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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Falls Church Business News & Notes
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The Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominations for the Business and Community Awards. These include: Small Business: Galleria Florist, Lemon Lane Consignment, Alison Miller, Clare & Don’s, Café Kindred; Large Business: Clare & Don’s/Lazy Mike’s, Diener & Associates, Burke & Herbert Bank; Nonprofit of the Year: Homestretch, The Arc, Creative Cauldron, Lost Dogs and Cat Rescue, Easterseals, NOVA Scripts and the Falls Church Education Foundation; Company Culture of Excellence: Diener & Associates, Bikenetic, New Editions Consulting and Love & Miller; and Pillar of the Community: Sally Cole, Rebecca Tax and Dave Crance. The winners will be announced at the Bourbon, Brews & BBQ event at The State Theatre next Thursday, March 24. This is a community-wide celebration of the business and nonprofit community and all that makes Falls Church special. The event features food, live entertainment, and a live and silent auction. Auction items include tickets to Wolf Trap, wine tastings, tubing, custom website design, dining and more. Tickets are available at www.fallschurchchamber.org.
Kastle’s Back to Work Barometer
The Falls Church-based Kastle Security, a national building security firm, is using swipe data to estimate the number of workers who return to their offices in 10 U.S. cities. This “Back to Work Barometer” survey is being used by city development authorities and companies. While some cities see a move back to offices, it is clear that many downtown areas are upping their game to make downtown more of a destination. This involves upgrading older office buildings and adding amenities. The DC area reflects a 36 percent move back to offices with a 40 percent average in the survey. Nationally, there is a much stronger return to in-person activities: NBA games at 93.8 percent, TSA checkpoints 84.1 percent, movie box office 81.1 percent and Open Table Diners 80.9%.
Thought leaders of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) in Falls Church are presenting sessions at the Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference (ILTCI 2022) March 21-23 in Raleigh, NC. NAIFA is also hosting a special networking event. The ILTCI’s annual educational conference is for representatives of the long-term and extended care insurance community and other strategic allies, including providers, public policy institutions, professional organizations, federal, state, and local government agencies, and the public. Online registration for the event is open.
Local Women Business Leaders Spotlighted
In the month highlighting women, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has highlighted several local women in business. The number of women running businesses on the Fortune 500 hit a record of 41 women nationwide. Within the top 10, this includes Kathy Warden, chairman, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman, based in Falls Church. Also noted is Amy Gilliland, president of General Dynamics’ subsidiary General Dynamics information technology. Among the top entrepreneurs who fully own the largest women-owned firms, the Washington Business Journal cited Sophia Tong, CEO, T&T Consulting in Falls Church.
Lions Club Fruit Sale
This Saturday the Falls Church-Annandale Lions Club will sell fruit at the Annandale Swim and Tennis Club. Look for the Craig Moving Van situated at 7530 Little River Turnpike, the sale opens at 8:15 a.m. and runs until they have sold out.
Harvey’s Now Open
Another new restaurant, Harvey’s, opened in Falls Church and serves American cuisine with strong focus on using locally sourced ingredients. Thomas Harvey, owner, is putting his own little twist on menu items. He is filling a market on the premises with prepared foods, and local specialty meats, wines, and brews. The interior reflects the local commitment with a wine rack barrel from Falls Church Antiques among other finds. Harvey’s also features a patio and free parking.
Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschcurchchamber.org. MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 9
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PAGE 10 |MARCH 17 - 23, 2022
Falls Church School News & Notes
MHS College/Financial Aid Info Night
The Meridian College and Career Center and the HEFAR Group invite MHS parents to a Financial Aid/College Info Night at 7 p.m. on April 20. Learn how to qualify for more grants and scholarships for college. Lower your EFC and qualify for more free money for college at any school your student is considering. If your child is collegebound, you don’t want to miss this workshop.
Registration is required for this webinar. See March 10 edition of the Morning Announcements for more information.
