Regulatory Matters

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Regulatory Matters

Note 13. Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Matters Involving Potential Loss Contingencies

As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, the Companies are involved in various regulatory matters. Certain regulatory matters may ultimately result in a loss; however, as such matters are in an initial procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pending reviews or orders, and/or involve significant factual issues that need to be resolved, it is not possible for the Companies to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters that the Companies cannot estimate, a statement to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other matters may have progressed sufficiently through the regulatory process such that the Companies are able to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters that the Companies are able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such matters. Any estimated range is based on currently available information, involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties and may not represent the Companies’ maximum possible loss exposure. The circumstances of such regulatory matters will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For current matters not specifically reported below, management does not anticipate that the outcome from such matters would have a material effect on the Companies’ financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Other Regulatory Matters

Other than the following matters, there have been no significant developments regarding the pending regulatory matters disclosed in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Companies’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Virginia Regulation

2021 Triennial Review

In March 2021, Virginia Power filed its base rate case and accompanying schedules in support of the 2021 Triennial Review. In its filing, Virginia Power did not request an increase in base rates for generation and distribution services and proposed that base rates remain at their existing level. Virginia Power’s earnings test analysis, as filed, demonstrates it earned a combined ROE of 10.85% on its generation and distribution services for the test period, before accounting for forgiven customer balances. Pursuant to Virginia legislation, forgiven customer balances are excluded from the cost of service in determining test period revenues as part of the 2021 Triennial Review. To the extent that the Virginia Commission determines total earnings for the test period to be above Virginia Power’s authorized earnings band, the forgiven balance amounts are offset against the available revenues in the determination of any customer bill credits, or utilization of a CCRO. Test period earnings may be further reduced by Virginia Commission approved investment amounts in qualifying solar or wind generation facilities or electric distribution grid transformation projects that Virginia Power elects to include as a CCRO under the GTSA. In its filing, Virginia Power elected to utilize $26 million of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot project investment as a CCRO to offset available revenues. The Virginia Commission will determine whether Virginia Power’s earnings for the test period, considered as a whole, were within 70 basis points above or below the authorized ROE of 9.2%. Should the Virginia Commission determine that there are additional available revenues for earnings sharing, then Virginia Power has contingently elected to offset those revenues with additional Virginia Commission approved qualifying CCRO investments. The Virginia Commission will also authorize an ROE for Virginia Power that will be applied to Virginia Power’s riders prospectively and that will also be utilized to measure base rate earnings as of January 1, 2021. Virginia Power has requested authorization of an ROE of 10.8% based on Virginia Power’s current cost of equity. Pursuant to the Regulation Act, Virginia Power’s authorized ROE shall not be set lower than the average of either (i) the returns reported for the three previous years by not less than a majority of comparable utilities in the Southeastern U.S., with certain limitations as described in the Regulation Act, or (ii) the authorized returns that are set by the applicable regulatory commissions for the same select peer group. In May 2021, Virginia Power filed supplemental

testimony to reflect updated test period earnings, including an earned ROE of 10.42%, before accounting for forgiven customer balances, and that no amount of eligible CCRO is necessary to be elected to be utilized.

In the third and fourth quarters of 2020, Virginia Power recorded a net charge of $130 million related to the use of a CCRO in accordance with the GTSA, including a charge of $200 million ($149 million after-tax) in the third quarter of 2020, included in impairment of assets and other charges (benefits) in its Consolidated Statements of Income.  In the first quarter of 2021, Virginia Power recorded a benefit of $130 million ($97 million after-tax) in impairment of assets and other charges (benefits) in its Consolidated Statements of Income to adjust its reserve related to the use of a CCRO in accordance with the GTSA.

In October 2021, Virginia Power, the Virginia Commission staff and other parties filed a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Virginia Commission for approval. The comprehensive settlement agreement provides for $330 million in one-time refunds to customers made up of $255 million over a 6-month period and $75 million over three years, a $50 million going-forward base rate reduction and an authorized ROE of 9.35%. Additionally, Virginia Power has agreed to utilize $309 million of qualifying CCRO investments in the CVOW Pilot Project, deployment of AMI and a Customer Information Platform to offset available earnings and to amortize through 2023 the early retirement charges for coal- and oil-fired generation units recorded in 2019 and 2020. This matter is pending.

