L
EGACY Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.
WEDNESDAYS • March 10, 2021
INSIDE Respite care cost reimbursements - 2 Va. inmates receive COVID vaccines - 3 Universal peace requires same justice - 5
Richmond & Hampton Roads
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Black families use their stories to empower others HAZEL TRICE EDNEY
TEWire – It was around 10 am about six months ago, Aug. 18, 2020. Jamie and Tonya Nash and their two sons were in class and at work inside their house in Newnan, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. It was a scene being played out in millions of homes across the nation as the days of the coronavirus pandemic wore on. But, as if the international quarantine wasn’t enough, the life of the Nash family was about to take on a whole new dimension. Their older son, Daniel, 13, was at his computer in the dining room and their youngest son, Nicholas, 7, was at a desk in the kitchen. Nicholas, a good-natured, warm and jovial son who loves to sing and videotape himself playing with toys, was playing around as Mrs. Nash chided him, encouraging him to focus on a worksheet. “I was explaining to him what he needed to do, and he was just being silly and grinning, and I was like, ‘Boy, look, do this work and you can have a break. You’re taking away from your break time over here playing.” Just as she thought he was about to focus, something strange happened. “All of a sudden his head dropped down and I thought to myself, I know this boy ain’t going to sleep. So, I pulled his head up and I said, ‘Boy you better wake up. What are you doing? And then when I pulled his head up, I could see his eyes. They were rolling around and
moving fast.’” Mrs. Nash, who has a master’s degree in public health, recognized immediately what was happening -albeit unbelievable. “I knew it was a seizure. But the Mama in me was like, this is not happening. What is going on?” She grabbed Nicholas with one hand and her phone with the other and was trying to dial 911, but she couldn’t get the number right as she struggled to balance. So, she cried out for her husband, Jamie, who was in the bedroom teaching an online JROTC class. The Nash family story is harrowing and emotional even as she recounts it. But they told their story anyway as Feb. 28, the last day of Black History Month, has been designated as Rare Diseases Day by the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD). Though their situation is more unusual than most, they are hoping to impart awareness to other Black families who may have to deal with rare conditions like Epilepsy. “It was very scary. He had never had a seizure before. So, we called the ambulance, and he went to the ER and they told us that, because he had no history of seizures, this would probably be the only one that he’ll have,” she said. Even after Nicholas was over the seizure, his regular health care provider reiterated the next day that it was not clear what had happened, but he should be fine. That was not the case. “Five days
Tonya Nash and her son Nicholas are among members of Black families telling their stories about dealing with rare diseases. later we found him in the bathroom where he’d had another seizure.” As is typical of the days of COVID, only one parent was allowed to go into the hospitals or doctors’
appointments with Nicholas. After the second seizure, Mrs. Nash took him to the Children’s
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The LEGACY
2 • March 10, 2021
Caregivers can apply for up to $400 reimbursement for respite costs Virginia families who care for a loved one with disabilities or chronic conditions can apply for up to $400 reimbursement for respite costs under a limited voucher program offered by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. Respite is short-term, temporary relief for those who care for family members, which can help reduce the strain on caregivers so they can continue to provide for their loved ones. Those who qualify and are approved may receive up to a $400 reimbursement for costs related to respite. Examples of respite services for which families can apply for
reimbursement include: - An in-home program, where services are provided in the family’s home or a care provider’s home; - A center-based program, where family caregivers bring the care recipient (e.g., child, adult, older adult) to a facility to receive respite care; - A child or adult care center, a summer or weekend camp; and - Assisted living or nursing home respite programs. The program has already reimbursed 275 families out of the target goal of 490 families and hopes to reach another 215 before grant funds are set to expire. The Virginia Lifespan Respite
Voucher Program is part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to support a statewide network of coordinated caregiver respite services. DARS collaborates on the efforts with the Virginia Caregiver Coalition, which works to improve the experience of caregiving through education and access to resources. To apply for the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program: You must be a Virginia caregiver of a child or an adult who resides full-time in your household. The primary caregiver for the person receiving care must apply for the funds. You may receive up to one $400.00 reimbursement benefit. You may not use voucher funds
to reimburse household expenses. Examples of this include: rent, cleaning, transportation, medical supplies, and food. Funds cannot be used so the applicant can go to work. You must use this program to hire a provider that does not live in the same household as the caregiver or care receiver. The caregiver cannot be reimbursed through this program for care they already provide. They must be 18 years or older to provide respite services. Not everyone who applies will be approved.
