Richmond, Virginia – Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, has unveiled a comprehensive energy platform designed to position the state as a leader in renewable energy while addressing its escalating power demands, particularly from data centers. Her strategy, outlined ahead of the November 4 election against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, emphasizes a balanced approach that integrates robust renewable development with the continued, strategic use of natural gas.

Spanberger, a former Congresswoman for Virginia's 7th Congressional District, asserts that her years on Capitol Hill have informed her view of climate change as both a challenge and an economic opportunity for Virginia. She aims to make the state a "dominant" player in the renewable energy sector, advocating for policies that foster local generation and energy conservation. A key component of her plan involves requiring energy-intensive data centers, which are projected to triple Virginia’s electricity needs from approximately 10,000 gigawatt-hours in 2023 to over 30,000 gigawatt-hours within 15 years, to contribute to electrical grid upgrades.

The candidate’s energy game plan, detailed in recent interviews and policy statements, focuses on six priorities to avert a potential energy crisis. She advocates for increased solar project development, including exploring sites on formerly mined land and rooftops, noting that while solar approvals boomed post-2014, concerns over farmland protection have recently halved approval rates. Spanberger also strongly supports Dominion Energy’s $10.7 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, expected to generate 2.6 gigawatts for over 2.5 million households, despite recent federal permitting delays under the Trump administration.

Acknowledging the current energy landscape, Spanberger stated, "At this juncture, natural gas is going to be part of the energy mix into the future." However, she stressed the need for careful consideration regarding new natural gas infrastructure, focusing on project lifespans and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, she champions the development of an energy storage industry within Virginia, recognizing its potential for job creation and its critical role in ensuring grid reliability given the intermittent nature of wind and solar power. "Expanding the type of generation and source of generation that we have in Virginia also meets that goal of contending with rising prices," Spanberger added. Her plan also calls for collaborative efforts with other governors to address PJM Interconnection’s grid expansion delays, a concern echoed by a bipartisan group of nine governors.

This strategy underscores Spanberger's intent to navigate Virginia's complex energy future by balancing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and grid resilience, particularly as the state grapples with unprecedented data center expansion.