONAL GENERATION
| Plant | Location | Net Summer Capability (MW) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar(1) | ||||||
| Gutenberg | Garysburg, NC | 80 | ||||
| Grasshopper | Mecklenburg County, VA | 80 | ||||
| Pecan | Pleasant Hill, NC | 75 | ||||
| Chestnut | Halifax County, NC | 75 | ||||
| Gloucester | Gloucester County, VA | 20 | ||||
| Montross | Westmoreland County, VA | 20 | ||||
| Morgans Corner | Pasquotank County, NC | 20 | ||||
| Remington | Fauquier County, VA | 20 | ||||
| Oceana | Virginia Beach, VA | 18 | ||||
| Hollyfield | Manquin, VA | 17 | ||||
| Puller | Topping, VA | 15 | ||||
| Total Non-Jurisdictional Generation | 440 |
| (1) | All solar facilities are alternating current. |
|---|
GAS DISTRIBUTION
Gas Distribution’s network is located in Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, Utah, southwestern Wyoming and southeastern Idaho. This network includes approximately 75,500 miles of distribution mains and related service facilities which are supported by approximately 5,700 miles of transmission, gathering and storage pipeline. The right-of-way grants for many natural gas pipelines have been obtained from the actual owners of real estate, as underlying titles have been examined. Where rights-of-way have not been obtained, they could be acquired from private owners by condemnation, if necessary. Many natural gas pipelines are on publicly-owned property, where company rights and actions are determined on a case-by-case basis, with results that range from reimbursed relocation to revocation of permission to operate.
East Ohio’s integrated underground storage facilities have more than 60 bcf of working gas capacity to serve base and peak demand. PSNC owns one LNG facility that stores the liquefied equivalent of 1.0 bcf of natural gas, can regasify approximately 10% of its storage capacity per day and can liquefy less than 1% of its storage capacity per day.
DOMINION ENERGY SOUTH CAROLINA
DESC has approximately 3,800 miles and 26,700 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines, respectively, exclusive of service level lines, in South Carolina. The grants for most of DESC’s electric lines contain rights-of-way that have been obtained from the apparent owners of real estate, but underlying property titles have not been examined. Where rights-of-way have not been obtained, they could be acquired from private owners by condemnation, if necessary. Many electric lines are on publicly-owned property, where permission to operate can be revoked. In addition, DESC owns 442 substations.
DESC’s natural gas system includes approximately 18,700 miles of distribution mains and related service facilities, which are supported by approximately 500 miles of transmission pipeline.
DESC owns two LNG facilities, one located near Charleston, South Carolina, and the other in Salley, South Carolina. The Charleston facility can store the liquefied equivalent of 1.0 bcf of natural gas, can regasify approximately 6% of its storage capacity per day and can liquefy less than 1% of its storage capacity per day. The Salley facility can store the liquefied equivalent of 0.9 bcf of natural gas and can regasify approximately 10% of its storage capacity per day. The Salley facility has no liquefying capabilities.
The following table lists DESC’s generating units and capability as of December 31, 2020.
| Plant | Location | Net Summer Capability (MW) | Percentage Net Summer Capability | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | |||||||||||
| Jasper (CC) (1) | Hardeeville, SC | 852 | |||||||||
| Columbia Energy Center (CC) (1) | Gaston, SC | 519 | |||||||||
| Urquhart (CC) (1) | Beech Island, SC | 458 | |||||||||
| McMeekin | Irmo, SC | 250 | |||||||||
| Hagood (CT) (1) | Charleston, SC | 126 | |||||||||
| Urquhart Unit 3 | Beech Island, SC | 95 | |||||||||
| Urquhart (CT) | Beech Island, SC | 87 | |||||||||
| Parr (CT) (1) | Jenkinsville, SC | 60 | |||||||||
| Coit (CT) (1) | Columbia, SC | 26 | |||||||||
| Williams (CT) (1) | Goose Creek, SC | 20 | |||||||||
| Total Gas(2) | 2,493 | 41 | % | ||||||||
| Coal | |||||||||||
| Williams | Goose Creek, SC | 605 | |||||||||
| Cope (3) | Cope, SC | 415 | |||||||||
| Wateree | Eastover, SC | 342 | |||||||||
| Total Coal | 1,362 | 22 | |||||||||
| Hydro | |||||||||||
| Fairfield | Jenkinsville, SC | 576 | |||||||||
| Saluda | Irmo, SC | 190 | |||||||||
| Other | Various | 18 | |||||||||
| Total Hydro | 784 | 13 | |||||||||
| Nuclear | |||||||||||
| Summer | Jenkinsville, SC | 652 | (4) | 10 | |||||||
| 5,291 | |||||||||||
| Power Purchase Agreements | 846 | (5) | 14 | ||||||||
| Total Utility Generation | 6,137 | 100 | % |
Note: (CT) denotes combustion turbine and (CC) denotes combined cycle.
| (1) | Capable of burning fuel oil as a secondary source. |
|---|
| (2) | Excludes the Hardeeville gas combustion turbine which currently does not have any net summer capability. |
|---|
| (3) | Capable of burning natural gas as a secondary source. |
|---|
| (4) | Excludes 33.3% undivided interest owned by Santee Cooper. |
|---|
| (5) | Includes 157MW from agreements with certain solar facilities within Contracted Assets. |
|---|
CONTRACTED ASSETS
Contracted Assets includes Dominion Energy’s 50% noncontrolling interest in Cove Point. The Cove Point LNG Facility has an operational peak regasification daily send-out capacity of approximately 1.8 million Dths and an aggregate LNG storage capacity of approximately 14.6 bcfe. In addition, Cove Point has a small liquefier that has the potential to create approximately 15,000 Dths/day. The Liquefaction Facility consists of one LNG train with a nameplate outlet capacity of 5.25 Mtpa. Cove Point has authorization from the DOE to export up to 0.77 bcfe/day (approximately 5.75 Mtpa) should the Liquefaction Facility perform better than expected. In addition, Cove Point operates a 136-mile natural gas pipeline that connects the Cove Point LNG Facility to interstate natural gas pipelines.