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not expect her to say that. She said the way his EEG looks; it doesn’t look like someone who just started having seizures.” Ultimately, the diagnosis was confirmed. Nicholas not only has Epilepsy, but he has an extremely rare kind of Epilepsy, called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). It is a form of Epilepsy that usually becomes apparent during infancy or much earlier childhood, “usually before the age of 4 years,” according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). “That was devastating to hear to put it lightly,” said Mrs. Nash. “Since the diagnosis, our son has had different types of seizures and they were pretty much unexpected as to when they would happen. They would randomly happen.” They can occur at any time, even the most inopportune times: “He had a seizure on his birthday, he had a seizure on Thanksgiving, he had a seizure on Christmas and multiple seizures during the Christmas break,” his mother recalls.
The diagnosis has changed their lives astronomically. At first the seizures mostly happened in the morning; then started happening in the evening. “So, whenever he’s up, we’re up. We’re watching him like a hawk because there’s been a couple of times that he’s had a seizure, and no one was around him and we found him. We had to put cameras all over our house so that, God forbid, if he had a seizure, we’d at least be able to see what happened and if there was a trigger, what kind of seizure he had, and how long it lasted. He will need monitoring constantly for the foreseeable future until we get things under control.” In addition to assuring that their home is safe for Nicholas, they are also working closely with his school system to make sure he has the accommodations needed to maximize the quality of his education. Lorraine Newborn-Palmer, a member of the African American Professional Advisory Board for the
Epilepsy Foundation (EF), says the increased education about seizures in the Black community is crucial. “As an ethnic group, conditions such as epilepsy are being discussed more often in the context of historical backgrounds and now in the face of an ongoing epidemic,” says Newborn-Painter, clinical program manager for the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute. “We, as nurses, recognize the increased importance of education about seizures and epilepsy that cannot be overlooked. Forging ahead in this everchanging healthcare environment has become even more of a challenge.” Fortunately, Tonya Nash immediately recognized Nicholas’ first seizure. But there are multiple kinds of seizures, all of which appear different. Here are a few of the most important facts about African-Americans and seizures, according to research by Thometta Cozart, a Master of Public Health
Hospital of Atlanta. There he was diagnosed with Epilepsy, put on medications, and was told he needed to see a neurologist for an electroencephalogram (EEG) - which is a test that detects electrical activity in the brain. Both of their sons began showing signs of autism when they were 2 years old. But the Nashes had learned to manage two autistic children. Medical science sometimes connects autism and epilepsy – both being neurological disorders - but, given the advanced ages of their sons, there was no reason to believe either would be diagnosed with Epilepsy. So, the Nash family had begun a mysterious journey; not knowing that an even greater shock was on the way. “When we had the EEG done, we weren’t expecting results right away, but the neurologist looked at the results and she said, “’I’m going to tell you this. Your EEG results are extremely abnormal’, which blew me away because I did
For more information on how to apply, visit vda.virginia.gov/vlrv.htm.
