Dominion Energy Customers Outraged Over Soaring Bills

Utility company says recent spikes were mostly due to record-breaking winter weather.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:58am

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Dominion Energy customers in Virginia have been voicing outrage over sky-high utility bills in recent weeks, with some bills doubling or even tripling compared to previous years. The utility company says the main reasons for the spikes are the coldest winter temperatures in decades, which led to much higher energy usage, as well as rising fuel and equipment costs that have increased rates.

Why it matters

The higher bills are straining many families in the Hampton Roads region who were already struggling to make ends meet, forcing them to seek emergency assistance to help pay their electric bills. This highlights the financial challenges faced by low-income households during periods of extreme weather and rising energy costs.

The details

Dominion Energy's vice president of customer relations, Utibe Bassey, said homes used more energy this winter than they have in decades, with December being the coldest in 15 years and January and February being the coldest since the 1940s. Rates have also increased this year to account for rising fuel and equipment costs. One Norfolk resident, Roberto Westbrook, said his home used less energy this February compared to last February, but his bill was still 22% higher.

  • December 2025 was the coldest in 15 years.
  • January and February 2026 were the coldest since the 1940s.

The players

Dominion Energy

A major electric and natural gas utility company serving customers in Virginia and other states.

Utibe Bassey

The vice president of customer relations at Dominion Energy.

Roberto Westbrook

A Norfolk resident whose home used less energy but still saw a 22% increase in his electricity bill.

Shirley Brackett

The crisis response director at the Housing Crisis Hotline in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“December was the coldest we've had in 15 years. January into February, those temperatures were the coldest we've had since the 1940s.”

— Utibe Bassey, Vice President of Customer Relations, Dominion Energy

“People are obviously having to make tough choices, They're needing to reach out for help.”

— Shirley Brackett, Crisis Response Director, Housing Crisis Hotline

What’s next

Dominion Energy is encouraging customers who are struggling with high bills to contact the company about payment plans, assistance programs, and ways to reduce energy usage.

The takeaway

The extreme winter weather and rising energy costs have created a financial crisis for many low-income households in Virginia, underscoring the need for greater energy assistance and efficiency programs to help vulnerable families weather these types of spikes in utility bills.