Dominion Virginia Power Still Aims to Transfer Power Plants.

Byline: Greg Edwards

Jan. 22--Dominion Virginia Power has taken the first step toward appealing the State Corporation Commission's denial of the utility's request to rid itself of its power plants.

Virginia Power gave formal notice late last week that preserves its option to appeal the SCC's decision and sets the appeals process in motion.

In December, the SCC turned down Virginia Power's request to transfer ownership of its power plants to a subsidiary of Dominion Resources Inc., its Richmond-based parent company. The state's deregulation law, which took effect Jan. 1, requires utilities to reorganize themselves so they don't favor their own power …