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(from page 2) and representative of the Epilepsy Foundation (EF) who facilitates the EF’s mini grant program: African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with epilepsy than Caucasians; they more often experience status epilepticus, a medical emergency in which a seizure continues for 10 minutes or more without stopping; and they are at increased risk for Sudden Unexpected Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP). For many African-Americans with epilepsy, access to appropriate care is a central problem. But even more damaging than issues of medical care can be the fear, misperceptions and discrimination imposed by people who don’t know the truth about epilepsy — that it doesn’t define a person, it’s just a medical condition. Education is the key to changing attitudes and encouraging those with the condition to seek proper care. More than 578,000 AfricanAmericans are living with active epilepsy in the US and more than 25,000 new cases are diagnosed each year among African Americans in the US. African Americans are more likely to experience a medical emergency in which a seizure continues for 10 minutes or more without stopping. A free Seizure Recognition and First Aid certification training will help a care giver to recognize and administer efficient first aid. Information on this training can be found at www.epilepsy.com/firstaid. Among the most important facts to be known is that there is always hope as research continues. Despite the difficulties over the past six months, the Nashes remain a healthy and happy family. Tonya and Jamie will be celebrating 18 years of marriage in June. Of Nicholas, Mrs. Nash concludes, “In spite of all the seizures, our son continues to be a loveable, happy and resilient little boy!”
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More than 1/2 of Va. inmates have received vaccine The Virginia Department of Corrections has administered a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 50 percent of its inmates, far outpacing the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations seen elsewhere. More than half of DOC staff have also received the vaccine. The DOC continues to get shots into arms at facilities across the state as they receive vaccines from the Virginia Department of Health.
Medical staff at the Virginia DOC worked intently with Virginia Department of Health (VDH) officials, following CDC guidelines, as vaccines approached and received emergency approval. The DOC then started a massive education campaign to help inmates make informed decisions about the vaccine. Taking the vaccine is voluntary. More than 13,000 inmates
and more than 6,000 staff have received the first of two Moderna COVID-19 shots. All inmates who receive the first shot are scheduled to receive the second shot four weeks later. Second doses are being administered now as well; approximately 3,000 individuals have received their 2nd dose of the vaccine. The average daily inmate population in January was 23,811.
Bowers Hill Interchange Improvements Study Cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk Citizen Comment Opportunity www.BowersHillInterchange.com Review information and provide comments on an improvements study to consider potential safety and operational improvements in the Bowers Hill interchange area in Chesapeake and Suffolk. The Bowers Hill Interchange Improvements Study area includes segments of I-664, I-64, I-264, Route 460, Route 58, Route 13 and Jolliff Road (Route 191). The needs of this study are to reduce congestion, improve travel reliability and provide additional travel choice on I-664 from and including the Bowers Hill interchange to College Drive. In lieu of an in-person meeting, citizens are invited to learn more by viewing a video presentation and to submit comments using an online survey. Study information will be online as early as Feb. 12, 2021 with the video presentation online on March 15, 2021. Public comments will be received March 15 through March 25, 2021. The presentation, survey, past meeting materials and more study details are available at www. BowersHillInterchange.com. Comments can also be sent to bowershill@vdot.virginia.gov or mailed to Bowers Hill Interchange Improvements Study, 11827 Canon Blvd. Suite 402, Newport News, VA 23606. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information in regards to your civil rights on this project or need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 757-956-3000, TTY/TDD 711. State Project: 0664-131-028, P101 Federal Project: 31103 UPC: 111427
4 • March 10, 2021
Op/Ed & Letters
The LEGACY
Universal peace requires universal justice DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR. I believe The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. words from the past are still true and relevant today: “Peace is not the absence of war, but it is the presence of justice.” The recent international 5th Rally of Hope was sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation, an NGO organization with consultative status with Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The global virtual Rally of Hope reached over 320 million people on more than 4oo digital platforms in addition to print, TV and radio media coverage on February 27, 2021. World leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America issued a united call for peace throughout the world. Dr. Hak Ja Jan Moon, co-founder of the Universal Peace Foundation delivered a major address at the Rally of Hope under the theme “Building Partnerships for Peace based on Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity, and Universal Values.” Mark Phillips, the Prime Minister The LEGACY NEWSPAPER Vol. 7 No. 10 Mailing Address P.O. Box 12474 Richmond, VA 23241 Office Address 105 1/2 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23219 Call: 804-644-1550 Online www.legacynewspaper.com
of Guyana, in his address, asked and answered a pertinent question: “What does a future build on peace look like?” It is when “World leaders, decision-makers, and even religious leaders joining to collectively plan and develop ways to respond to the requirements of peacebuilding…. and building strong partnerships.” It was the President of Cape Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, as an African leader respected throughout the continent of Africa, who made a direct response and applicable observation that was aligned with the enduring legacy and memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. President The LEGACY welcomes all signed letters and all respectful opinions. Letter writers and columnists opinions are their own and endorsements of their views by The LEGACY should be inferred. The LEGACY assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Annual Subscription Rates Virginia - $50 Other states - $75 Outside U.S.- $100 The Virginia Legacy © 2020