The following table lists Contracted Assets’ generating units and capability as of December 31, 2020.
| Plant | Location | Net Summer Capability (MW) | Percentage Net Summer Capability | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear | |||||||||||
| Millstone | Waterford, CT | 2,001 | (1) | ||||||||
| Total Nuclear | 2,001 | 58 | % | ||||||||
| Solar(2) | |||||||||||
| Escalante I, II and III | Beaver County, UT | 120 | (3) | ||||||||
| Amazon Solar Farm Virginia – Southampton | Newsoms, VA | 100 | (4) | ||||||||
| Hardin I | Hardin County, OH | 97 | |||||||||
| Amazon Solar Farm Virginia – Accomack | Oak Hall, VA | 80 | (4) | ||||||||
| Greensville | Greensville County, VA | 80 | |||||||||
| Innovative Solar 37 | Morven, NC | 79 | (4) | ||||||||
| Wilkinson | Pantego, NC | 74 | |||||||||
| Seabrook | Beaufort County, SC | 73 | |||||||||
| Moffett Solar 1 | Ridgeland, SC | 71 | (4) | ||||||||
| Granite Mountain East and West | Iron County, UT | 65 | (3) | ||||||||
| Summit Farms Solar | Moyock, NC | 60 | (4) | ||||||||
| Enterprise | Iron County, UT | 40 | (3) | ||||||||
| Iron Springs | Iron County, UT | 40 | (3) | ||||||||
| Pavant Solar | Holden, UT | 34 | (5) | ||||||||
| Camelot Solar | Mojave, CA | 30 | (5) | ||||||||
| Midway II | Calipatria, CA | 30 | (4) | ||||||||
| Indy I, II and III | Indianapolis, IN | 20 | (5) | ||||||||
| Amazon Solar Farm Virginia – Buckingham | Cumberland, VA | 20 | (4) | ||||||||
| Amazon Solar Farm Virginia – Correctional | Barhamsville, VA | 20 | (4) | ||||||||
| Hecate Cherrydale | Cape Charles, VA | 20 | (4) | ||||||||
| Amazon Solar Farm Virginia – Sussex Drive | Stoney Creek, VA | 20 | (4) | ||||||||
| Amazon Solar Farm Virginia – Scott II | Powhatan, VA | 20 | (4) | ||||||||
| Cottonwood Solar | Kings and Kern Counties, CA | 16 | (5) | ||||||||
| Myrtle | Suffolk, VA | 15 | |||||||||
| Adams East Solar | Tranquility, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Alamo Solar | San Bernardino, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| CID Solar | Corcoran, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Imperial Valley Solar | Imperial County, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Kansas Solar | Lenmore, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Kent South Solar | Lenmore, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Maricopa West Solar | Kern County, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Old River One Solar | Bakersfield, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Richland Solar | Jeffersonville, GA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| West Antelope Solar | Lancaster, CA | 13 | (5) | ||||||||
| Catalina 2 Solar | Kern County, CA | 12 | (5) | ||||||||
| Mulberry Solar | Selmer, TN | 11 | (5) | ||||||||
| Selmer Solar | Selmer, TN | 11 | (5) | ||||||||
| Columbia 2 Solar | Mojave, CA | 10 | (5) | ||||||||
| Hecate Energy Clarke County | White Post, VA | 10 | (4) | ||||||||
| Ridgeland Solar Farm I | Ridgeland, SC | 10 | (4) | ||||||||
| Other | Various | 56 | (4) (5) | ||||||||
| Total Solar | 1,474 | 42 | |||||||||
| Total Nonregulated Generation | 3,475 | 100 | % |
| (1) | Excludes 6.53% undivided interest in Unit 3 owned by Massachusetts Municipal and Green Mountain. |
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| (2) | All solar facilities are alternating current. |
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| (3) | Excludes 50% noncontrolling interest owned by GIP. Dominion Energy’s interest is subject to a lien securing Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc.’s debt. |
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| (4) | Dominion Energy’s interest is subject to a lien securing Eagle Solar’s debt. |
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| (5) | Excludes 33% noncontrolling interest owned by Terra Nova Renewable Partners. Dominion Energy’s interest is subject to a lien securing SBL Holdco’s debt. |
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Companies are parties to various legal, environmental or other regulatory proceedings, including in the ordinary course of business. SEC regulations require disclosure of certain environmental matters when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings and such proceedings involve potential monetary sanctions that the Companies reasonably believe will exceed a specified threshold. Pursuant to the SEC regulations, the Companies use a threshold of $1 million for such proceedings. See Notes 13 and 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which information is incorporated herein by reference, for discussion of certain legal, environmental and other regulatory proceedings to which the Companies are a party.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Information about our Executive Officers
Information concerning the executive officers of Dominion Energy, each of whom is elected annually, is as follows:
| Name and Age | Business Experience Past Five Years(1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas F. Farrell, II (66) | Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors from October 2020 to present; President and CEO from April 2007 to September 2020. | |
