Governor Abigail Spanberger released a new energy plan laying out pathways for Virginia to reach a net-zero power system by 2050 while maintaining affordable and reliable energy for households and businesses.
The 2026 Virginia Energy Plan draws on more than 3,000 public survey responses, six regional meetings, a town hall, and 20 industry-specific listening sessions, paired with sophisticated energy-system modeling. The approach evaluated multiple demand scenarios and policy options, showing Virginia has multiple credible pathways to decarbonization.
"Energy should be reliable, with enough power to support Virginia's growth. It should be clean and built in a way that protects the health of our communities and the natural resources around us. It should be local, so the jobs and benefits of our energy growth stay here in Virginia. And it must be affordable," Spanberger said.
The plan recommends accelerating deployment of the lowest-cost and cleanest energy solutions, aligning utility incentives with affordability, developing clean firm resources for critical infrastructure, reducing emissions from gas infrastructure, advancing clean transportation, and building a workforce and supply chain for Virginia's energy economy.
Virginia updates its energy plan every four years by state law. While the plan does not set utility rates or approve specific projects, it guides policies and investments that inform decisions through legislative, regulatory and local processes.