Fonseca emphasized, “More than just the mere absence of war, peace, as a value and as an asset, is a blessing that is achieved through tolerance, solidarity, and respect for people’s differences…. I believe that in order to build a better world, to strengthen democracy and encourage citizenship, it is not only the economy that is important, values are also fundamental and … change must begin now.” Amidst the continuing international spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important that global leaders did join together virtually to commit leadership, resources, and a focus of social justice, health justice, economic justice, and global partnerships to strive for peace throughout the world. Speaking on behalf of the Black Press of America, via the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), I know that the Rally of Hope was timely and a much needed event. Now the work of makingpeace and justice-seeking should accelerate in all the nations that participated in the Rally of Hope. The pendulum of history is now
swinging steadily in the direction of millions of people throughout the world who are crying out for freedom, justice, equality, equity, empowerment and peace. It is strategically wise, therefore, for world leaders not only to hear the cries of their people, .”but also to respond in a manner that ensures both justice and peace. I remain optimistic hopeful because here in the United States, millions of people at the grassroots level are organizing and building effective movements and engagements for equality, justice and peace. Dr. King’s concept of a “Beloved Community” is more relevant today than back in the 1960s. Let’s continue to rally. Let’s continue to pray. Let’s continue to mobilize peacefully and internationally. Let’s continue stand up and speak truth to power. Chavis is president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and is executive producer and host of The Chavis Chronicles (TCC) on PBS TV across America.
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P.T. Hoffsteader, Esq.
March 10, 2021 • 5
this week teamed up with two of his colleagues and introduced a bill to stimulate the economy and allow borrowers to get a better handle on their student debt during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Chandler O.
In support $1.T tab Student debt in the U.S. has surpassed $1.7 trillion, a devastating sum for young people in Virginia and across America who find themselves unable to pay back their loans due to the extraordinary financial circumstances brought on by the pandemic. Like with so many other problems, COVID-19 has only served to exacerbate the student debt crisis. The pandemic has taken a toll on nearly every industry in the economy, forcing businesses everywhere to shrink or shutter, and wiping out jobs that recent college graduates might have once aspired to occupy. Fearing the long-term economic effects of having an entire generation of people burdened with insurmountable debt, Sen. Warner
This administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2021, which would strengthen the Federal laws that protect workers’ right to organize a union and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. America was not built by Wall Street. It was built by the middle class, and unions built the middle class. Unions put power in the hands of workers. They give workers a stronger voice to increase wages, improve the quality of jobs and protect job security, protect against racial and all other forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, and protect workers’ health, safety, and benefits in the workplace. Unions lift up workers, both union and non-union. The policy of the United States
Government, stated clearly in the National Labor Relations Act, is to encourage union organizing and collective bargaining. However, due to anti-union efforts by many employers for decades, lax enforcement of existing labor laws, and the failure to restore and strengthen labor laws to address the real-world of labor-management relations, only 6.3 percent percent of private-sector U.S. wage and salary workers were union members in 2020. H.R. 842 would strengthen and protect workers’ right to form a union by allowing the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to assess penalties on employers who violate workers’ right to organize and ensuring that workers who suffer retaliation for exercising these rights receive immediate relief. The PRO Act also defends workers’ right to strike—a fundamental economic right—and to engage in boycotts and other acts of solidarity with workers at other companies without penalty. It clarifies that employers may not force employees to waive their rights to join together in collective
or class action litigation. The bill also closes loopholes in Federal labor law by barring employers from misclassifying workers as independent contractors and preventing workers from being denied remedies due to their immigration status. It establishes an expansive joint employer standard, allowing workers to collectively bargain with all the companies that control the terms and conditions of their employment. The bill allows unions to collect fair-share fees to cover the cost of collective bargaining and administering a union contract for all workers who are protected by the contract’s terms. H.R. 842 restores workers’ access to fair union elections and ensures the results are respected. The administration strongly encourages the House to pass H.R. 842, and looks forward to working with the Congress to enact this critical legislation that safeguards workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. The PRO Act will strengthen our democracy and advance dignity in the workplace. Rep. Bobby Scott
6 • March 10, 2021
The LEGACY