In connection with the proposed settlement agreement, Virginia Power recorded in the third quarter of 2021 a $350 million ($261 million after-tax) charge for refunds to be provided to customers in operating revenues in its Consolidated Statements of Income as well as a $549 million ($409 million after-tax) benefit primarily from the establishment of a regulatory asset associated with the early retirements of certain coal- and oil-fired generating units and a $318 million ($237 million after-tax) charge for CCRO benefits provided to customers in impairment of assets and other charges (benefits) in its Consolidated Statements of Income. The amounts recorded reflect the impact related to jurisdictional customers as a result of the 2021 Triennial Review as well as the impact on certain non-jurisdictional customers which follow Virginia Power’s jurisdictional customer rate methodology.

Utility Disconnection Moratorium Legislation

In November 2020, legislation was enacted in Virginia relating to the moratorium on utility disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in Virginia Power forgiving Virginia jurisdictional retail electric customer balances that were more than 30 days past due as of September 30, 2020. As a result, Virginia Power recorded a charge of $127 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.  In connection with the Virginia 2021 budget process, in the first quarter of 2021 Virginia Power recorded a charge of $76 million ($56 million after-tax) in impairment of assets and other charges (benefits) in its Consolidated Statements of Income for Virginia jurisdictional retail electric customer balances that were more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2020 that Virginia Power is required to forgive.  These forgiven customer balances are factored into Virginia Power’s 2021 Triennial Review as discussed above.

Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018

In June 2021, Virginia Power filed a petition with the Virginia Commission for approval of a plan for electric distribution grid transformation projects as authorized by the GTSA.  The plan includes 14 projects covering six components: (i) smart meters; (ii) customer information platform; (iii) grid improvement projects; (iv) physical and cyber security; (v) telecommunications infrastructure and (vi) customer education (Phase II). For Phase II, the total proposed capital investment during 2022 – 2023 is $669 million and the proposed operations and maintenance investment is $110 million.  This matter is pending.

Virginia Fuel Expenses

In May 2021, Virginia Power filed its annual fuel factor with the Virginia Commission to recover an estimated $1.4 billion in Virginia jurisdictional projected fuel expenses for the rate year beginning July 1, 2021 and $72 million of estimated net under-recovered balances through June 30, 2021.  In June 2021, the Virginia Commission approved the annual fuel factor.

Renewable Generation Projects

In May 2020 and July 2020, Virginia Power entered into and closed on separate agreements to acquire Grassfield Solar, Norge Solar and Sycamore Solar. The projects are expected to cost approximately $170 million in aggregate once constructed, including the initial acquisition cost. The facilities are expected to generate 82 MW combined and be placed into service in 2022. In October 2020, Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia Commission for CPCNs to construct and operate these projects as part of its efforts to meet the renewable generation development requirements under the VCEA.  In April 2021, the Virginia Commission approved the application.

In September 2021, Virginia Power filed a petition with the Virginia Commission for CPCNs to construct and operate 13 utility-scale projects totaling approximately 661 MW of solar generation and 70 MW of energy storage as part of its efforts to meet the renewable generation development requirements under the VCEA. The projects are expected to cost approximately $1.4 billion in the aggregate, excluding financing costs, and be placed into service between 2022 and 2023. This matter is pending.

In November 2021, Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia Commission requesting approval and certification of the Virginia Facilities component of the CVOW Commercial Project.  The onshore Virginia Facilities have an estimated cost of approximately $1.1 billion, excluding financing costs, which is included within the overall cost of the CVOW Commercial Project.  In addition, Virginia Power requested approval from the Virginia Commission to enter into financial hedges with U.S. financial institutions to mitigate the foreign currency exchange risk associated with certain supplier contracts associated with the CVOW Commercial Project.  This matter is pending.

Nuclear Life Extension Program

In October 2021, Virginia Power filed a petition with the Virginia Commission requesting a determination that it is reasonable and prudent for Virginia Power to pursue a nuclear life extension program to extend the operating licenses of Surry and North Anna and to carry out projects to upgrade or replace systems and equipment necessary to continue to safely and reliably operate these nuclear power stations.  The nuclear life extension program is expected to cost approximately $3.9 billion, excluding financing costs. This matter is pending.

