[[link removed]]
Dear Friend,
This week’s newsletter shares my recent statement on the State Corporation Commission’s ruling on the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed.
SCC Approves New Gas Plant in Chesterfield County
On Tuesday, the State Corporation Commission approved Dominion Energy’s permit for a new gas plant in Chesterfield County, in the heart of Senate District 15 which I represent, and subsequent rate hikes for Virginians. As highlighted in previous newsletters, I have stood with the Chesterfield NAACP, environmental and environmental justice groups, and fellow legislators against this proposed plant due to concerns about pollution-related impacts, carbon emissions, and conflicts with existing Virginia law, including the Virginia Clean Economy Act. My full statement is as follows:
“As a legislator who represents the area in which this gas peaker plant will be sited and who has been engaged in raising concerns about it for nearly two years, I have heard from those who live in this community as well as legislators from across the Commonwealth who understand not only what this decision means for the residents of Chesterfield County, but also the precedent it sets for Virginia.
“Rather than meeting Virginia’s commitments to transition to clean, renewable energy by 2050, this ruling by the State Corporation Commission takes Virginia backwards while also ignoring the Commonwealth’s policy on environmental justice, endangering the public health and safety of communities, and burdening families who are already financially strained with rate increases to cover the high costs of the plant.
“Cheaper, cleaner, and reliable alternatives exist and have been deployed across our state and nation to meet our ever-increasing energy needs. We must continue the Commonwealth’s investment in cleaner, more affordable solutions that advance environmental justice and meet Virginia’s energy needs.”
Select Community Engagements
[[link removed]]
On Tuesday, I joined Governor-elect Spanberger in participating in Governor Youngkin’s meeting of the Governor's Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (GACRE). As the Commonwealth continues to navigate considerable economic uncertainty triggered by primarily by the loss of tens of thousands of federal jobs for Virginians; the cuts to Medicaid, food assistance programs, and research dollars; tariffs that harm businesses and the Port of Virginia; and impacts on local farmers, the work of the next administration will be to develop strong and pragmatic state-level resilience to the damage triggered by this White House and GOP-controlled Congress.
[[link removed]]
On Tuesday, members of the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) met for our annual fall retreat. In addition to sharing our legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly Session and welcoming our newest member, Delegate-elect May Nivar, I was sworn in as an ex-officio member. Delegate-elect May Nivar has made history as the first Chinese American elected to the Virginia General Assembly. I look forward to continuing to work with the Caucus in my capacity as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
[[link removed]]
On Wednesday, I joined volunteers with ICNA Relief in Henrico County distributing meals to community members for the Thanksgiving holiday. I spoke with CBS 6 [[link removed]] about the importance of organizations such as ICNA Relief, which have provided invaluable support to families across Central Virginia in times of crisis when other support programs are not available.
Updated: Connecting With My Office
My office contact information has changed to reflect my position as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor-elect. Constituents can reach my team using the included contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804.698.7515
— Ghazala
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Email us: [email protected] [[email protected]]
This email was sent to [email protected]. Email is the most important way we keep in touch with people like you, so thank you for reading to the end.
Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
PO Box 72923
Richmond, VA 23235
United States
GhazalaHashmi.com [[link removed]]
unsubscribe: [link removed]
Paid for by Friends of Ghazala Hashmi