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER E, FOR RECOVERY OF COSTS INCURRED TO COMPLY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS CASE NO. PUR-2021-00013 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for revision of a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations. •Dominion requests approval of a total revenue requirement of approximately $67,451,000 for its 2021 Rider E. According to Dominion, this amount would decrease the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $0.42. •Due to the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, a Hearing Examiner appointed by the State Corporation Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony. •A Hearing Examiner will hold an evidentiary hearing in this case on June 9, 2021, after the receipt of public witness testimony. •Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On January 19, 2021, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed a petition (“Petition”) with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) for an annual update of its rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for the recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations at the Company’s Chesterfield, Bremo, Clover and Mt. Storm Power Stations. Dominion states that it is filing this annual update to inform the Commission of the status of the environmental projects located at the Chesterfield Power Station, referred to as the Chesterfield Integrated Ash Project, as well as the environmental projects at the Bremo, Clover and Mt. Storm Power Stations, and their projected expenditures. The Company seeks recovery of three general categories of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental laws and regulations: (i) asset retirement obligation (“ARO’’) expenses associated with existing assets that must be closed, (ii) newly constructed assets and associated expenses; and (iii) ARO expenses associated with the newly constructed assets. In this proceeding, Dominion asks the Commission to approve Rider E for the rate year beginning November 1, 2021, and ending October 31, 2022 (“2021 Rate Year”). The Company states that the two components of the revenue requirement are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company requests a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $68,561,000, and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement credit of $1,110,000. Thus, the Company proposes a total revenue requirement of $67,451,000 for service rendered during the 2021 Rate Year. For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion states that it utilized a rate of return on common equity of 9.2%, which was approved by the Commission in its Final Order in Case No. PUR-2019-00050. Dominion asserts that it will utilize the same methodology to calculate Rider E rates in the instant proceeding as was approved in its last Rider E filing, with the exception that in this case the Company did not remove federal customers’ and retail choice customers’ load and usage for the purpose of designing rates. Dominion proposes that revised Rider E be effective for usage on and after November 1, 2021. If the revised Rider E for the 2021 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its revised Rider E on November 1, 2021, would decrease the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.42. Interested persons are encouraged to review the Petition and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals. TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents. The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on Dominion’s Petition. On June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses, with no public witness present in the Commission’s courtroom. On or before June 7, 2021, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. On June 9, 2021, after the receipt of public witness testimony, either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 3719838 to arrange the delivery. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Please refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information. An electronic copy of the Company’s Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Timothy D. Patterson, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or tpatterson@mcguirewoods.com. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On or before June 9, 2021, any interested person may file comments on the Petition by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00013. On or before April 16, 2021, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by Rule 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00013. On or before April 30, 2021, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission and serve on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service; and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00013. Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The Company’s Petition, the Commission’s Rules of Practice and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
March 10, 2021• 7
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NN Waterworks deploy smart meters Newport News Waterworks recently began the much-anticipated smart meter installation project. This project will last approximately two and a half years, as crews upgrade over 130,000 existing meters in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York County and part of James City County. Work began last week in midtown Newport News and upper York County. Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the Smart Meter Installation Project website to track progress and see when work will take place in their area. Over the past year, Waterworks has worked with project partners, including Ferguson Enterprises, Mueller Co., ESource (formerly Excergy), and Deloitte, to build and test the project’s required infrastructure. The team installed over 1,200 test meters, integrated process systems, evaluated communication distance and meter box flooding, and studied the meter’s internal valve operations. “Newport News Waterworks invested a great deal of time and resources during the testing phase to ensure we can deploy smart meters throughout the 225 square mile service area while minimizing disruptions to customers,” said Yann Le Gouellec, director of Newport News Waterworks. “Smart meters reduce the number of trucks on the roadway and the department’s carbon footprint, while eliminating monthly visits from meter readers. This full deployment of smart meters is an infrastructure improvement that will speed up issue resolution and identify problems in our system sooner for the benefit of our customers.” As smart meters are deployed throughout the service area, Newport News Waterworks anticipates launching a new customer service portal this fall. Enhanced options include access
to more timely and detailed usage data and quick and easy service connection or disconnection. Waterworks will also be able to
identify unusually high usage incidents and, in many instances, contact customers before they receive high bills.
Waterworks has partnered with Ferguson Enterprises and their subcontractor, Utility Partners of America (UPA), for the installation.
Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) Bridge Replacement over Otterdam Swamp Surry County Find out about the proposed plans to replace the bridge and approach roadway on Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) over Otterdam Swamp in Surry County. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has designated the existing bridge, built in 1954, in need of replacement. The proposed bridge replacement project is located on Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) from 0.196 miles west of Route 601 (Hickory Hill Road) to 0.006 miles west of Route 601 (Hickory Hill Road) and approximately 7.7 miles southwest of the intersection with Route 10. The project will involve staged construction with reduced traffic capacity in order to maintain vehicle access throughout the project. Review project information and the National Environmental Policy Act document in the form of a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE) in person at VDOT’s Hampton Roads District Office located at 7511 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435, 757-956-3266, TTY/TDD 711. Due to current visitor guidelines, please call ahead to make an appointment with appropriate personnel to review documents and/or answer your questions. If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Mrs. Nancy Marshall, Virginia Department of Transportation, 7511 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435 on or prior to March 15, 2021. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information in regards to your civil rights on this project or need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Project Manager Mrs. Nancy Marshall at the phone number listed above.
State Project: 0040-090-753, P101, R201 0040-090-760, M501, B605 Federal Project: STP-BR05(271)
UPC: 109254 & 111342
8 • March 10, 2021
The LEGACY
Social Work Month in March showcases the many roles of Virginia’s “Unsung Heroes” in providing mental and behavioral health care The Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and its nearly 3,000 members are celebrating Social Work Month this March with the national theme “Social Workers Are Essential.” The campaign educates the public about social workers as advocates and resources, and highlights the valuable contributions social workers make statewide, especially during the pandemic. Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, rising from a current 700,000 to an estimated 800,000 professionals by 2029. Virginia has nearly 10,000 licensed clinical social workers, and demand for social
work services continues to outpace availability of behavioral health providers. “Few people realize that social work professionals comprise the largest behavioral health group in the country, or that many of our members work alongside doctors, nurses, and other frontline workers, thus experiencing similar risks and exhaustion,” says Executive Director Debra Riggs, CAE. “The profession has exploded over the past decade and is poised to grow exponentially. Even Ashley Biden, daughter of President Biden, is a social worker!” Riggs notes that Virginia social workers “have worked extra-long hours and executed a radical pivot to telehealth to respond to
skyrocketing public needs for more mental and behavioral health services in our state. We are grateful that the General Assembly, Gov. Northam, and leaders such as Sen. Creigh Deeds recently boosted funding and established a new oversight entity to strengthen Virginia’s mental health care systems.” While TV and movie versions of social workers have generated an unfair stereotype of these professionals as people “who just take away kids from their families,” social workers are embedded in many work settings throughout society. They provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment, assist active military and veterans, help schoolchildren, transition the returns to society of people who have been imprisoned, help corporations better serve communities, and protect children from neglect and abuse. They also work in nonprofits, private practice, the court system, and local and state agencies. However, the profession has other
challenges beyond public confusion. A severe shortage of social workers in schools, colleges, and universities has often left young people inadequately supported when faced with complicated issues such as trauma, addiction, anxiety, loneliness, grief, and online learning stressors—all of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. And although social workers play a critical role in the nation’s health care system, they could and should be much better compensated for their efforts, according to a 2019 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. “We hope Social Work Month will help the public realize that social workers are highly educated and well-trained professionals who subscribe to one of the healthcare industry’s most stringent codes of ethics,” says Riggs. “People should feel confident turning to social workers, who work tirelessly to advocate for their clients and communities.” She notes that “social workers often are unsung heroes, and their natural tendency toward humility and discretion mean their extraordinary work is often undervalued or unseen. Please consider saying a kind word to the social workers in your lives and at work, especially during Social Work Month. Like our chapter, they are always fighting for policies that benefit families, individuals, and the vulnerable populations they serve such as children and older adults.”