Riders

Below is a discussion of significant riders associated with various Virginia Power projects:

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider U in conjunction with cost recovery to move certain electric distribution facilities underground as authorized by Virginia legislation. In June 2020, Virginia Power proposed an $80 million total revenue requirement consisting of $44 million for previously approved phases and $36 million for phase five costs for Rider U for the rate year beginning April 1, 2021. This total revenue requirement represents a $28 million increase over the previous year. In February 2021, the Virginia Commission approved the filing.

In June 2021, Virginia Power proposed a $96 million total revenue requirement consisting of $61 million for previously approved phases and $35 million for phase six costs for Rider U for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022. This total revenue requirement represents a $16 million increase over the previous year. This matter is pending.

• Pursuant to Virginia legislation, Virginia Power can recover the costs related to the closure of CCR units.  In February 2021, Virginia Power filed for approval of Rider CCR with a proposed $216 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning December 1, 2021.  In October 2021, the Virginia Commission approved the filing.

• In October 2020, Virginia Power applied for approval of Rider CE associated with Grassfield Solar, Norge Solar and Sycamore Solar described above.  In April 2021, the Virginia Commission approved a $10 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning June 1, 2021.

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider T1 concerning transmission rates. In May 2021, Virginia Power proposed a $874 million total revenue requirement consisting of $493 million for the transmission component of Virginia Power’s base rates and $381 million for Rider T1 for the rate year beginning September 1, 2021. This total revenue requirement represents a $190 million decrease versus the revenues to be produced during the rate year under current rates. In August 2021, the Virginia Commission approved the filing.

• Pursuant to the VCEA, Virginia Power can recover costs of compliance with the mandatory renewable portfolio standard program. In December 2020, Virginia Power filed for approval of Rider RPS with a proposed $13 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning August 1, 2021. In July 2021, the Virginia Commission approved the filing.

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider GV relating to Greensville County.  In June 2021, Virginia Power proposed a biennial update procedure for Rider GV with two consecutive rate years. The filing proposed a revenue requirement of $142 million for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022 and a revenue requirement of $127 million for the rate year beginning April 2023.  This matter is pending.

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider R relating to Bear Garden. In June 2021, Virginia Power proposed a biennial update procedure for Rider R with two consecutive rate years. The filing proposed a revenue requirement of $59 million for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022 and a revenue requirement of $55 million for the rate year beginning April 1, 2023.  This matter is pending.

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider S relating to Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center. In June 2021, Virginia Power proposed a biennial update procedure for Rider S with two consecutive rate years. The filing proposed a revenue requirement of $192 million for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022 and a revenue requirement of $191 million for the rate year beginning April 1, 2023.  This matter is pending.

• Pursuant to Virginia legislation, Virginia Power can recover costs associated with participating in a market-based carbon trading program consistent with RGGI.  In August 2021, the Virginia Commission approved Rider RGGI with a $168 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning September 1, 2021, however, subsequently in August 2021, the Virginia

Commission issued an order granting reconsideration and suspended its order approving the revenue requirement.  This matter is pending.

• Pursuant to Virginia legislation, Virginia Power can recover costs associated with electric distribution grid transformation projects that the Virginia Commission has approved as authorized by the GTSA.  In August 2021, Virginia Power filed for approval of Rider GT with a proposed $56 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning June 1, 2022. This matter is pending.

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Riders C1A, C2A and C3A in connection with cost recovery for DSM programs. In December 2020, Virginia Power filed a petition to approve an additional 10 new energy efficiency programs and one new demand response DSM program for five years, subject to future extension, with a $162 million cost cap, and proposed a total $78 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning September 1, 2021. Virginia Power also requested approval to establish a new Rider C4A in connection with cost recovery for DSM programs. In September 2021, the Virginia Commission approved a total revenue requirement of $74 million, which represents a $14 million increase over the previous year.  The Virginia Commission also established Rider C4A. 

