Virginia families are facing mounting financial pressure this winter as electricity bills from Dominion Energy climb to levels many say they have never seen before, raising fresh concerns about affordability, consumer protection, and energy security during the coldest months of the year.
For one family in Virginia, the increase has been nothing short of staggering. Last summer, their monthly electric bill was under $100. This month, it arrived at $930 — a nearly tenfold jump that has forced difficult choices about household spending, heating use, and basic necessities.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” the family said. “We’re trying to keep our home warm and safe, but a bill like this is terrifying. You start asking yourself what you can cut back on — and there’s not much left to cut.”
They are not alone. Across the state, residents report sharply higher energy bills as winter temperatures drive up heating demand. For many households already strained by rising food prices, rent, and healthcare costs, the sudden spike in utility expenses has become another heavy burden.
Community advocates say the impact goes beyond numbers on a statement.
“People are worried about keeping their kids warm, keeping elderly family members safe, and not falling behind on other bills,” said one local organizer. “When your power bill jumps hundreds of dollars in a single month, that’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a crisis for working families.”
Dominion Energy, the state’s largest electric utility, has previously pointed to a combination of factors that can influence winter bills, including colder-than-average temperatures, higher usage, fuel costs, and long-term investments in infrastructure. But for customers opening bills that are two, three, or even several times higher than expected, those explanations offer little immediate comfort.
“I understand winter bills go up,” said another Virginia resident. “But going from a normal bill to something close to a thousand dollars? That’s not something most families can absorb.”
The surge in costs is also reviving broader debates about utility regulation, rate structures, and how energy companies balance infrastructure investment with affordability for consumers. Consumer advocates are calling for closer scrutiny of billing practices, clearer communication with customers, and expanded assistance programs for households at risk of falling behind.
As temperatures remain low, many families are now bracing for what the next bill might bring — and worrying about how long they can keep up.
For households like the Virginia family now staring at a $930 charge, the issue is no longer abstract.
“This isn’t about politics or policy debates for us,” they said. “It’s about whether we can keep the heat on and still pay for groceries. No family should have to choose between staying warm and surviving financially.”
With winter far from over, pressure is likely to grow on both utility providers and state leaders to address the mounting concern: how to keep homes safe and warm without pushing families to the financial breaking point.
That’s too much