Virginia Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond

09/28/2026

Last week, I wrote a letter in support of RVA Solar 2050, and I’m encouraged that Richmond City Council is considering the plan this evening.

This project will deliver cleaner and more affordable power to Richmond’s facilities.

09/18/2026

Today, I was proud to join Governor Spanberger in announcing her Data Center Accountability Framework — the nation’s most comprehensive and aggressive standards for data center accountability.

The Framework sets a clear path for responsible growth: greater transparency, meaningful community engagement, strong environmental protections, commitments to clean energy, and safeguards to protect Virginians from higher energy bills.

These standards ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of Virginians’ energy affordability, quality of life, or natural resources.

Learn more: https://energychief.virginia.gov/datacenters

09/14/2026

Last Thursday, I was grateful to join Del. Bonita Anthony in Norfolk to hear directly from constituents about rising energy costs. Virginia’s energy future is strongest when it is shaped by the people we serve.

08/24/2026

Real savings and real results for Virginians ☀️

You may have already heard about Switch Together - the group buying program for solar and battery storage that makes going solar easier and more accessible for households. Switch Together is offered in partnership with nonprofits and local governments to help househoulds access solar education, solar discounts, and vetted installers. Virginia is proud to be the first state to adopt the program statewide. Many Virginians have already benefitted from the program. To date, hundreds of Virginians have accepted a Switch Together offer and counting!

Interested in learning more about Switch Together? Visit: bit.ly/SwitchTogetherGovVirginia

08/12/2026

More Virginians are choosing solar to take greater control of their energy bills and build a cleaner, more resilient future. I’m proud that Virginia is the first state in the nation to expand community purchasing statewide, making solar more accessible and affordable for residents.

Fairfax County is leading solar panel installations and signups from a solar program backed by Virginia’s governor as homeowners look for ways to address rising electricity costs. Switch Together, a bulk purchasing initiative to connect residents to solar installers, was recently expanded from Nor...

08/11/2026

Curious about going solar?

Virginia is the first state to offer Switch Together statewide. Switch Together is a group buying program for solar and battery storage, designed to make going solar more affordable and accessible for everyone. Before registering, you can answer a few quick questions to find out if your home is suitable for solar. If you choose to register, you will receive a free, no-obligation solar recommendation tailored to your house. Through the program, the average household is expected to save an average of $6,300 on a solar installation.

Ready to let the sun pay your electricity bills? Visit the Virginia Switch Together page to find out if your roof is suitable for solar 🔆

bit.ly/SwitchTogetherGovVirginia

Switch Together US Solar United Neighbors

08/11/2026

Today is August 11 and it’s the perfect reminder: Call 811 before you dig! Whether it’s a big project or a new backyard fence, contacting 811 helps keep our underground utility lines and our neighbors healthy and safe.

Learn more about digging with care at va811.com.

08/07/2026

I have serious questions about what this deal would mean, and I intend to get answers.

08/07/2026

Nuclear energy produces a third of Virginia's electricity and a majority of its carbon-free power. Training the people who will run the next generation of reactors requires hands on real control-room systems.

The Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank has invested in simulator infrastructure at four Virginia universities:

George Mason University — the first Nuscale SMR simulator on the East Coast and the largest NuScale E2 Center in the country, sited near the world's highest concentration of data centers.

The University of Virginia's College at Wise — a matching SMR Operations and Control Simulation Lab that brings the same training to Southwest Virginia.

Virginia Commonwealth University — a generic PWR simulator modeled on North Anna and Surry. VCEIB-funded upgrades will nearly double student capacity and lay the groundwork for a fusion energy systems simulator, positioning VCU as a workforce partner as Commonwealth Fusion Systems builds the world's first commercial fusion power plant in Chesterfield County.

Virginia Tech — the world's first TerraPower Natrium operations simulator, a digital twin of a sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten-salt storage. Phase 1 is planned for December 2026.

Add Dominion Energy's full-scope simulators at North Anna and Surry and the Navy's propulsion trainers at Naval Station Norfolk, and Virginia has a training network that spans light-water reactors, advanced fission, and a pathway to fusion.

Students and operators trained here can build experience across light-water SMRs, a commercial PWR, and a sodium-cooled fast reactor rather than a single platform. It's this kind of breadth and investment that makes Virginia a serious destination for advanced nuclear and fusion projects.

Learn more at:https://www.energy.virginia.gov/renewable-energy/documents/VCEIB/VCEIB%20Virginia%20Nuclear%20Simulator%20Capabilities%20Overview%20FINAL.pdf

08/07/2026

Happy Sales Tax Holiday, Virginia!

If you’re considering an appliance upgrade, this weekend is a great time to buy. From August 7–9, eligible ENERGY STAR® and WaterSense® products are exempt from sales tax — up to $2,500 per item. Choosing efficient appliances and fixtures can help reduce water and electricity use and lower monthly utility bills.

Learn more at tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday.

Virginia Department of Taxation Virginia Department of Energy