Voters called for energy affordability in 2025, new leaders are already delivering

TO: Interested Parties

FR: Bill Holland, LCV Vice President of State Policy and Advocacy 

RE: Voters called for energy affordability in 2025, new leaders are already delivering

Newly elected governors and utility commissioners took immediate action in their first few days to deliver on campaign promises to lower energy costs, build more clean energy, and take on big energy users raising rates. 

Sherrill freezes rates on Day 1

Before she even finished her inaugural speech on Tuesday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order giving ratepayers in New Jersey a rebate for any utility increases so they do not pay higher rates. She immediately followed that with a second order that told the state’s utility board to seek out new solar power opportunities to increase the amount of clean low cost in-state energy. “I promised the people of New Jersey bold action to lower utility costs and, today, I’m delivering. Trenton will no longer accept the status quo and kick the can down the road while New Jersey families pay higher bills — not on my watch,” said Governor Sherrill.

These immediate orders delivered on her campaign commitments to tackle high utility bills, declare a state of emergency on rising costs, freeze utility rates, and expand clean energy. She won her election on this platform by over 14 points following early support from New Jersey LCV Victory Fund who invested over $1.8 million in the race.

Spanberger immediately rejoins RGGI

In her first major address as Governor, Abigail Spanberger made good on her promise for Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, reversing Governor Youngkin’s moves to pull out of the regional pact. RGGI will once again bring in millions for low income energy efficiency programs, flood preparedness, and clean energy projects for Virginians. With new majorities, Governor Spanberger along with legislators laid out an expansive legislative agenda to bring down energy rates, increase in-state clean energy, and rein in data center costs to lower bills for everyday people.

Gov. Spanberger won the governor’s race last November on a campaign committed to addressing high energy costs and reducing emissions. LCV’s state affiliate in Virginia VALCV-PAC, invested over $1.6 million, the largest outside investment in the gubernatorial race, knocking on over 210,000 doors to highlight Spanberger’s plans to lower energy costs and speed up clean energy projects. Along with her promise to bring down energy costs and rejoin RGGI, Spanberger vowed to ensure power-hungry data centers pay their fair share of energy costs.

PSC elections force Georgia Power to respond with promises for lower rates

In Georgia, for the first time in 20 years, voters elected two Democrats – Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard – to the state’s Public Service Commission. They ran explicitly to address high utility costs by expanding clean energy and taking on the state’s utilities to fight rate increases. Our state affiliate GCV Action Fund spent over $2.2 million, their largest investment ever, to help elect both candidates.

Before the commissioners were even sworn into office, Georgia Power, the state’s largest utility, announced it would focus on rate relief for customers in 2026. No doubt, the Public Service Commission will need to hold utilities accountable to their words, but this is a clear sign they are already feeling the pressure and the public’s calls for action won’t be ignored. 

New leaders deliver

These rapid, immediate actions to address costs follow the clear message from voters last November. They supported clean energy champions who were ready to address high energy costs and build more clean affordable energy. With overwhelming results in key races like Virginia and New Jersey Gubernatorial elections and Georgia’s Public Service Commission, voters rejected the Trump Administration’s policies that ban clean energy and prop up dirtier, more expensive sources. 

In just their first days in office we are already seeing new leaders deliver on election promises for real action to lower bills, build more clean energy, and take on utilities raising rates.