What Virginians Are Seeing: Governor Spanberger Tackles High Energy Costs, Appoints Chief Energy Officer

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger yesterday took decisive action to address Virginians' concerns about rising energy costs, signing an executive order creating Virginia's first cabinet-level Chief Energy Officer focused on making sure Virginians have access to affordable, reliable energy.

Josephus Allmond - an attorney with extensive experience in Virginia's energy industry - will serve in the role. Allmond will support Governor Spanberger's mission to address rising energy costs while working to meet the Commonwealth's long-term energy needs.

Read below for coverage from across the Commonwealth of Governor Spanberger's focus on tackling high energy costs:

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Richmond Times-Dispatch: Spanberger creates 'chief energy officer' role and fills job

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has named a Charlottesville-based environmental lawyer as the first "chief energy officer," a new cabinet-level job that she created by executive order on Wednesday.

"It is critical to make sure families and businesses have access to affordable, reliable energy so that Virginia businesses can stay competitive, while also meeting our long-term clean energy goals," she said.

CBS6 [Richmond]: Gov. Spanberger creates Chief Energy Officer position focused on 'tackling high energy costs'

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Wednesday that she's creating a new position in her cabinet focused on "tackling high energy costs."

The Chief Energy Officer position was established by an executive order, which states the position will "navigate energy challenges across state government and take action to reduce energy bills for Virginians while also ensuring energy reliability and making progress towards clean energy goals."

WAVY [Norfolk]: Spanberger creates chief energy officer position, appoints Charlottesville attorney

The governor's office announced on Wednesday, March 25, the appointment of Josephus Allmond, an attorney and advocate with experience in energy and environmental justice, to the chief energy officer position. The role was created via an executive order to combat "myriad challenges across the electricity sector" in Virginia, including a 36% rise in electricity rates over the past five years.

Per the executive order, the chief energy officer will work to keep energy affordable and ensure the commonwealth meets long-term clean energy goals through cooperation with other secretariats and departments. Other responsibilities include developing a statewide energy strategy, working with utility providers to address rising energy costs and bringing in investments into Virginia.

WJLA [Washington, DC]: Spanberger appoints Virginia's first Chief Energy Officer to tackle rising power costs

Spanberger appointed Josephus Allmond, a former Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) attorney, to the new role. Allmond is an expert in utility regulation and has litigated dozens of cases before the State Corporation Commission.

"It is critical to make sure families and businesses have access to affordable, reliable energy," said Spanberger.

Allmond added that his priority is making Virginia's energy future "sustainable, predictable, and affordable."

WFXR [Roanoke]: New office created to address Virginia's rising energy costs

Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed an executive order, creating a new office focused on the rising cost of energy and its impact on Virginia families.

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"Today, I am taking decisive action to respond to the concerns I hear from Virginians about the high cost of energy," said Governor Spanberger. "It is critical to make sure families and businesses have access to affordable, reliable energy so that Virginia businesses can stay competitive, while also meeting our long-term clean energy goals."

WSLS [Roanoke]: Governor Spanberger announces new cabinet-level Chief Energy officer

In this new role, Allmond will help promote access to affordable, reliable energy across the commonwealth. He will collaborate with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Virginia Department of Energy, PJM Interconnection, and energy utility providers to address rising energy costs, expand clean energy generation in Virginia, and develop a statewide energy strategy.

Virginia Mercury: Spanberger creates new cabinet position, appoints SELC's Josephus Allmond chief energy officer

Allmond will work with the state secretary of commerce and trade, the Virginia Department Energy, grid operator PJM Interconnection and utility companies to address the sharp rise in energy costs.

"Throughout his career, Mr. Allmond has gained extensive experience in Virginia's energy industry - through litigating numerous regulatory cases and successfully advocating for legislation to bring Virginia into our energy future," Spanberger said.

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