Dominion Energy flies to London as merger scrutiny and gas plant plans advance

Dominion Energy flew from the Hummel Seaplane Base in New Jersey to London Stansted on June 6, a 1-hour 34-minute hop aboard its Gulfstream G450 (N607D) that touched down at 11:43 p.m. local time. The quick transatlantic trip comes as the company navigates a busy news cycle on two fronts.

The same week Dominion Energy lands in London, Virginia lawmakers are sharpening questions about the proposed NextEra Energy acquisition, per an ARLnow report on May 27. The $67 billion all-stock deal, announced May 18, would make NextEra the world's largest regulated electric utility, serving 10 million accounts across four states. Separately, Dominion Energy is planning a 3,000-megawatt natural gas plant in Cumberland County, Virginia, described as the largest gas facility in its fleet, according to a Yahoo News report published this week.

The London visit marks a departure from Dominion Energy's typical pattern of flying between Richmond and cities like Charlotte or Chicago. The Richmond-based utility's recent flight history shows a trip from Gardiners Island Landing to Richmond on May 20, and frequent operations out of its home base at Richmond International. With regulatory approvals for the NextEra deal expected over the next 12 to 18 months, this international flight may signal talks with investors or partners abroad.