| Robert M. Blue (53) | President and CEO from October 2020 to present; Director from November 2020 to present; Executive Vice President and Co-COO from December 2019 to September 2020; Executive Vice President and President & CEO—Power Delivery Group from May 2017 to November 2019; Senior Vice President and President & CEO—Dominion Virginia Power from January 2017 to May 2017; Senior Vice President—Law, Regulation & Policy from February 2016 to December 2016; Senior Vice President—Regulation, Law, Energy Solutions and Policy from May 2015 to January 2016. | |
| James R. Chapman (51) | Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer from January 2019 to present; Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer from November 2018 to December 2018; Senior Vice President—Mergers & Acquisitions and Treasurer from February 2016 to October 2018; Vice President—Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions and Assistant Treasurer from May 2015 to January 2016. | |
| Diane Leopold (54) | Executive Vice President and COO from October 2020 to present; Executive Vice President and Co-COO from December 2019 to September 2020; Executive Vice President and President & CEO—Gas Infrastructure Group from May 2017 to November 2019; Senior Vice President and President & CEO—Dominion Energy from January 2017 to May 2017; President of East Ohio from January 2014 to September 2020. | |
| Edward H. Baine (47) | President—Dominion Energy Virginia from October 2020 to present; Senior Vice President—Power Delivery of Virginia Power from December 2019 to September 2020; Senior Vice President—Distribution of Virginia Power from February 2016 to November 2019; Senior Vice President—Transmission and Customer Service of Virginia Power from June 2015 to January 2016. | |
| P. Rodney Blevins (56) | President—Dominion Energy South Carolina from December 2019 to present; President & Chief Executive Officer—Southeast Energy Group from January 2019 to November 2019; Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer from January 2014 to December 2018. | |
| Carlos M. Brown (46) | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer from December 2019 to present; Senior Vice President and General Counsel from January 2019 to November 2019; Vice President and General Counsel from January 2017 to December 2018; Deputy General Counsel—Litigation, Labor, and Employment of DES from July 2016 to December 2016; Director—Power Generation Station II of DES from July 2015 to June 2016. | |
| Michele L. Cardiff (53) | Senior Vice President, Controller and CAO from October 2020 to present; Vice President, Controller and CAO from April 2014 to September 2020. | |
| William L. Murray (53) | Senior Vice President—Corporate Affairs & Communications from February 2019 to present; Vice President—State & Electric Public Policy of DES from May 2017 to January 2019; Senior Policy Director—Public Policy of DES from April 2016 to May 2017; Managing Director—Corporate Public Policy of DES from June 2007 to March 2016. | |
| Donald R. Raikes (58) | President—Gas Distribution of Dominion Energy from December 2019 to present and of Hope, East Ohio, PSNC, and Questar Gas from October 2019 to September 2020; President of Hope, East Ohio, PSNC, and Questar Gas from October 2020 to present; Senior Vice President—Gas Transmission Operations of DCP, Dominion Energy Midstream and Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline from February 2019 to September 2019; Senior Vice President—Dominion Midstream Operations of DCP, Dominion Energy Midstream and Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline from August 2017 to January 2019; Senior Vice President—Pipeline Customer Service & Business Development of DCP and DETI from May 2017 to August 2017; Senior Vice President—Customer Service and Business Development of DCP and DETI from November 2014 to May 2017. |
| Name and Age | Business Experience Past Five Years(1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel G. Stoddard (58) | Senior Vice President, Chief Nuclear Officer and President—Contracted Assets from September 2020 to present; Senior Vice President, Chief Nuclear Officer and President—Contracted Generation from December 2019 to August 2020; Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of Virginia Power from October 2016 to present; Senior Vice President—Nuclear Operations of Virginia Power from May 2011 to September 2016. |
| (1) | All positions held at Dominion Energy, unless otherwise noted. Any service listed for Virginia Power, DETI, East Ohio, Hope, PSNC, Questar Gas, Dominion Energy Midstream, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, DCP and DES reflects service at a current or previous subsidiary of Dominion Energy. |
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Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
DOMINION ENERGY
Dominion Energy’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol D. At February 12, 2021, there were approximately 130,000 record holders of Dominion Energy’s common stock. The number of record holders is comprised of individual shareholder accounts maintained on Dominion Energy’s transfer agent records and includes accounts with shares held in (1) certificate form, (2) book-entry in the Direct Registration System and (3) book-entry under Dominion Energy Direct®. Discussions of expected dividend payments required by this Item are contained in Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7. MD&A.