• In September 2021, Virginia Power applied for approval of Rider CE associated with solar generation and energy storage projects requested for approval in September 2021, solar generation projects approved in April 2021 and certain small-scale solar projects with a proposed $71 million total revenue requirement for the rate year beginning May 1, 2022. This total revenue requirement represents a $61 million increase over the previous year.  This matter is pending.

• The Virginia Commission previously approved Rider BW relating to Brunswick County power station.  In October 2021, Virginia Power proposed a biennial update procedure for Rider BW with two consecutive rate years. The filing proposed a revenue requirement of $145 million for the rate year beginning September 1, 2022 and a revenue requirement of $120 million for the rate year beginning September 1, 2023.  This matter is pending.

• In October 2021, Virginia Power filed a petition with the Virginia Commission for Rider SNA associated with costs relating to the preparation of the applications for subsequent license renewal to the NRC to extend the operating licenses of Surry and North Anna and related projects.  Virginia Power requested approval of a cost recovery of approximately $1.2 billion through Rider SNA for the first phase of nuclear life extension program which includes investments through 2024 and proposed a $109 million revenue requirement for the rate year beginning September 1, 2022.  This matter is pending.

• In November 2021, Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia Commission requesting approval of Rider OSW associated with costs incurred to construct, own and operate the CVOW Commercial Project.  The filing proposed a revenue requirement of $79 million for the rate year beginning September 1, 2022.  This matter is pending.

Additional significant riders associated with various Virginia Power projects are as follows:

Rider Name	Application Date	Approval Date	Rate Year Beginning	Total Revenue Requirement (millions)		Increase (Decrease) Over Previous Year (millions)
Rider B	June 2020	February 2021	April 2021	$	24	$	(8	)
Rider GV	June 2020	February 2021	April 2021		153		21
Rider R	June 2020	February 2021	April 2021		58		14
Rider S	June 2020	February 2021	April 2021		194		(1	)
Rider W	June 2020	February 2021	April 2021		120		14
Rider US-3	July 2020	March 2021	June 2021		38		10
Rider US-4	July 2020	March 2021	June 2021		10		3
Rider BW	October 2020	July 2021	September 2021		113		14
Rider US-2	October 2020	July 2021	September 2021		9		—
Rider E	January 2021	September 2021	November 2021		67		(18	)
Rider B	June 2021	Pending	April 2022		16		(8	)
Rider W	June 2021	Pending	April 2022		121		1
Rider US-3	August 2021	Pending	June 2022		50		12
Rider US-4	August 2021	Pending	June 2022		15		5
Rider US-2	October 2021	Pending	September 2022		11		2

Electric Transmission Projects

Description and Location of Project	Application Date	Approval Date	Type of Line	Miles of Lines	Cost Estimate (millions)
Rebuild Clubhouse-Dry Bread Line and Dry Bread-Lakeview Line in Greensville County, Virginia	November 2020	July 2021	230 kV	13	$	25
Elmont-Ladysmith rebuild and related projects in the Counties of Hanover and Caroline, Virginia	April 2021	Pending	500 kV	26		95
Beaumeade-Belmont reconductor and rebuild projects in the County of Loudoun, Virginia	May 2021	Pending	230 kV	7		15
Extension to Cloud Switching Station and Easters Switching Station in the County of Mecklenburg, Virginia	June 2021	Pending	230 kV	15		105

North Carolina Regulation

Virginia Power North Carolina Fuel Filing

In August 2021, Virginia Power submitted its annual filing to the North Carolina Commission to adjust the fuel component of its electric rates. Virginia Power updated its filing in October 2021 to reflect the increased commodity cost of fuel and proposed a total $26 million increase to the fuel component of its electric rates for the rate year beginning February 1, 2022. This matter is pending.

PSNC Base Rate Case

In April 2021, PSNC filed its general rate case application, direct testimony, exhibits, and schedules with the North Carolina Commission.  PSNC proposed a non-fuel, base rate increase of $53 million to be effective November 1, 2021. After considering the benefits of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, the net revenue increase to customers would be approximately $42 million.  The base rate increase was proposed to recover the significant investment in infrastructure to serve a growing customer base, improve safety and reliability of the transmission and distribution system and enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.  The proposed rates would provide for an ROE of 10.25% compared to the currently authorized ROE of 9.7%.

