VA utility monopoly funds dishonest attack ads against GOP | Eastern NC Now

Dominion Energy is Virginia's state regulated electric utility monopoly, and its pro-Democrat politics has just sunk to a new low.  Dominion has been caught funding dishonest ads aimed at suppression GOP turnout in the upcoming governor's race.

Dominion provided $200,000 to an obscure Democrat controlled PAC that has been running ads, largely on Facebook that purport to attack GOP candidate Glenn Youngkin from the right, falsely accusing him of being weak on gun rights. The aim of the ads is to suppress the vote of those who back gun rights.

US Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has called out both Dominion and Facebook on the ads, and raised the question if Democrat gubenatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe has promised Dominion an electric rate increase to motivate them to fund the ads.  He also questioned Facebook's claim to oppose voter suppression when they allowed those ads to run.

Cotton also warned Dominion of "consequences" for their ads if the GOP retakes Congressional majorities.

https://redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2021/10/18/tom-cotton-gets-results-after-calling-out-mcauliffe-ally-dominion-energys-funding-of-voter-suppression-pac-n459061

Why are state regulated utility monopolies allowed to contribute in politics in the first place?  That seems a recipe for corruption.  Maybe that is a consequence for Dominion and others like them such as Duke Energy in NC.  Even better would be to to open up the electricity market to competition and stop the stinking and corrupt monopoly arrangement.