Virginia state regulators hold a hearing today to determine if NextEra Energy must release a sensitive internal document called the Robo Memo. The document allegedly details illicit political activities by NextEra subsidiary Florida Power & Light.
The memo reportedly describes the use of dark money to fund ghost candidates and interfere in elections. These allegations previously triggered a $150 million settlement to resolve a shareholder lawsuit.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission is reviewing the document as part of NextEra’s proposed $67 billion merger with Dominion Energy. Advocacy group Clean Virginia argues the memo is relevant to NextEra’s fitness to manage the state’s largest utility.
NextEra continues to resist the disclosure, claiming the document is irrelevant to the proceedings. Virginia’s attorney general and state lawmakers are also scrutinizing the high-stakes acquisition.