Purchases of Equity Securities
| Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)(4) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs(5) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/1/20-10/31/20 | 52,079 | (1) | $ | 78.59 | — | $ 0.62 billion | |||||||||||||||||
| 11/1/20-11/30/20 | 3,049,613 | (2) | 80.36 | 3,029,827 | 1.48 billion | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12/1/20-12/31/20 | 7,387,403 | (3) | 76.22 | 7,387,403 | 0.92 billion | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 10,489,095 | $ | 77.44 | 10,417,230 | $ 0.92 billion |
| (1) | Represents shares of common stock that were tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on vested restricted stock. |
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| (2) | Includes (i) 19,786 shares of common stock that were tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on vested restricted stock;(ii) 1,647,192 shares of common stock purchased in open market transactions for an aggregate of approximately $132 million; and (iii) 1,382,635 shares of common stock delivered upon the completion of the purchase periods under two prepaid accelerated share repurchase agreements entered into by Dominion Energy in September 2020. |
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| (3) | Includes (i) 2,045,345 shares of common stock purchased in open market transactions for an aggregate of approximately $163 million and (ii) 5,342,058 shares of common stock delivered to Dominion Energy under an accelerated share repurchase program. Dominion Energy entered into a prepaid accelerated share repurchase agreement with a financial institution in December 2020 to purchase $400 million in shares of common stock. No additional shares will be delivered under this agreement as the repurchase period ended in December 2020. |
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| (4) | Represents the weighted-average price paid per share. |
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| (5) | In July 2020, the Dominion Energy Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3.0 billion in shares of common stock and rescinded its prior repurchase authorization approved in February 2005 and modified in June 2007. Dominion Energy completed repurchases under this authorization in December 2020. In November 2020, the Dominion Energy Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of shares of common stock in addition to the repurchase program authorized in July 2020. This repurchase program has no expiration date or price or volume targets and may be modified suspended or terminated at any time. Shares may be purchased through open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise at the discretion of management subject to prevailing market conditions, applicable securities laws and other factors. |
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VIRGINIA POWER
There is no established public trading market for Virginia Power’s common stock, all of which is owned by Dominion Energy. Virginia Power intends to pay quarterly cash dividends in 2021 but is neither required to nor restricted, except as described in Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, from making such payments.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Dominion Energy’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of operations acquired in the SCANA Combination effective January 2019.
DOMINION ENERGY
| Year Ended December 31,(1) | 2020(2) | 2019(3) | 2018(4) | 2017(5) | 2016(6) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (millions, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | 14,172 | $ | 14,401 | $ | 11,199 | $ | 11,004 | $ | 10,320 | ||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations attributable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| to Dominion Energy | 1,583 | 653 | 2,087 | 2,707 | 1,809 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations attributable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| to Dominion Energy per common share-basic | 1.83 | 0.79 | 3.19 | 4.26 | 2.93 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations attributable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| to Dominion Energy per common share-diluted | 1.82 | 0.75 | 3.19 | 4.26 | 2.93 | |||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared per common share | 3.45 | 3.67 | 3.34 | 3.035 | 2.80 | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 95,905 | 103,823 | 77,914 | 76,585 | 71,610 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt(7) | 33,957 | 28,998 | 27,075 | 26,951 | 26,271 |
| (1) | Operating revenue, net income and earnings per share exclude amounts presented in discontinued operations related to the gas transmission and storage operations sold to, or under contract to be sold to, BHE as well as Dominion Energy’s investment in Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Long-term debt excludes amounts reflected as held-for-sale. See Note 3 to Dominion Energy’s Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the amounts presented as discontinued operations or held-for-sale. |
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| (2) | Includes $559 million after-tax charge associated primarily with the planned early retirement of certain electric generation facilities, $496 million of after-tax charges for an impairment attributable to Dominion Energy’s interests in certain nonregulated solar generation facilities and a contract termination in connection with the sale of Fowler Ridge, $191 million of after-tax charges for expected CCRO and customer arrears forgiveness for Virginia utility customers and $93 million of after-tax charges associated with litigation acquired in the SCANA Combination, partially offset by a $264 million after-tax net gain related to nuclear decommissioning trust funds. |
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| (3) | Includes merger and integration-related costs associated with the SCANA Combination of $1.8 billion after-tax (inclusive of $756 million after-tax charge for refunds of amounts previously collected for the NND Project, $480 million after-tax charge for litigation acquired in the SCANA Combination and $286 million after-tax charge related to a voluntary retirement program), $585 million after-tax charges associated primarily with the planned early retirement of certain electric generation facilities, automated meter reading infrastructure and the termination of a contract with a non-utility generator, partially offset by a $429 million after-tax net gain related to nuclear decommissioning trust funds. |
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| (4) | Includes $568 million after-tax gains on sales of certain nonregulated generation facilities and equity method investments partially offset by $164 million after-tax charge related to the impairment of certain gathering and processing assets and a $160 million after-tax charge associated with Virginia legislation enacted in March 2018 that required one-time rate credits of certain amounts to utility customers. |
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| (5) | Includes $851 million of tax benefits resulting from the remeasurement of deferred income taxes to the new corporate income tax rate, partially offset by $96 million of after-tax charges associated with equity method investments in wind-powered generation facilities. |
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| (6) | Includes a $122 million after-tax charge related to future ash pond and landfill closure costs at certain utility generation facilities. |
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| (7) | Includes finance leases. |
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MD&A discusses Dominion Energy’s results of operations and general financial condition and Virginia Power’s results of operations. MD&A should be read in conjunction with Item 1. Business and the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Virginia Power meets the conditions to file under the reduced disclosure format, and therefore has omitted certain sections of MD&A.
CONTENTS OF MD&A
MD&A consists of the following information:
| • | Forward-Looking Statements |
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| • | Accounting Matters—Dominion Energy |
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| • | Dominion Energy |
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| • | Results of Operations |
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| • | Segment Results of Operations |
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| • | Virginia Power |
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| • | Results of Operations |
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| • | Liquidity and Capital Resources—Dominion Energy |
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| • | Future Issues and Other Matters—Dominion Energy |
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains statements concerning the Companies’ expectations, plans, objectives, future financial performance and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In most cases, the reader can identify these forward-looking statements by such words as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” “may,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words.
