Have a new church construction in Richmond that Dominion Energy put on Schedule GS-1 (General Service) instead of Schedule RS (Religious/Educational). The difference is significant - GS-1 demand charges are $12.50/kW vs RS at $8.75/kW. Church has 180kW peak demand mostly from HVAC and lighting. Dominion claims they need additional documentation beyond the 501c3 certificate. What specific docs have others provided for religious institution rates? - Alice J.
New construction church classified wrong - Dominion Energy Virginia
Alice, Dominion Energy is pretty strict on religious rates. Besides the 501c3, they usually want articles of incorporation showing religious purposes, property tax exemption records, and sometimes a letter from the pastor explaining the building's use. The key is proving its primarily for worship and religious education, not commercial activities. - Lorraine B.
Lorraine is correct on Dominion's documentation requirements. Also check if the church has any commercial kitchen rental or event space that might disqualify them. Dominion Schedule RS requires the facility be used "exclusively" for religious or educational purposes. Mixed-use buildings often get denied. Submit a formal reclassification request with all supporting docs and reference Tariff Section 2 Schedule RS eligibility criteria. - Randy D.
Had success with a Knoxville church on TVA territory using similar approach. The "exclusively" language is key - we had to document that any community events were religious in nature (wedding receptions, church dinners, etc.). Commercial rentals would disqualify them from religious rates. - Carol J.
Thanks everyone. Church pastor confirmed no commercial rentals - just worship services, bible study, and church social events. Gathering all the documentation Lorraine mentioned plus a detailed letter explaining building usage. With 180kW demand the savings would be $675 monthly so definitely worth the paperwork effort. - Alice J.
Alice, curious about the timeline. How long has the church been on the wrong rate? Some utilities limit retroactive adjustments for religious/educational reclassifications since the qualification requirements are seen as customer responsibility to prove initially. - Diana R.
Diana, service started December 1st so only about 7 weeks. Dominion should approve retroactive adjustment back to service start date if reclassification gets approved. The electrical contractor should have requested religious rate initially but apparently just marked it as general commercial. - Alice J.
This is exactly why I always review rate classifications immediately after new service connections. So many contractors and even utility reps default to standard commercial rates without asking about special qualifications. Religious, agricultural, and municipal rates can save thousands annually. - Vernon C.
Update: Dominion approved the reclassification to Schedule RS effective March 1st! They're providing retroactive credit back to December 1st worth $1,890. The key documents were the 501c3, articles of incorporation, and the detailed pastoral letter explaining exclusive religious use. Thanks for all the guidance. - Alice J.