In October 2021, PSNC, the North Carolina Commission public staff and certain other parties of record filed a stipulation of settlement with the North Carolina Commission for approval. The stipulation of settlement provides for a non-fuel, base rate increase of $29 million effective November 1, 2021, based on an ROE of 9.60%. The net revenue increase to customers, after considering the amortization of the previously deferred benefits of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, would be $4 million in the initial rate year, $23 million for the following rate year and then $25 million beginning for the third through fifth rate years. In addition, the stipulation of settlement provides for the recovery, over four years, of $106 million of operation and maintenance costs which PSNC has incurred and deferred through June 2021 to comply with federal standards for pipeline integrity and safety. In November 2021, PSNC implemented temporary rates consistent with the stipulation of settlement. If the North Carolina Commission deems the temporary rates excessive in the final order, the excess amount along with interest will be refunded to customers. This matter is pending.

Pipeline Integrity and Safety Program

The North Carolina Commission has authorized PSNC to use a tracker mechanism to recover the incurred capital investment and associated costs of complying with federal standards for pipeline integrity and safety requirements that are not in current base rates. In September 2021, the North Carolina Commission approved PSNC’s request to increase the integrity management annual revenue requirement to $34 million, an increase of $1 million over its previous filing, effective October 2021.

Rider D

Rider D allows PSNC to recover from customers all prudently incurred gas costs and certain related uncollectible expenses as well as losses on negotiated gas and transportation sales. In September 2021, PSNC submitted a filing with the North Carolina Commission for a $61 million gas cost increase. The North Carolina Commission approved the filing in September 2021 with rates effective October 2021.

South Carolina Regulation

South Carolina Electric Base Rate Case

In August 2020, DESC filed its retail electric base rate case and schedules with the South Carolina Commission. DESC proposed a non-fuel, base rate increase of $178 million, or 7.75%, based on an adjusted test year data, effective on or after the first billing cycle of March 2021. The base rate increase was proposed to recover the significant investment in assets and operating resources required to serve an expanding customer base, maintain the safety, reliability and efficiency of DESC’s system and meet increasingly stringent reliability, security and environmental requirements for the benefit of South Carolina customers.  DESC presented an earned ROE of 5.90% based upon a fully-adjusted test period. The proposed rates would provide for an earned ROE equal to the current authorized earned ROE of 10.25% established in the previous rate case in 2012. In January 2021, the South Carolina Commission approved a

proposal made by the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, and agreed to by DESC and other intervenors, to stay the base rate case due to the current economic conditions and to allow the parties more time to negotiate a settlement with a final order to be issued no later than August 2021.  

In July 2021, DESC, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff and other parties of record filed a comprehensive settlement agreement with the South Carolina Commission for approval. The comprehensive settlement agreement provides for a non-fuel, base rate increase of $62 million (resulting in a net increase of $36 million after considering an accelerated amortization of certain excess deferred income taxes) commencing with bills issued on September 1, 2021 and an authorized earned ROE of 9.50%. Additionally, DESC has agreed to commit up to $15 million to forgive retail electric customer balances that were more than 60 days past due as of May 31, 2021, and provide $15 million for energy efficiency upgrades and critical health and safety repairs to customer homes. Pursuant to the comprehensive settlement agreement, DESC would not file a retail electric base rate case prior to July 1, 2023, such that new rates would not be effective prior to January 1, 2024, absent unforeseen extraordinary economic or financial conditions that may include changes in corporate tax rates. In July 2021, the South Carolina Commission approved the comprehensive settlement agreement and issued its final order in August 2021.

In connection with this matter, in the second quarter of 2021, Dominion Energy recorded charges of $249 million ($187 million after-tax) reflected within impairment of assets and other charges (benefits), including $237 million of regulatory assets associated with DESC’s purchases of its first mortgage bonds during 2019 that are no longer probable of recovery under the settlement agreement, and $18 million ($14 million after-tax) reflected within other income in its Consolidated Statements of Income.

DSM Programs

DESC has approval for a DSM rider through which it recovers expenditures related to its DSM programs. In January 2021, DESC filed an application with the South Carolina Commission seeking approval to recover $48 million of costs and net lost revenues associated with these programs, along with an incentive to invest in such programs. In April 2021, the South Carolina Commission approved the filing. In connection with the approval of the comprehensive settlement agreement in the South Carolina base rate case discussed above, the net lost revenue component of the DSM rider was adjusted resulting in a recovery of $43 million commencing with bills issued on September 1, 2021.