The Companies make forward-looking statements with full knowledge that risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ are often presented with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additionally, other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement. These factors include but are not limited to:
| • | Unusual weather conditions and their effect on energy sales to customers and energy commodity prices; |
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| • | Extreme weather events and other natural disasters, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, high winds, severe storms, earthquakes, flooding, climate changes and changes in water temperatures and availability that can cause outages and property damage to facilities; |
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| • | The impact of extraordinary external events, such as the current pandemic health event resulting from COVID-19, and their collateral consequences, including extended disruption of economic activity in our markets; |
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| • | Federal, state and local legislative and regulatory developments, including changes in or interpretations of federal and state tax laws and regulations; |
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| • | Risks of operating businesses in regulated industries that are subject to changing regulatory structures; |
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| • | Changes to regulated electric rates collected by the Companies and regulated gas distribution, transportation and storage rates collected by Dominion Energy; |
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| • | Changes in rules for RTOs and ISOs in which the Companies join and/or participate, including changes in rate designs, changes in FERC’s interpretation of market rules and new and evolving capacity models; |
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| • | Risks associated with Virginia Power’s membership and participation in PJM, including risks related to obligations created by the default of other participants; |
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| • | Risks associated with entities in which Dominion Energy shares ownership with third parties, including risks that result from lack of sole decision making authority, disputes that may arise between Dominion Energy and third party participants and difficulties in exiting these arrangements; |
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| • | Changes in future levels of domestic and international natural gas production, supply or consumption; |
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| • | Impacts to Dominion Energy’s noncontrolling interest in Cove Point from fluctuations in future volumes of LNG imports or exports from the U.S. and other countries worldwide or demand for, purchases of, and prices related to natural gas or LNG; |
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| • | Timing and receipt of regulatory approvals necessary for planned construction or growth projects and compliance with conditions associated with such regulatory approvals; |
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| • | The inability to complete planned construction, conversion or growth projects at all, or with the outcomes or within the terms and time frames initially anticipated, including as a result of increased public involvement, intervention or litigation in such projects; |
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| • | Changes to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those related to climate change, the tightening of emission or discharge limits for GHGs and other substances, more extensive permitting requirements and the regulation of additional substances; |
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| • | Cost of environmental compliance, including those costs related to climate change; |
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| • | Changes in implementation and enforcement practices of regulators relating to environmental standards and litigation exposure for remedial activities; |
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| • | Difficulty in anticipating mitigation requirements associated with environmental and other regulatory approvals or related appeals; |
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| • | Unplanned outages at facilities in which the Companies have an ownership interest; |
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| • | The impact of operational hazards, including adverse developments with respect to pipeline and plant safety or integrity, equipment loss, malfunction or failure, operator error, and other catastrophic events; |
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| • | Risks associated with the operation of nuclear facilities, including costs associated with the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, decommissioning, plant maintenance and changes in existing regulations governing such facilities; |
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| • | Changes in operating, maintenance and construction costs; |
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| • | Domestic terrorism and other threats to the Companies’ physical and intangible assets, as well as threats to cybersecurity; |
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| • | Additional competition in industries in which the Companies operate, including in electric markets in which Dominion Energy’s nonregulated generation facilities operate and potential competition from the development and deployment of alternative energy sources, such as self-generation and distributed generation technologies, and availability of market alternatives to large commercial and industrial customers; |
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| • | Competition in the development, construction and ownership of certain electric transmission facilities in the Companies’ service territory in connection with Order 1000; |
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| • | Changes in technology, particularly with respect to new, developing or alternative sources of generation and smart grid technologies; |
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| • | Changes in demand for the Companies’ services, including industrial, commercial and residential growth or decline in the Companies’ service areas, changes in supplies of natural gas delivered to Dominion Energy’s pipeline system, failure to maintain or replace customer contracts on favorable terms, changes in customer growth or usage patterns, including as a result of energy conservation programs, the availability of energy efficient devices and the use of distributed generation methods; |
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| • | Receipt of approvals for, and timing of, closing dates for acquisitions and divestitures; |
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| • | Impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, transfers of assets to joint ventures and retirements of assets based on asset portfolio reviews; |
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| • | The expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Q-Pipe Transaction, including the ability to obtain the requisite regu
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The matters discussed in this Item may contain “forward-looking statements” as described in the introductory paragraphs of Item 7. MD&A. The reader’s attention is directed to those paragraphs and Item 1A. Risk Factors for discussion of various risks and uncertainties that may impact the Companies.
MARKET RISK SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Companies’ financial instruments, commodity contracts and related financial derivative instruments are exposed to potential losses due to adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates and equity security prices as described below. Commodity price risk is present in the Companies’ electric operations and Dominion Energy’s natural gas procurement and marketing operations due to the exposure to market shifts in prices received and paid for electricity, natural gas and other commodities. The Companies use commodity derivative contracts to manage price risk exposures for these operations. Interest rate risk is generally related to their outstanding debt and future issuances of debt. In addition, the Companies are exposed to investment price risk through various portfolios of equity and debt securities.
The following sensitivity analysis estimates the potential loss of future earnings or fair value from market risk sensitive instruments over a selected time period due to a 10% change in commodity prices or interest rates.
Commodity Price Risk
To manage price risk, The Companies hold commodity-based derivative instruments held for non-trading purposes associated with purchases and sales of electricity, natural gas and other energy-related products.
