Arlington and Alexandria Partner to Intervene in Dominion Energy-NextEra Merger

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria entered into a joint representation agreement to intervene in the State Corporation Commission (SCC) proceeding related to the acquisition of Dominion Energy Inc., by NextEra. 

“This acquisition would have significant implications for the millions of Virginians who rely on these utilities. Their needs and interests must remain at the center of this process,” said Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “By participating directly in these proceedings, Arlington and Alexandria can bring our local perspective and expertise to the table, ensure the impacts on our communities are fully considered, and advocate for an outcome that protects Virginia customers.”

“Arlington and Alexandria share common interests in championing reliable, affordable, and equitable clean energy for the residents and businesses we serve,” said County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti. “We are proud to stand together to put forward a unified voice in advocating for just and reasonable rates, reliable service, and the clean energy future our Commonwealth deserves.” 

On July 15, 2026, NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy filed a joint merger petition with the Virginia SCC. If approved, this $67 billion acquisition would be the largest energy merger in the history of the United States and would create the largest regulated electric utility in the world. If the merger is approved, the new combined company will serve approximately 10 million customers across Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, including approximately 2.7 million households in Virginia.

The City of Alexandria officially announced its intervention in August 2026, followed by Arlington County in September. Public witness testimony will begin on November 5 in Richmond.

The SCC is currently accepting public comments on the proposed Dominion Energy–NextEra merger. 

• November 2 is the last day to file as a public witness before testimony will be given on November 5, 9, and 10.
• November 9 is the last day to submit written comments.
• A final decision is expected in the early part of 2027.

The SCC encourages public participation in all cases. The public can visit the Virginia SCC website to learn more and submit public comment for Case PUR-2026-00112.

Celebrate Energy Awareness Month with us this October

Energy Awareness Month is almost here, and Eco-City Alexandria will be out and about all October with events, activities, and tips to help you save energy, save money, and make more sustainable choices at home, work, and on the go. 

Each week has it’s own theme; here’s a highlight of what to expect, but you can find the full calendar on the Energy Awareness Month website. Don’t forget to follow @EcoCityALX on your favorite social media platforms for tips all month.

Transportation Week (Oct. 4-10): Ever wondered what it's like to drive an EV? Now's your chance to find out! Take a test drive, or hop on an e-bike or scooter, at the EV Ride and Drive at Lindsay Motors on October 4 or at Carlyle Square on October 7. If your bike skills are a little rusty (or don’t exist yet!), WABA is offering classes all month, from learn-to-ride basics to road riding skills. Classes start at $10 for Alexandria residents.

Homes Week (Oct. 11-17): Cozy up to a lower energy bill this fall! On October 17, join My Favorite Fixer for a hands-on Home Weatherization Workshop, where you'll practice the tricks that keep your home comfortable when it gets chilly. It's FREE for Alexandria residents, but registration is required. Sign up today!

And keep an eye out for us at farmers' markets all month, where you can sign up for Eco-City Homes and take home a free energy efficiency kit while supplies last.

Waste and Reuse Week (Oct. 18-24): Before you toss it, fix it! Bring your ailing toaster, wobbly chair, or watch with a dead battery to the Community Repair Event at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library on October 24, where volunteer coaches will help give your stuff a second life.

Green Buildings and Landscaping Week (Oct. 25-31): Gas-powered leaf blowers are on their way out on November 17, so take an electric one for a spin at the demonstration at Ben Brenman Park on October 27. Then, on October 29, tune in to a Green Building Webinar for lessons from the field on passive house design and construction. 

Eco-City Business Reaches a Milestone of 50 Participants!

The Eco-City Business program welcomed its 50th participant this week! Thank you to our Eco-City Business partners for your commitment to adopting cleaner, more sustainable practices. You might have seen one of the City’s fantastic interns, Kendall, out and about this summer, talking to more than 100 businesses about the program.

A special thank you to our newest Eco-City Businesses: 

• Bella Napoli Italian Restaurant 
• Colonial Market
• Dos Hermanos Fine Tex Méx
• Inca Chicken 
• Piece Out Del Ray
• Pork Barrel BBQ
• Quattro Formaggi
• Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
• Rustico
• Taste of Asia
• Velocity Bicycle Cooperative

The Eco-City Business program provides technical support to help local businesses improve their bottom line while conserving energy and water, reducing waste, and achieving sustainability goals. Want to see your business on this list? It takes just two minutes to sign-up, and it’s free to join! 

Goats Help Manage Invasive Plants in Alexandria

Alexandria’s parks recently got some four-legged help! RPCA launched a pilot project in September using a herd of 35 to 40 goats to graze on invasive plants at All Veterans Park. 

The goats helped clear unwanted vegetation, while reducing the need for mechanical equipment or physical work in areas that can be treacherous for human crews to reach. This approach also naturally aerates the soil and eliminates the need for chemical treatments and gas-powered equipment, keeping pollutants out of our waterways.  