Cost of Fuel

DESC’s retail electric rates include a cost of fuel component approved by the South Carolina Commission which may be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the price of fuel purchased by DESC. In February 2021, DESC filed a proposal with the South Carolina Commission to increase the total fuel cost component of retail electric rates. DESC’s proposed adjustment would increase annual base fuel component recoveries by $36 million and is designed to recover DESC’s current base fuel costs, net of the existing over-collected balance, over the 12-month period beginning with the first billing cycle of May 2021. In addition, DESC proposed a decrease to its variable environmental component and an increase to its distributed energy resource component. In April 2021, the South Carolina Commission approved the filing.

Natural Gas Rates

In June 2021, DESC filed with the South Carolina Commission its monitoring report for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021 with a total revenue requirement of $426 million. This represents a $9 million overall annual increase to its natural gas rates under the terms of the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act effective with the first billing cycle of November 2021. In October 2021, the South Carolina Commission issued an order approving a total revenue requirement of $424 million effective with the first billing cycle of November 2021. This represents a $7 million overall annual increase to DESC’s natural gas rates.

Ohio Regulation

PIR Program

In 2008, East Ohio began PIR, aimed at replacing approximately 25% of its pipeline system. In April 2021, the Ohio Commission approved East Ohio’s application to adjust the PIR cost recovery rates for 2020 costs. The filing reflects gross plant investment for 2020 of $178 million, cumulative gross plant investment of $2.0 billion and an annual revenue requirement of $243 million.

CEP Program

In 2011, East Ohio began CEP which enables East Ohio to defer depreciation expense, property tax expense and carrying costs associated with CEP investments. In April 2021, East Ohio filed an application requesting approval to adjust the CEP cost recovery rates for 2019 and 2020 costs.  The filing reflects gross plant investment for 2019 of $137 million, gross plant investment for 2020 of $99 million, cumulative gross plant investment of $957 million and a revenue requirement of $119 million. This matter is pending.

UEX Rider

East Ohio has approval for a UEX Rider through which it recovers the bad debt expense of most customers not participating in the PIPP Plus Program. The UEX Rider is adjusted annually to achieve dollar for dollar recovery of East Ohio’s actual write-offs of uncollectible amounts. In July 2021, the Ohio Commission approved East Ohio’s application to adjust its UEX Rider to reflect an

increased annual revenue requirement of $20 million to provide for an under-recovered accumulated bad debt expense of $7 million as of March 31, 2021, and recovery of net bad debt expense projected to total $13 million for the twelve-month period ending March 2022.

West Virginia Regulation

West Virginia Base Rate Case

In September 2020, Hope filed its base rate case and schedules with the West Virginia Commission. Hope proposed a non-fuel, base rate increase of $28 million. The base rate increase was proposed to recover the significant investment in distribution infrastructure and costs associated with the acquisition of over 2,000 miles of gathering assets, both for the benefit of West Virginia customers.  The proposed rates would provide for an ROE of 10.25% compared to the authorized ROE of 9.45%. In July 2021, the West Virginia Commission approved a non-fuel, base rate increase of $13 million for rates effective July 2021 with an ROE of 9.54%. In August 2021, Hope filed a petition for reconsideration with the West Virginia Commission regarding certain return calculations included in the July 2021 approval order.

PREP

In May 2021, Hope filed a PREP application with the West Virginia Commission requesting approval to recover PREP costs related to $54 million and $56 million of projected capital investment for 2021 and 2022, respectively. The application also includes a true-up of PREP costs related to the 2020 actual capital investment of $34 million and sets forth $9 million of annual PREP costs to be recovered in proposed rates effective November 1, 2021. In October 2021, the West Virginia Commission approved the request.

Utah Regulation

Purchased Gas

In May 2021, the Utah Commission approved Questar Gas’ request for a $43 million gas cost increase with rates effective June 2021.

In October 2021, the Utah Commission approved Questar Gas’ request for an $83 million gas cost increase with rates effective November 2021.