5th Graders Interview Pro Soccer Player
5th graders at Oak Street Elementary work in groups to research a topic of interest, and the final culmination is the PYP Exhibition — a presentation to parents and peers.
In addition to team collaboration and project planning, they work with an FCCPS mentor who helps guide them through the process.
For their exhibition project, Mr. Jeremy Ferarra’s 5th-grade exhibition group hosted a Zoom interview with a professional soccer player, Imani Dorsey. Their topic is the pay gap between genders in sports and career, in which Imani is heavily involved. She plays for the NY/ NJ Gotham in the NWSL and has played for the USWNT.
Chemistry Class Field Trip to DEA Museum
This week, Meridian Chemistry students took a field trip to the Drug Enforcement Agency Museum. Mr. Marc Silver organized the field trip for his Chemistry II class as a culmination of Unit 5 Finger Printing, Unit 6 Drugs of Abuse, and the most recent investigation into the opioid crisis and the nationwide repercussions of this crisis. The DEA Museum provided three guest speakers specifically for the Meridian Students: a chemist, a fingerprint specialist, and a digital evidence specialist. Each presenter outlined their job description and details about their daily work schedule, including testifying in court and helping solve real-life federal investigations. They also highlighted that the DEA will be hiring all positions now and well into the future.
Softball Season Begins at MHS
There is a new energy on the softball diamond this season! This week, Meridian Softball started their regular season play with home games on Monday vs. Lewis and Thursday vs. Sidwell Friends. The Mustangs also traveled to Heritage in Leesburg on Tuesday.
Return to Locker Usage at Henderson
As Falls Church City Public Schools transition into the Spring and local Covid rates drop, students and staff at Henderson Middle School are excited to move back to some of their pre-pandemic routiness. The first big step back to normalcy is to return to locker usage.
Backpacks: As of Monday, March 21st, students will no longer bring their backpacks to class. They will be kept in lockers during the day. They take up much-needed space in classrooms and sometimes even pose a safety risk for students and teachers moving around the room.
Cell Phones: During the pandemic, students were allowed to carry and use their cell phones during lunch to help promote social interaction as they were still distanced within the building. With the shift back to normal, this is no longer need this tool to assist in making connections. Per the student handbook (located on page 5 of student’s agenda), cell phones should be off and in their locker. They recognize that two years of no locker usage has made this difficult. Now that the schools are moving back to locker usage, student’s cell phones will return to lockers. It’s time to reduce screen time and up to our social interactions.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
OVER THE WEEKEND students from Henderson Middle School put on their spring play of “HIgh School Musical Jr.,” based on the 2006 Disney film. The play took place in the Merdian High School auditorium, as well as streaming for those who could not make it in person. Students are pictured here during dress rehersal before their weekend performances. (Photo: Kieran Shakeshift)
Students Learn How To Express Emotions
Using Kimochis, Ms. Lisa Murphy provided a whole-class lesson on dealing with big emotions to Kindergarten students. Kimochi means “feeling” in Japanese. Each character has a special pocket where kids can store Kimochi’s feelings. Using the characters and feelings, kids can get in touch with their emotions in a fun and comfortable way through puppetry and play. Students shared: “I was nervous when my mom went on a trip.” “It made me feel brave when I had to get a shot. “When my friend moved away, it made me disappointed.” FCCPS thanks the FCEF for funding this program at Mt Daniel.
Fairfax Co. Public Schools Vaccines
Updated Statement From FCPS:
FCPS highly encourages all student athletes to be vaccinated for the spring athletic season. During the spring athletic season, student athletes who are unvaccinated will not be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing but will be required to follow all CDC protocols pertaining to isolation and quarantine for Covid positive persons and close contacts.
Students who are unvaccinated and exposed to the virus as close contacts or become positive will miss both their sporting activities and valuable learning time in the classroom as they will need to follow the protocols for quarantine and isolation as outlined by the CDC.
