Kaine's SCC pick was bad choice
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Editor’s note: The following is an open letter to Gov. Tim Kaine by Prince William Rep. Frank Wolf (R).
I write to share my deep disappointment regarding your nomination of Mr. James C. Dimitri for the open seat on the State Corporation Commission (SCC). As an ardent opponent of Dominion Virginia Power’s proposal to build 550-kilovolt power lines across protected and historic areas of my district, I believe that the Commonwealth deserves better than a nominee who has fought to put special interest above the common interest.
In addition to advocating for these disruptive power lines, Mr. Dimitri also represented the Toll Road Investors Partnership II (TRIP II) in a successful 2003 effort to increase the ceiling on Dulles Greenway tolls from $2 to $3. According to the enclosed final order issued by the SCC, Mr. Dimitri “appeared as counsel for TRIP II.” As you know, the SCC again approved a toll increase at the behest of TRIP II in 2007 to raise the ceiling from $3 to $4. I have been vocal in opposing efforts to extort more money from constituents in my district. Every day, moms and dads in Loudoun County are held captive by this modern-day highway robbery.
Virginians deserve an impartial SCC that will act in the consumer interest. I am further concerned that Mr. Dimitri’s record as general counsel to the SCC followed by his appearing in cases before the SCC and your recent nomination to the SCC could be perceived as a “revolving door” and raise questions of the SCC’s impartiality and role as a neutral arbiter. Perhaps this is yet another sign of Dominion and other special interests power in Richmond.
You know how hard I have fought against installing a major transmission route over lands in northern Virginia for which millions of federal, state, and private dollars have been spent to protect and preserve and against the toll increases on the Dulles Greenway. What message will his appointment send to the other commissioners in issuing an opinion in the Dominion case? I have no personal grievances against Mr. Dimitri, but you can understand how the nomination of Mr. Dimitri is not only an insult to my constituents but also runs counter to the interests of the Commonwealth.
Again, I want to reiterate my disappointment with your nomination of Mr. Dimitri and strongly encourage you to reconsider. The impact of the Dominion case could raise rates on households for many years to come. SCC appointments should be made in the best interests of the Commonwealth, not for the expediency of Richmond.
Frank R. Wolf (R-Prince William)
Member of Congress
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