Virginia Governor Spanberger releases energy plan to meet clean energy goals

(Richmond, Virginia – October 1, 2026) Today, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger released an energy plan which demonstrates the administration’s priorities and pathways to meeting Virginia’s clean energy goals and forecasted power demand growth. To produce the plan, the state analyzed multiple different pathways to meet demand, with each pathway scaling clean, affordable energy and reducing climate and health-harming air pollution. However, the plan makes clear that as demand grows, difficult choices remain ahead to ensure affordable, reliable energy and clean, healthy air for Virginia. The plan also reiterates the importance of the Data Center Accountability Framework. 

"Even as demand for electricity continues to grow, Virginia remains committed to an affordable, clean and sustainable pathway to meet that demand," said Emily Steinhilber, Virginia State Director, Environmental Defense Fund. 

"We look forward to working with Governor Spanberger and her administration as they implement this plan to ensure Virginians have access to clean, affordable and reliable power." 

The release of the energy plan comes two weeks after Governor Spanberger released the most comprehensive data center accountability standards in the nation, which included clean energy and community protection requirements for new data center construction. Data centers are driving nearly all of the demand growth projected in Virginia.