The newly elected Virginia and New Jersey governors both promised to lower electricity bills. Here’s how

Americans are facing significantly higher electricity bills this year, with energy prices increasing faster than overall inflation. This issue became a central theme in the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, where Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger both made lowering electricity costs a key campaign promise. Both candidates won their respective elections, signaling voter desire for action on rising expenses. In New Jersey, residents have seen a substantial 21% spike in electricity prices over the past year. Governor-elect Sherrill plans to address this by declaring a "state of emergency on utility costs," freezing rates, and promoting cleaner, cheaper power sources. She also intends to push for greater transparency from utility companies and explore new nuclear energy capacity. Virginia, home to a massive data center market, has experienced a more modest but still notable 6.7% increase in electricity prices. Governor-elect Spanberger's "Affordable Virginia Plan" prioritizes energy bill reduction by supporting local electricity generation, including offshore wind and solar projects with battery storage. Her plan also encourages the development of diverse energy sources like nuclear, geothermal, fusion, and hydrogen. Spanberger specifically aims to ensure data centers contribute their fair share to the increased electricity demand they create. While Dominion Energy disputes this, attributing rising costs to inflation, Spanberger suggests legislative action might be necessary if necessary to ensure large energy consumers pay appropriately. The election outcomes suggest voters are looking for leaders who will actively tackle the escalating cost of living.