The goats finished the job in six days, allowing City crews to remove what the goats couldn’t eat. The City is preparing a pilot evaluation report to measure the ecological, operational, and community engagement value to help decide whether the pilot should be expanded. We hope you got the chance to see the goats in action! 

Lear more about this pilot project at the Parks Program webpage.

Eco-City Academy creates new Climate Leaders

The City of Alexandria held the 2026 Eco-City Academy in September, bringing residents together to learn about the many climate-related activities across the City, including how Alexandria helps residents make their homes more energy efficient, how it incorporates environmental justice into its planning, how it's making the City more resilient to extreme weather events, and how it's working to empower community members to take impactful, local climate action. 

Want to join the next Eco-City Academy? Keep an eye on alexandriava.gov/academies or follow @EcoCityALX for the next application window.

Step2Savings Energy Challenge Information Sessions for Places of Worship

The City of Alexandria, in partnership with Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) and Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) hosted virtual informational sessions on the Step2Savings Energy Challenge for places of worship on September 17 and September 24. 

The City of Alexandria’s Step2Savings Energy Challenge helps multi-unit residential communities and places of worship reduce utility expenses, improve building efficiency, and make informed decisions about future capital investments. Through energy benchmarking, personalized guidance, and access to resources, participants can strengthen their financial sustainability while creating more comfortable, efficient spaces for their communities.

Multi-unit residential communities and places of worship interested in joining the Challenge can complete the sign-up form.

Tons of Trucks 

Eco-City was well represented at the tenth annual Tons of Trucks on September 26! Among the trucks and vehicles that keep Alexandria moving, we put our electric vehicle (EV) fleet on display, including our Mobile Art Lab, a Department of Community & Human Services vehicle, and a Clean Team truck (funded by the plastic bag tax!).

We were up against some serious competition, including a monster truck and a Back to the Future DeLorean replica. We didn't have 1.21 gigawatts, but we did have one of the 120V outlets on our all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning quietly powering the moon bounce for the entire event.

That's because some EVs have power outlets you can use to charge tools, an air mattress, or anything else you need while you're out and about. Some can even power your house during an outage. A common question during the event was how much of the battery the moon bounce would use, and most people were surprised to hear that it uses less than 1% of the battery per hour! 

Wayne Malcolm, Property Maintenance Inspector, Code Administration

How would you describe your role?  My job is to make sure that commercial and residential properties are functional, sanitary, and safe. This is accomplished through enforcement of the Virginia Property Maintenance Code (VPMC) and the City’s municipal codes.

Some of the focus areas include ensuring there are:

• Working HVAC systems that are proficient and eco-friendly.
• Adequate plumbing, clean water and proper waste storage and disposal.
• Buildings that are structurally safe and secure with cost effective utilities.
• Rodent and pest control.

What are you most excited about? It’s exciting to see residents and visitors in and around our city doing their part to help our ecosystem, by recycling, managing their trash collection and disposal, reducing their carbon footprint by commuting and cycling. It takes a collaborative effort to maintain a healthy and clean environment.

It is also great to see local and state governments coming up with new policies to preserve and improve our environment.

Mind sharing a fun fact about yourself? I used to be a superhero……..lol (look at my photos)

Energy Awareness Month - All October 2026 

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting - Thursday, October 1, 2026 • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Housing Affordability Advisory Committee - Thursday, October 1, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.

Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive with Lindsay Motors - Sunday, October 4, 2026 • 1-4 p.m.

Planning Commission Public Hearing - Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • 7-11:59 p.m.

Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive at Carlyle Square - Wednesday, October 7, 2026 • 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - Wednesday, October 7, 2026 • 7-11:59 p.m.

ARHA Board's Planning Development Committee - Thursday, October 8, 2026 • 8:30-10:30 a.m.

ARHA Redevelopment Work Group - Thursday, October 15, 2026 • 5:30-7 p.m.

FREE Home Weatherization Workshop - Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 – 4 p.m.

Spooky Mad Science Expo 2026 - Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 3-7 p.m.

AlexRenew Governance Comm. Preparation Meeting - Monday, October 19, 2026 • 2-4 p.m.

Environmental Policy Commission, Regular Meeting - Monday, October 19, 2026 • 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Waterfront Commission Meeting - Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • 7:30-9:30 a.m.

AlexRenew Regular Board of Directors Meeting - Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • 6-8 p.m.

Transportation Commission October Meeting - Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • 7-11:59 p.m.

Community Repair Event – Saturday, October 24, 2026 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Regular Meeting - Monday, October 26, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.

Electric Leaf Blower Demonstration - Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • 2-6 p.m.

AlexRenew Governance Committee Meeting - Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Green Building Webinar: Lessons Learned in Passive House Design & Construction - Thursday, October 29, 2026 • 2-3 p.m.

Le Tour d'Alexandria Bike Ride - Saturday, October 31, 2026 • 10 a.m.-1 p.m.