The derivatives used to manage commodity price risk are executed within established policies and procedures and may include instruments such as futures, forwards, swaps, options and FTRs that are sensitive to changes in the related commodity prices. For sensitivity analysis purposes, the hypothetical change in market prices of commodity-based derivative instruments is determined based on models that consider the market prices of commodities in future periods, the volatility of the market prices in each period, as well as the time value factors of the derivative instruments. Prices and volatility are principally determined based on observable market prices.
A hypothetical 10% decrease in commodity prices would have resulted in an increase of $2 million and a decrease of $50 million in the fair value of Dominion Energy’s commodity-based derivative instruments as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
A hypothetical 10% decrease in commodity prices would have resulted in a decrease of $35 million and $54 million in the fair value of Virginia Power’s commodity-based derivative instruments as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
The impact of a change in energy commodity prices on the Companies’ commodity-based derivative instruments at a point in time is not necessarily representative of the results that will be realized when the contracts are ultimately settled. Net losses from commodity-based financial derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the hedged transaction, such as revenue from physical sales of the commodity.
Interest Rate Risk
The Companies manage their interest rate risk exposure predominantly by maintaining a balance of fixed and variable rate debt. They also enter into interest rate sensitive derivatives, including interest rate swaps and interest rate lock agreements. For variable rate debt outstanding for Dominion Energy and Virginia Power, a hypothetical 10% increase in market interest rates would not have resulted in a material change in earnings at December 31, 2020 or 2019.
The Companies also use interest rate derivatives, including forward-starting swaps, interest rate swaps and interest rate lock agreements to manage interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2020, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power had $6.9 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, in aggregate notional amounts of these interest rate derivatives outstanding. A hypothetical 10% decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in a decrease of $124 million and $75 million, respectively, in the fair value of Dominion Energy and Virginia Power interest rate derivatives at December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power had $6.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, in aggregate notional amounts of these interest rate derivatives outstanding. A hypothetical 10% decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in a decrease of $135 million and $88 million, respectively, in the fair value of Dominion Energy and Virginia Power interest rate derivatives at December 31, 2019.
Prior to completing the GT&S Transaction, Dominion Energy held foreign currency swaps for the purpose of hedging the foreign currency exchange risk associated with Euro denominated debt. As of December 31, 2019, Dominion Energy had €250 million in aggregate notional amounts of these foreign currency swaps outstanding. A hypothetical 10% decrease in market interest rates would not have resulted in a material decrease in fair value of Dominion Energy’s foreign currency swaps at December 31, 2019.
The impact of a change in interest rates on the Companies’ interest rate-based financial derivative instruments at a point in time is not necessarily representative of the results that will be realized when the contracts are ultimately settled. Net gains and/or losses from interest rate derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the hedged transaction.
Investment Price Risk
The Companies are subject to investment price risk due to securities held as investments in nuclear decommissioning and rabbi trust funds that are managed by third-party investment managers. These trust funds primarily hold marketable securities that are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
Dominion Energy recognized net investment gains (including investment income) on nuclear decommissioning and rabbi trust investments of $0.7 billion and $1.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net realized gains and losses include gains and losses from the sale of investments as well as any other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Dominion Energy recorded, in AOCI and regulatory liabilities, a net increase in unrealized gains on debt investments of $57 million and $74 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Virginia Power recognized net investment gains (including investment income) on nuclear decommissioning trust investments of $287 million and $481 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net realized gains and losses include gains and losses from the sale of investments as well as any other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Virginia Power recorded, in AOCI and regulatory liabilities, a net increase in unrealized gains on debt investments of $29 million and $30 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Dominion Energy sponsors pension and other postretirement employee benefit plans that hold investments in trusts to fund employee benefit payments. Virginia Power employees participate in these plans. Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement plan assets experienced aggregate actual returns (losses) of $1.9 billion and $2.1 billion in 2020 and 2019, respectively, versus expected returns of $933 million and $848 million, respectively. Differences between actual and expected returns on plan assets are accumulated and amortized during future periods. As such, any investment-related declines in these trusts will result in future increases in the net periodic cost recognized for such employee benefit plans and will be included in the determination of the amount of cash to be contributed to the employee benefit plans. A hypothetical 0.25% decrease in the assumed long-term rates of return on Dominion Energy’s plan assets would result in an increase in net periodic cost of $25 million and $23 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for pension benefits and $5 million as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019 for other postretirement benefits.
Risk Management Policies
The Companies have established operating procedures with corporate management to ensure that proper internal controls are maintained. In addition, Dominion Energy has established an independent function at the corporate level to monitor compliance with the credit and commodity risk management policies of all subsidiaries, including Virginia Power. Dominion Energy maintains credit policies that include the evaluation of a prospective counterparty’s financial condition, collateral requirements where deemed necessary and the use of standardized agreements that facilitate the netting of cash flows associated with a single counterparty. In addition, Dominion Energy also monitors the financial condition of existing counterparties on an ongoing basis. Based on these credit policies and the Companies’ December 31, 2020 provision for credit losses, management believes that it is unlikely that a material adverse effect on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows would occur as a result of counterparty nonperformance.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Dominion Energy, Inc.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Dominion Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries ("Dominion Energy") at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dominion Energy at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), Dominion Energy's internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on Dominion Energy's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of Dominion Energy's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Dominion Energy's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to Dominion Energy in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Impact of Rate Regulation on the Consolidated Financial Statements — Refer to Notes 2, 12 and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
Dominion Energy, through its regulated electric and gas subsidiaries, is subject to rate regulation by certain state public utility commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) (collectively, the “relevant commissions”) which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric utility and natural gas distribution and transmission companies. Management has determined its rate-regulated subsidiaries meet the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to apply the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, such as property, plant and equipment, net; regulatory assets; regulatory liabilities; operating revenues; other operations and maintenance expense; depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; and impairment of assets and other charges, collectively, the “financial statement impacts of rate regulation.”
