Beyond the ordinary

“As we move Virginia into our energy future, we are working to make sure that our energy grid remains the reliable backbone of our economy, not a burden on Virginia ratepayers,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “PJM must continue to collaborate with the Commonwealth to keep affordability at the forefront and deliver the lowest possible electricity rates for Virginians through the pursuit of innovation.”

In the letter, Governor Spanberger called on PJM to protect Virginia ratepayers by:

• Ensuring Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share: PJM’s current reliability strain stems primarily from rapid data center expansion. The letter calls on PJM to make sure data centers are paying for new capacity costs while accounting for different utility models across states, including in Virginia where the SCC has developed a new rate class for data centers.
• Advocating for Homegrown Clean Energy: PJM should take a technology-neutral approach that will include any resources that can help keep the grid reliable. By keeping all options on the table, these new power generation tools will help communities reduce or shift their energy use.
• Protect Ratepayers from Stranded Costs: PJM should put in place robust safeguards so everyday customers do not end up paying extra if these large energy users fail to cover their own costs or if PJM buys more power than needed, which will help keep costs from rising.