Virginia’s Gov. Spanberger Targets Energy Costs as Power Demand Surges

Jan. 21, 2026 – In her inaugural address Saturday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said that energy affordability would be a central focus of her administration, warning that rising costs are placing increasing pressure on Virginian households and businesses across the Commonwealth.

Spanberger’s emphasis comes as the Commonwealth faces rapidly growing electricity demand driven by data centers that support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and broadband-enabled services, particularly in Northern Virginia, home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers.

“Virginians are paying far too much to heat and cool their homes,” Spanberger said in her address to the General Assembly, adding that while global energy markets are outside the state’s control, policymakers must take steps to lower monthly utility bills.