RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy
Virginia is asking localities and internet service providers (ISPs)
for information to facilitate greater broadband internet access for
parts of the Commonwealth currently unserved by this critical
resource.
The responses will help Dominion Energy advance a pilot program
to help reach Virginia homes and
businesses who don't currently have access to broadband
internet.
"We're excited about how much this pilot could help rural
Virginia communities," said
Ed Baine, senior vice president of
Electric Distribution. "High-speed Internet access will
support economic development and social equity while simultaneously
promoting public health, public safety, and educational
opportunities for our customers who currently don't have
broadband."
Dominion Energy is looking into ways it can serve as a "middle
mile" provider, filling a void that often exists between the
largest data connections and homes and businesses. Dominion
Energy's telecommunications network may be able to bridge the gap
by making its broadband capacity available to internet service
providers in unserved communities, as allowed by 2019
legislation patroned by Del. Israel
O'Quinn. An explanation of possible options to increase
access is provided in the company's Broadband Feasibility
Report, which was a component of the Grid Transformation &
Security Act of 2018.
VIDEO: Dominion Energy Chairman, President and
CEO Thomas F.
Farrell, II remarks on rural broadband at National Governor's
Association 2019 Summer Meeting on July 26,
2019:
https://youtu.be/8mHybUwissA
For more information about the pilot program visit:
http://www.dominionenergy.com/ruralbroadband
Responses to the Request for Information by localities and
ISPs should be submitted no later than Monday, Sept. 9, 2019.
The information gathered through the RFI may be used to inform
future Request for Proposals and requests for approval before
the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
About Dominion Energy
Nearly 7.5 million customers in
18 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or
natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered
in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable,
reliable, affordable and safe energy and is one of the nation's
largest producers and transporters of energy with about $100
billion of assets providing electric generation, transmission
and distribution, as well as natural gas storage, transmission,
distribution and import/export services. The company expects to cut
generating fleet carbon dioxide emissions 80 percent by 2050 and
reduce methane emissions from its gas assets 50 percent by 2030.
Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn
more.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy