Governors Urge PJM to Ensure Energy Affordability and Reliability

Spanberger joins letter calling for data centers to pay fair share for power use and infrastructure

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:26pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an electrical substation or power grid infrastructure, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the future of the state's energy landscape.The governors' letter to PJM calls for ensuring energy affordability and reliability as Virginia's power grid faces new demands.Charlottesville Today

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger joined six other governors and the Mayor of Washington, D.C. in sending a letter to the regional electric grid operator PJM Interconnection. The letter urged PJM to ensure energy affordability and reliability, including by requiring data centers to pay their fair share for the energy and infrastructure they use.

Why it matters

As Virginia transitions to a new energy future, ensuring the reliability and affordability of the electric grid is crucial for the state's economy. The letter to PJM aims to keep electricity rates low for Virginia ratepayers while also addressing concerns that data centers may not be paying their fair share.

The details

The letter sent to PJM leadership outlined a 'consumers first framework' for the organization's new reliability backstop auction. The governors reiterated that regional grid operators were established to promote efficiency in wholesale electricity markets and ensure consumers pay the lowest possible price for reliable service. The letter called for PJM to collaborate with states like Virginia to keep affordability a top priority and deliver the lowest electricity rates through innovation.

  • The letter was sent to PJM Interconnection leadership on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic Governor of Virginia.

Muriel Bowser

The Mayor of Washington, D.C.

PJM Interconnection

A regional transmission organization that coordinates and controls the electric grid in multiple states, including Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“The Governors reiterated that regional grid operators were established to 'promote efficiency in wholesale electricity markets and to ensure that electricity consumers pay the lowest price possible for reliable service'.”

— Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia

What’s next

The letter calls on PJM to collaborate with states like Virginia to keep affordability a top priority and deliver the lowest possible electricity rates through innovation.

The takeaway

This letter from Spanberger and other governors underscores the importance of ensuring energy affordability and reliability as Virginia transitions to a new energy future. It also highlights ongoing tensions around data centers and their impact on the electric grid.