Revenue provided by Dominion Energy’s electric transmission, distribution and generation operations and its gas transmission and distribution operations is based primarily on rates approved by the relevant commissions. Further, Virginia Electric and Power Company’s (“Virginia Power”) retail base rates, terms and conditions for generation and distribution services to customers in Virginia are reviewed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the “Virginia Commission”) in a proceeding that involves the determination of Virginia Power’s actual earned return on equity (“ROE”) during a historic test period,
and determination of Virginia Power’s authorized ROE prospectively. Under certain circumstances, Virginia Power may be required to refund a portion of its earnings to customers.
In connection with the evaluation of Virginia Power’s earnings for the four-year test period ended December 31, 2020, Virginia Power recorded a charge of $130 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 for benefits it expects to provide to its customers through the use of a customer credit reinvestment offset in accordance with the Virginia Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 (“GTSA”). This evaluation included consideration of the regulatory treatment of a charge of $754 million ($561 million after-tax) recorded in the first quarter of 2020, associated with Virginia
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Dominion Energy
Senior management of Dominion Energy, including Dominion Energy’s CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of Dominion Energy’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation process, Dominion Energy’s CEO and CFO have concluded that Dominion Energy’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Dominion Energy’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of Dominion Energy understands and accepts responsibility for Dominion Energy's financial statements and related disclosures and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (internal control). Dominion Energy continuously strives to identify opportunities to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of internal control, just as Dominion Energy does throughout all aspects of its business.
Dominion Energy maintains a system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance, at a reasonable cost, that its assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition and that transactions are executed and recorded in accordance with established procedures. This system includes written policies, an organizational structure designed to ensure appropriate segregation of responsibilities, careful selection and training of qualified personnel and internal audits.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Dominion Energy, composed entirely of independent directors, meets periodically with the independent registered public accounting firm, the internal auditors and management to discuss auditing, internal control, and financial reporting matters of Dominion Energy and to ensure that each is properly discharging its responsibilities. Both the independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditors periodically meet alone with the Audit Committee and have free access to the Audit Committee at any time.
SEC rules implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require Dominion Energy’s 2020 Annual Report to contain a management's report and a report of the independent registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of internal control. As a basis for the report, Dominion Energy tested and evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls. Based on its assessment as of December 31, 2020, Dominion Energy makes the following assertions:
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting of Dominion Energy.
There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
Management evaluated Dominion Energy’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that Dominion Energy maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020.
Dominion Energy’s independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to express an opinion on Dominion Energy’s internal control over financial reporting, as stated in their report which is included herein.
February 25, 2021
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Dominion Energy, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Dominion Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Dominion Energy”) at December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, Dominion Energy maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements at and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of Dominion Energy and our report dated February 25, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
Dominion Energy’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Dominion Energy’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to Dominion Energy in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Richmond, Virginia
February 25, 2021
Virginia Power
Senior management of Virginia Power, including Virginia Power’s CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of Virginia Power’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation process, Virginia Power’s CEO and CFO have concluded that Virginia Power’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Virginia Power’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of Virginia Power understands and accepts responsibility for Virginia Power's financial statements and related disclosures and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (internal control). Virginia Power continuously strives to identify opportunities to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of internal control, just as it does throughout all aspects of its business.
Virginia Power maintains a system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance, at a reasonable cost, that its assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition and that transactions are executed and recorded in accordance with established procedures. This system includes written policies, an organizational structure designed to ensure appropriate segregation of responsibilities, careful selection and training of qualified personnel and internal audits.
The Board of Directors also serves as Virginia Power's Audit Committee and meets periodically with the independent registered public accounting firm, the internal auditors and management to discuss Virginia Power's auditing, internal accounting control and financial reporting matters and to ensure that each is properly discharging its responsibilities.
SEC rules implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act require Virginia Power's 2020 Annual Report to contain a management's report regarding the effectiveness of internal control. As a basis for the report, Virginia Power tested and evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls. Based on the assessment as of December 31, 2020, Virginia Power makes the following assertions:
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting of Virginia Power.
There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
Management evaluated Virginia Power's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that Virginia Power maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of Virginia Power's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report is not subject to attestation by Virginia Power's independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to a permanent exemption under the Dodd-Frank Act.
