Affordable Energy
The Problem
Energy costs are on the rise and have grown to be a top affordability concern across the country, but especially in Virginia. Since 2021, energy prices in Virginia have risen by 30% this is due not only to continued investment in fossil fuels but also to the record number of data centers housed in Virginia. As the price of fossil fuels continues to rise, utility bills will also skyrocket if providers like Dominion don’t invest in alternative energy sources. Since 2023, energy demand from data centers has reached new highs, and there is a clear strain on Virginians’ wallets as a result, with households paying $40-50 more in monthly utility bills. No one should have to pay the cost to satisfy some of the world’s richest corporations, and families shouldn’t be forced to settle for increasingly expensive sources of energy.
The Solution
Virginia can invest in solar as a clean energy alternative to help lower energy costs. During the 2026 legislative session, some progress was made toward investing in solar. There is, however, more that can be done. Solar is currently the cheapest form of energy generation, and when paired with battery storage, it is an endless, free, and clean source of cheap power for ratepayers. Virginia is facing an energy crisis like so many other states, and it’s time to move away from expensive fossil fuels and adopt clean, renewable sources like solar to lower energy costs across the board.
