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How to be heard · Commonwealth of Virginia

Take part in an SCC case

The State Corporation Commission rules on utility cases, including Dominion's transmission lines, substations and electric rates. It works like a court. Every case has a number and an order that sets that case's deadlines.

Four ways in, easiest first

Written comment

Online form or mail, by the deadline in the case order. The SCC says written comments and live testimony get equal weight. [3]

Steps →
Testify by phone

Sign up by the date in the case order. The SCC calls you. [1]

Steps →
Testify in person

No sign-up. Arrive 15 minutes early and tell the bailiff. [1]

Steps →
Become a party

File a notice of participation by an early deadline. Groups need a lawyer. [5] [6]

Steps →

Open for comment now

Deadlines as the SCC lists them. Each case drops off this list after its deadline.
OCT30Comments due Oct 30, 2026Morrisville to Wishing Star 500 kV line, through Fauquier, Prince William and LoudounPUR-2026-00021
NOV12Comments due Nov 12, 2026NextEra Energy's proposed acquisition of Dominion EnergyPUR-2026-00112
DEC30Comments due Dec 30, 2026Rebuild of the Doubs-Goose Creek 500 kV line and two new 500 kV lines into Maryland, in LoudounPUR-2026-00076

First, find the case and its deadlines

  1. See which cases are open for comment

    The SCC's public comment page lists every case open for comment, with its deadline and a link to the order. [2]

    Cases Open for Comment →

  2. Read the case order

    Each case's Order for Notice and Hearing sets the comment deadline, the public witness sign-up date and the hearing dates. [4] Deadlines can move: in PUR-2026-00021, a hearing examiner extended the comment deadline by five weeks. [9]

  3. Follow the filings

    Every filing in a case is on DocketSearch, usually within 24 to 48 hours. [8] Upcoming hearings and their sign-up deadlines are on the SCC's webcasting page. [7]

    DocketSearch →

Send a written comment

  1. Use the case's online form

    Each open case has its own form on the public comment page. [2] It is the only accepted way to comment electronically, and every comment must name the case number. [1]

    Submit Public Comments →

  2. Or mail it

    Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218-2118. Include the case number. [1]

  3. Meet the deadline in the order

    The SCC says the deadline is usually about a week before the hearing. [1] Always check the order for the actual date.

  4. Know it is public

    Your name, your information and your comment become public in the case file, and the utility gets a copy. [2]

Testify by phone

  1. Sign up by the date in the case order

    Testifying by phone requires advance registration. [1] The order says how. In PUR-2026-00076, for example, it was the form on the SCC's webcasting page or a call to (804) 371-9141. [4]

    Webcasting and Sign-Up →

  2. Wait for the call

    The SCC calls witnesses in the order their forms came in. [1] The order in PUR-2026-00076 gives each witness five minutes. Other cases may differ. [4]

  3. Testify under oath

    You take an oath. Commissioners, the hearing examiner or the lawyers in the case may ask you questions. [1] State your full name, your address, and whether you speak for a group. You cannot ask them questions. A court reporter puts what you say into the case record. [3]

Testify in person

  1. Confirm the hearing

    Most hearings are in the SCC's courtroom in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond. [4] The SCC sometimes holds hearings in other parts of the state. Before you travel, call the bailiff at 804-371-9739 to confirm the hearing is going ahead. [1]

  2. Arrive early and tell the bailiff

    No filing is needed. Arrive at least 15 minutes early and tell the bailiff you want to testify. Expect security screening. [1]

  3. Testify under oath

    The same rules apply as by phone: an oath, possible questions, and a transcript in the record. [1] [3]

Become a party to the case

This is the most involved way to take part. It takes the most time, and the deadline comes months before the hearing.

  1. File a notice of participation, early

    A respondent is a formal party to the case. You become one by filing a notice of participation. [5] The deadline comes early. In PUR-2026-00076 it was four months before the hearing. [4]

  2. Know what it takes

    Parties present expert testimony and exhibits, file briefs and make legal arguments, usually through a lawyer. [1]

    An organization, such as an HOA, must have a lawyer to represent it. [6]

    A person without a lawyer must explain why a public comment or public testimony is not enough. [4]

    Public witnesses cannot take part this way, be on the service list or be a party. [5]

Sources

Official pages, orders and rules of the State Corporation Commission. Each shows the date we checked it; SCC page footers show a template date, so the check date is given instead.

  1. [1]Participating in SCC Cases. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  2. [2]Submit Public Comments. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  3. [3]Public Participation Tips. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  4. [4]Order for Notice and Hearing. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Jul 9, 2026. PUR-2026-00076. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  5. [5]5VAC5-20-80, Participation as a respondent (SCC Rules of Practice and Procedure). Virginia Administrative Code. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  6. [6]5VAC5-20-30, Counsel (SCC Rules of Practice and Procedure). Virginia Administrative Code. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  7. [7]Webcasting and hearing schedule. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  8. [8]Case Information. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
  9. [9]Hearing Examiner's Ruling. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Jun 29, 2026. PUR-2026-00021. Checked Oct 23, 2026.