February 25, 2021
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
DOMINION ENERGY
The following information for Dominion Energy is incorporated by reference from the Dominion Energy 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed on or around March 19, 2021:
| • | Information regarding the directors required by this item is found under the heading Item 1—Election of Directors. |
|---|
| • | Information regarding compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, required by this item is found under the heading Other Information—Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports. |
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| • | Information regarding the Dominion Energy Audit Committee Financial expert(s) and the Dominion Energy Audit Committee required by this item is found under the heading Corporate Governance—Board and Committee Governance—The Committees of the Board—Audit Committee. |
|---|
| • | Information regarding Dominion Energy’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct required by this item is found under the heading Other Information—Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. |
|---|
The information concerning the executive officers of Dominion Energy required by this item is included in Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption Information about our Executive Officers. Each executive officer of Dominion Energy is elected annually.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
DOMINION ENERGY
The following information about Dominion Energy is contained in the 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference:
| • | Information regarding executive compensation and the Compensation Committee review and discussions of Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained under the heading Executive Compensation. |
|---|
| • | Information regarding Compensation Committee interlocks contained under the heading Corporate Governance—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. |
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| • | Information regarding director compensation contained under the heading Compensation of Non-Employee Directors. |
|---|
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
DOMINION ENERGY
The information concerning stock ownership by directors, executive officers and five percent beneficial owners contained under the heading Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management in the 2021 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
The information regarding equity securities of Dominion Energy that are authorized for issuance under its equity compensation plans contained under the heading Executive Compensation—Executive Compensation Tables—Equity Compensation Plans in the 2021 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
DOMINION ENERGY
The information regarding related party transactions required by this item found under the heading Corporate Governance—Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and information regarding director independence found under the heading Corporate Governance—Director Independence, in the 2021 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
DOMINION ENERGY
The information concerning principal accountant fees and services contained under the heading Audit-Related Matters—Auditor Fees and Pre-Approval Policy in the 2021 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
VIRGINIA POWER
The following table presents fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP for services related to Virginia Power for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
| Type of Fees | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (millions) | ||||||||
| Virginia Power | ||||||||
| Audit fees | $ | 2.30 | $ | 2.13 | ||||
| Audit-related fees | — | — | ||||||
| Tax fees | — | — | ||||||
| All other fees | — | — | ||||||
| Total Fees | $ | 2.30 | $ | 2.13 |
Audit fees represent fees of Deloitte & Touche LLP for the audit of Virginia Power’s annual consolidated financial statements, the review of financial statements included in Virginia Power’s quarterly Form 10-Q reports, and the services that an independent auditor would customarily provide in connection with subsidiary audits, statutory requirements, regulatory filings and similar engagements for the fiscal year, such as comfort letters, attest services, consents and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit-related fees consist of assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Virginia Power’s consolidated financial statements or internal control over financial reporting. This category may include fees related to the performance of audits and attest services not required by statute or regulations, due diligence related to mergers, acquisitions and investments, and accounting consultations about the application of GAAP to proposed transactions.
Virginia Power’s Board of Directors has adopted the Dominion Energy Audit Committee pre-approval policy for their independent auditor’s services and fees and have delegated the execution of this policy to the Dominion Energy Audit Committee. In accordance with this delegation, each year the Dominion Energy Audit Committee pre-approves a schedule that details the services to be provided for the following year and an estimated charge for such services. At its December 2020 meeting, the Dominion Energy Audit Committee approved schedules of services and fees for 2021 inclusive of Virginia Power. In accordance with the pre-approval policy, any changes to the pre-approved schedule may be pre-approved by the Dominion Energy Audit Committee or a delegated member of the Dominion Energy Audit Committee.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Certain documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference and found on the pages noted.
- Financial Statements
See Index on page 85.
-
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or the required information is either not material or is shown in the financial statements or the related notes.
-
Exhibits (incorporated by reference unless otherwise noted)
| Exhibit Number | Description | Dominion Energy | Virginia Power | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | The following financial statements from Dominion Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed on February 25, 2021, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following financial statements from Virginia Electric and Power Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed on February 25, 2021, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholder’s Equity (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | X | X | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and contained in Exhibit 101. | X | X | ||||
| * | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
|---|
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
Signatures
DOMINION ENERGY
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| DOMINION ENERGY, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Robert M. Blue | ||
| (Robert M. Blue, President and Chief Executive Officer) |
Date: February 25, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 25th day of February, 2021.
| Signature | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| /s/ Thomas F. Farrell, II Thomas F. Farrell, II | Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| /s/ James A. Bennett James A. Bennett | Director | |
| /s/ Robert M. Blue Robert M. Blue | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | |
| /s/ Helen E. Dragas Helen E. Dragas | Director | |
| /s/ James O. Ellis, Jr. James O. Ellis, Jr. | Director | |
| /s/ D. Maybank Hagood | Director | |
| D. Maybank Hagood | ||
| /s/ Ronald W. Jibson Ronald W. Jibson | Director | |
| /s/ Mark J. Kington Mark J. Kington | Director | |
| /s/ Joseph M. Rigby Joseph M. Rigby | Director | |
| /s/ Pamela J. Royal Pamela J. Royal | Director | |
| /s/ Robert H. Spilman, Jr. Robert H. Spilman, Jr. | Director | |
| /s/ Susan N. Story Susan N. Story | Director | |
| /s/ Michael E. Szymanczyk Michael E. Szymanczyk | Director | |
| /s/ James R. Chapman James R. Chapman | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
| /s/ Michele L. Cardiff Michele L. Cardiff | Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer | |
Virginia Power
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY | ||||
| By: | /s/ Robert M. Blue | |||
| (Robert M. Blue, Chief Executive Officer) |
Date: February 25, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 25th day of February, 2021.
| Signature | Title |
| /s/ Edward H. Baine Edward H. Baine | Director |
| /s/ Robert M. Blue Robert M. Blue | Director and Chief Executive Officer |
| /s/ Diane Leopold Diane Leopold | Director |
| /s/ James R. Chapman James R. Chapman | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| /s/ Michele L. Cardiff Michele L. Cardiff | Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer |