The proposal surfaced before the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) in Dominion Energy Virginia’s annual Rider T1 proceeding, which determines how the utility recovers transmission costs from customers. Amazon argued that large-load customers should be permitted to finance transmission facilities built specifically for their projects through contributions in aid of construction (CIAC). Data Center Knowledge reviewed official transcripts from the hearings and related filings, as well as Dominion’s rebuttal. Utilities and regional transmission organizations also face the problem of distinguishing speculative load requests from projects likely to materialize. New Minimum Demand Charges Rebalance Transmission CostsThe hearings highlighted how Virginia’s recently approved transmission minimum demand charges are starting to shift more transmission costs to large-load customers.