Electric Power Pricing

Virginia’s electric rates have usually been below the national average, but since 2023 Commercial and Industrial users haven’t followed national trends. Customers are grouped into energy use sectors such as residential, commercial, and industrial, based on how much and when they use power. Homes pay more per unit because their demand is smaller and less predictable; commercial users like offices and schools are steadier; and industrial users like factories or data centers require special planning. There is now debate over creating a separate rate class just for data centers.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Association electricity retail sales data (eia.gov)

Notes: Explanation of energy use sectors at EIA

• Residential pricing includes homes and apartments.
• Commercial pricing includes offices, malls, stores, schools, hospitals, hotels, warehouses, restaurants, and places of worship and public assembly.
• Industrial pricing includes facilities and equipment used for manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and construction.