Dominion Energy bills spark protests and pleas for help as winter demand collides with higher rates
dominion energy customers in Hampton Roads are struggling to make sense of high winter electric bills that, in some cases, have climbed by hundreds of dollars—triggering social media outrage, protests outside the company’s Norfolk offices, and a growing wave of requests for financial help.
What is driving the latest Dominion Energy bill spikes?
Utibe Bassey, vice president of customer relations at Dominion, said there are two main reasons power bills have increased for many customers. The first is weather: Bassey said homes used more energy than they have in decades this winter, describing December as the coldest in 15 years and saying January into February brought temperatures not seen since the 1940s. The second driver is higher rates this year tied to rising fuel and equipment costs.
The combination has left many customers describing bills that doubled or even tripled, fueling confusion about what changed and why. Dominion’s explanation centers on higher usage during extreme cold and the separate impact of rate increases tied to the company’s costs.
What happens when households cannot keep up with payments?
For some residents, the price shock has quickly turned into a household emergency. In Chesapeake, neighbor Erica Hardy said her power was shut off after she did not pay her bill in full. She said she had a fridge and freezer full of food but did not know how long it would last without electricity. Hardy said she is living paycheck to paycheck and had just spent her most recent paycheck—$502—paying part of her electric bill, but still owed about $1, 100 and did not know when she would get power back. She also questioned how her bill could be so high, saying she is gone most of the time.
In Newport News, Faith Booker said she owed more than $1, 200 after moving into her apartment on December 10, 2025. Booker described a $609 bill after 27 days and said she had been reaching out to various organizations for help but, as of Monday, had not had any luck.
Public frustration has been visible online and on the ground. Within three hours of a Facebook post asking neighbors whether their bill had gone up, the post drew more than 1, 000 comments and more than 400 reactions. A protest was also scheduled to take place Monday afternoon at Dominion’s office in Norfolk, and pickets have occurred outside the Norfolk offices amid ongoing anger over bills.
What help is available for customers facing high bills?
Shirley Brackett, crisis response director at the region’s Housing Crisis Hotline, said higher bills are straining families across Hampton Roads—especially those who were already barely getting by. Brackett described a sharp rise in demand for electric-bill help: the hotline typically adds 40 to 50 people per week to a winter assistance list, but over the last two weeks that number spiked to 200 people per week seeking help with electric bills.
Bassey said customers who need help should use Dominion’s programs and resources aimed at reducing bill shocks and managing arrears. She pointed to Budget Billing, which is designed to smooth seasonal spikes by paying the same amount each month. Bassey also highlighted Dominion’s EnergyShare Program, which can cover up to $600 for heating assistance, and said payment plans can help customers pay off a high bill over time. Usage alerts can also notify customers when their energy use or bill reaches a chosen threshold.
For immediate bill reduction, Bassey said thermostat settings can make a difference, encouraging customers to set thermostats to 68 or lower during the winter and 78 or higher during the summer. While Bassey stressed that Dominion cannot control or predict the weather, she emphasized preparing for seasonal volatility by using available tools, assistance programs, and payment options.