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This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.
It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes. Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus
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U.S. Treasury injects $9 billion into minority and community lenders The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced that a new program intending to help out with access to capital in communities that have traditionally been underserved and that have suffered more than usual in the pandemic, a press release says. Called the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), the program will invest $9 billion into Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs) which are working to help provide financial products for small and minority-owned businesses and customers in the low-income and underserved communities. The money will be provided directly to the CDFIs and MDIs to help the provision of loans, grants and forbearance for businesses. The program also sets aside $2 billion for participants with under $500 million in assets, while another $2 billion will go towards participants with less than $2 billion in assets. “America has always had financial services deserts, places where it’s very difficult for people to get their hands on capital so they can, for example, start a business. But the pandemic has made these deserts even more inhospitable,” said Secretary Janet L. Yellen. “The Emergency Capital Investment Program will help these places that the financial sector hasn’t typically served well. It will allow people to access capital, especially in communities of color and rural areas.” The release says the program's highlights include incentivizing
Sen. Mark R. Warner interest rates via capped low-cost dividends on investments. It will ensure capital capital treatment that maximizes program effectiveness, which will come through agreements with federal banking regulators, and it will help people in general plan more for the long term, the release says. Short-term lending could be a big help for many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, and in particular modern solutions like a mobile peer-to-peer network to help build creditworthiness, which is what SoLo offers. Travis Holoway, co-founder and CEO of SoLo Funds, said that the best indicator of creditworthiness was often cash flow, such as people working on side hustles or other things outside of a traditional paycheck. “The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 has only exacerbated those inequalities. Today’s announcement by the Treasury Department is a historic step in helping underserved communities recover and emerge from this unprecedented economic downturn with more opportunities than before,” said U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA).
Actions
Speak
Louder Words have value, especially when they are used to make a promise. But the most important thing about a promise is the action you take afterward. At Dominion Energy, we believe in taking action – to deliver on our commitment to help people, communities, and the environment.
COVID-19 Response and Support In response to the pandemic’s economic impact, Dominion Energy has stepped up to meet the needs of our customers. We suspended all service disconnections for non-payment to provide uninterrupted, reliable service 24/7. We have given more than $1 million to support coronavirus relief efforts by the American Red Cross and other nonprofits, to help our communities in need.
Social Justice and Higher Education At Dominion Energy, we believe higher education is critical to addressing centuries of institutional racism. That is why we have committed $35 million to our initiative supporting historically Black colleges and universities, and to minority student scholarships. In addition, we have allocated another $5 million to promote social justice and community building.
Solar and Wind Energy To build a cleaner energy future, we have added more than 3.5 million solar panels throughout Virginia, helping to make us America’s third largest in solar. In addition, we are developing the largest offshore wind project in the U.S., which will produce enough energy to power 660,000 homes by 2026.
EnergyShare® For years, our EnergyShare® program has helped our neighbors across Virginia, assisting individuals and their families with bill payment and energy saving upgrades. As of today, the program has helped more than 858,000 people. In 2020, we expanded the EnergyShare® program to assist those impacted by the coronavirus with an additional $500,000 to help provide energy bill relief for small businesses, nonprofits, and houses of worship throughout Virginia.
Lower Rates And to help residential customers, we have kept our rates more than 10%* below the national average.
Turning promises into reality is what defines us. That is why we are proud to invest in what we believe in, and what we know is important to you.
*Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 1/26/2021