US EditionGov. Spanberger Creates Chief Energy Officer Position Focused on 'Tackling High Energy Costs'
Governor Spanberger appointed Josephus Allmond as Chief Energy Officer to reduce bills, ensure grid reliability, and expand clean energy in Virginia, targeting high-energy user rate impacts.
- On Wednesday, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 14, establishing a cabinet-level Chief Energy Officer to address high utility bills in Virginia, and appointed Josephus Allmond, a former Southern Environmental Law Center attorney, to the position.
- Rising utility costs prompted the creation of this role, which aims to balance affordability with reliability; Governor Spanberger described the initiative as a decisive response to concerns from Virginians about high energy costs throughout the Commonwealth.
- To lower electric rates, Allmond will collaborate with the State Corporation Commission and PJM Interconnection, prioritizing grid stability and ensuring high-energy users like data centers do not disproportionately drive up bills for residential ratepayers.
- Allmond stated his priority is making Virginia's energy future "sustainable, predictable, and affordable," while coordinating with Social Services and Housing to maximize participation in utility assistance programs for struggling families.
- Beyond immediate rate relief, the initiative includes expanding clean energy generation such as wind and solar, with Allmond working with the General Assembly to pass legislation addressing growing energy demand and long-term power needs.
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Headlines from across the state: Spanberger creates new cabinet position, appoints SELC’s Josephus Allmond chief energy officer; more …
Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Virginia. Some content may be behind a metered paywall: Politics: Spanberger creates new cabinet position, appoints SELC’s Josephus Allmond chief energy officer. — Virginia Mercury. Spanberger orders no late purge of voter rolls. — Richmond Times-Dispatch (paywall). Partisan brawl in Virginia may be “a flashing red light for Democrats.” — The Washington Post (paywall). Business: J…
VA Gov Spanberger Imposes Backdoor Carbon Tax – As she appoints Chief Energy Officer who believes ‘climate change is the most pressing issue for our generation’
Virginia’s newly-appointed Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond: “…I’ve felt strongly that climate change is the most pressing issue for our generation.” Unsurprisingly, we are getting a Net-Zero Czar. So much for affordability… https://t.co/homOklivtE — Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) March 25, 2026 https://atr.org/governor-spanberger-rejoins-rggis-backdoor-carbon-tax-raising-electricity-prices/ By Jack Baum Excerpt: Virginia taxpayers just…
Virginia Mercury
Royal ExaminerSpanberger creates new cabinet position, appoints SELC’s Josephus Allmond chief energy officer
Josephus Allmond was appointed as the state's chief energy officer, a new cabinet position created via executive order by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on March 25, 2026. (Photo courtesy the office of the governor)Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed an executive order creating the cabinet position of chief energy officer and has appointed Josephus Allmond, a Charlottesville-based staff attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, to the…
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