Sept 14 ( ) - Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy on Monday said they would establish a Virginia supplier program worth up to $1 billion annually for five years if their proposed merger is approved. They announced merger plans in May, as rising power demand from data centers, electric vehicles and other industries drives a renewed wave of utility consolidation. • NextEra and Dominion said the new program would direct spending toward contractors, suppliers and service providers in Virginia. • They proposed extending monthly $10 bill credits to four years from two and increasing Dominion's low-income financial assistance by $100 million through 2038. • The commitments include a $100 million workforce development fund, an annual energy summit in the state and maintaining the current employee headcount there for five years. • The combined company will get a shareholder-funded co-headquarters tower in state capital Richmond. • Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said in August she would intervene in regulatory review of the merger, pressing for commitments on power affordability, job protections and clean energy investments. • Shareholders of both companies approved the proposed $66.8 billion merger earlier this month. The deal, awaiting regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of 2027. (Reporting by Sumit Saha in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet Das)
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