Please contact the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics at fcpssaap@fcps.edu with any questions.
MYP Personal Project Showcase
On Monday, Meridian sophomores held their MYP Personal Project showcase.
Each student pursued their passion with a purpose by working toward a learning goal and researching their topic of interest. Students participated in the self-directed inquiry by planning, taking action, and reflecting on the process.
Examples of topics include the history of Falls Church City, designing a costume, learning about family history, learning to play guitar, raising money for cancer research, and building a little library for the community.
Community Notice for IB Evaluations
Every five years, the International Baccalaureate Organization asks IB World Schools to undergo a self-study to examine the implementation of the offered IB programs. Falls Church elementary and secondary schools are slated to host IB evaluators to hold discussions with various stakeholders this year. These visits will be virtual using the Zoom platform and will occur March 21-23 (secondary campus) and March 28-30 (both elementary schools).
The self-study and the subsequent visits focus on the assessment of how well schools are aligned with the IB Programme Standards and Practices:
Selected groups of students, parents and administrators will be meeting virtually with the evaluation teams throughout the three days. Some classrooms will be visited and recorded in advance, while other classes will be viewed live with our remote visiting teams. Both visits will conclude with a community meeting immediately after the team has completed the sessions required in the review. More details can be found in Wednesday’s Morning Annoucements
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 11
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE, DESIGNATED RIDER E, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING NOVEMBER 1, 2022 CASE NO. PUR-2022-00006
•Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has filed a Petition with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) 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 for recovery in Rider E of a total revenue requirement of $101,233,000. According to Dominion, this amount would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.70.
•A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on July 12, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.
•An evidentiary hearing will be held on July 13, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling.
•Further information about this case is available on the Commission website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.
On January 25, 2022, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), 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, including 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 also proposes a new project at the Mt. Storm Power Station, the Bottom Ash Water Transport Project (“Mt. Storm Environmental Project”), which would replace the current discharge system for bottom ash transport water with a new system that would recirculate bottom ash transport water in a closed loop, separating the bottom ash for removal. According to the Company, the current discharge system is now prohibited by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines. The total estimated capital cost for the Mt. Storm Environmental Project is approximately $119.7 million, excluding financing costs.
In this proceeding, Dominion asks the Commission to approve Rider E for the rate year beginning November 1, 2022, and ending October 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”). The Company states that the three components of the revenue requirement are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor, the Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) Cost Recovery Factor, and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company requests a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $58,932,000, an AFUDC Cost Recovery Factor of $13,385,000, and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement of $28,915,000. Thus, the Company proposes a total revenue requirement of $101,233,000 for service rendered during the 2022 Rate Year.
For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion states that it utilizes a rate of return on common equity of 9.35% for the period subsequent to the Commission’s Final Order in Case No. PUR-2021-00058, which was issued on November 18, 2021 (“Triennial Review Final Order”), and an ROE of 9.2% for the period prior to the Triennial Review Final Order, consistent with the ROEs approved by the Commission in Case Nos. PUR-2019-00050 and PUR-2017-00038.
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.
Dominion proposes that revised Rider E be effective for usage on and after November 1, 2022. If the revised Rider E for the 2022 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, 2022, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.70.
Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Petition and supporting documents in full for details about 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 has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health issues related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs or other documents required to be served in this matter shall 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. 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) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery.
Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the 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.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Petition. On July 12, 2022, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing, with no witness present in the Commission’s courtroom, for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before July 8, 2022, 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 July 13, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, a hearing will be convened to receive testimony and evidence 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.
Electronic copies of the public version of the Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com.
On or before July 12, 2022, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition electronically by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2022-00006.
On or before April 26, 2022, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at: scc.virginia.gov/ clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company. Pursuant to 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 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2022-00006.
On or before May 24, 2022, each respondent may file electronically with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling 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. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, including, but not limited to: 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-2022-00006.
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 Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and the public version of the Petition and other documents filed in this case may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
