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Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows

Average bills hit $178 in Richmond as rising costs and AI demand fuel political tension.

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Most Richmonders are paying about 36% more for their home electric bills than they were four years ago, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/electric-bills-map" data-vars-content-id="0c1a32c5-841c-43db-bee7-0403f73c6f59" data-vars-headline="Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/electric-bills-map" target="_self">Axios analysis</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="0c1a32c5-841c-43db-bee7-0403f73c6f59" data-vars-headline="Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">data</a> collected and shared by climate newsroom Heatmap News.Why it matters: Tensions over rising energy bills and power-hungry AI data centers are emerging as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="key political issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" data-vars-content-id="0c1a32c5-841c-43db-bee7-0403f73c6f59" data-vars-headline="Richmond electric bills up 36% since 2022, new data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" target="_self">key political issue</a>, and they should be a potent force in this year&#x27;s midterms.

Shockoe Institute opens, confronting Richmond's role in slavery

How its exhibit begins: "American racial slavery began in Virginia. Richmond played a central role in its expansion."

One of the first messages visitors will see inside the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Institute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/07/shockoe-slave-trade-history-center" data-vars-content-id="4587d483-1ff5-4928-8783-4e756df83cfb" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Institute opens, confronting Richmond&#x27;s role in slavery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/07/shockoe-slave-trade-history-center" target="_self">Shockoe Institute</a> is a blunt, unflinching introduction to a history the city has long struggled to confront:<ul><li>&quot;American racial slavery began in Virginia. Richmond played a central role in its expansion.&quot;</li></ul><figure><img alt="Exhibition gallery with tall white panels bearing bold maroon text about hierarchy and racial slavery; maroon wall on left with white text; track lighting, curved white line on dark floor." height="4284" id="6af4fbc5-5c2f-48a8-8762-6e085e1fc64b" src="https://images.axios.com/uXrH_YlAZ1Omlb-O1IhyDH3fTg4=/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg" width="5712" srcset="https://images.axios.com/LwIdbm5oY7DHIsojoPJSJeSjtmI=/0x0:5712x4284/1920x1440/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/-Nm35MiE3_PmeavW19uL5QSsREI=/0x0:5712x4284/1600x1200/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/ZvlLWvLRDiF5LoHKkRi3VVOGzdY=/0x0:5712x4284/1366x1024/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/3qWT8-A8ZUjZ1ERUyXw-3gkWB98=/0x0:5712x4284/1024x768/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/uB4iplTZCTL_46sihpgkatfdQbU=/0x0:5712x4284/768x576/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/EKfTzWev4QfJ1eKCIME8FqUkElw=/0x0:5712x4284/640x480/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/WJ3UEx59v6PKnCydK8N8ENRYtl0=/0x0:5712x4284/320x240/2026/04/09/1775762471390.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Some of the first words you see upon entering the exhibit. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios</figcaption></figure>State of play: The 12,000-square-foot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="institute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.shockoeinstitute.org/" data-vars-content-id="4587d483-1ff5-4928-8783-4e756df83cfb" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Institute opens, confronting Richmond&#x27;s role in slavery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.shockoeinstitute.org/" target="_blank">institute</a>, housed within Main Street Station, is the first major piece of Richmond&#x27;s $265 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/02/29/richnmond-bfd-shockoe-project-slavery-museum" data-vars-content-id="4587d483-1ff5-4928-8783-4e756df83cfb" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Institute opens, confronting Richmond&#x27;s role in slavery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/02/29/richnmond-bfd-shockoe-project-slavery-museum" target="_self">Shockoe Project</a> — a sweeping, decades-in-the-making plan to memorialize the city&#x27;s part in the slave trade.

Top takeaways from Youngkin's Hannity interview

The former governor talked future plans, Trump ties and his Richmond election strategy.

Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin chatted with Sean Hannity about his time in office and future plans in an interview that aired this week. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the brief Richmonder&#x27;s first big interview since leaving office in January.

Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills

Her amendments reshape major policies, from raising gun age limits to delaying marijuana sales.

Gov. Spanberger proposed changes to more than 100 bills in her first review process, from marijuana sales and paid sick leave to unions and guns.Why it matters: Even with full Democratic control of the statehouse, the moves suggest the former Congresswoman is governing like a legislator. Zoom in: Here are some of Spanberger&#x27;s noteworthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116400-en.html" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116400-en.html" target="_blank">amendments</a>.GunsThe governor proposed slight changes to a slew of gun legislation, including: <ul><li>A ban on assault weapons bought or sold after July 1, to allow some semi-automatic shotguns used for hunting </li><li>On universal background checks, she added that private sales are included and upped the minimum purchase age for handguns and some semi-automatic firearms from 18 to 21.</li><li>She also added a clause for background checks to resume as soon as state legislators sign off. </li></ul>Cannabis market On the legislation creating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s recreational marijuana marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" target="_self">state&#x27;s recreational marijuana marketplace</a>, the governor proposed pushing the start of sales from January 1 to July 1, 2027. <ul><li>Plus, she wants to reduce the number of stores allowed in the state, increase the tax rate and allow more people to qualify for &quot;impact licenses,&quot; including veterans and the economically disadvantaged. </li></ul>Marijuana sentence reductions Spanberger proposed a petition process for people previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses. The original bill required an automatic hearing. Paid family leaveThe governor proposed eligibility limits and other restrictions to legislation that would allow Virginia workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves or a family member. <ul><li>She wants to narrow the definition of family to mean household and relatives as opposed to a &quot;close association.&quot;</li><li>Changes also require eligible employees to be legally authorized to work in the U.S., and employed for at least 120 days to get job protection. </li></ul>Paid sick leave Proposed changes to the bill that would allow one hour of sick leave to every 30 hours worked include requiring advance notice for foreseeable leave and written or electronic leave requests.Unions Spanberger proposed delaying the start of a collective bargaining resource board by two years. The board is designed to help state and local government employees, plus home health workers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unionize" data-vars-click-url="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB378" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB378" target="_blank">unionize</a>. ICE enforcementOn legislation limiting where ICE agents can make arrests without a warrant, she proposed stripping the enforcement portion of the bill. <ul><li>And on one barring ICE and other law enforcement from wearing masks, she amended the language to allow individual departments to set their own policies. </li></ul>The intrigue: Some statehouse Democrats pushed back on the governor&#x27;s proposed changes to their legislation.<ul><li>Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek, who sponsored the legislation creating the state&#x27;s retail marijuana market, said in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a joint statement" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/lashrecseaird/status/2044127374468399260/photo/1" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/lashrecseaird/status/2044127374468399260/photo/1" target="_blank">a joint statement</a> that the governor&#x27;s revision will make the legal market harder to access and allow the illicit market to thrive.</li><li>Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed concern" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/salimforva/status/2044061552320409626/photo/1" data-vars-content-id="0c74f3f1-1aae-44b7-aeea-97afb39fce6e" data-vars-headline="Spanberger proposes broad changes to major Virginia bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/salimforva/status/2044061552320409626/photo/1" target="_blank">expressed concern</a> over changes to his bills attempting to rein in ICE enforcement in the state.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: The General Assembly will consider her amendments when it reconvenes on April 22.

Gilpin residents demand eviction pause as redevelopment lags

Gilpin Court residents say key protections still aren't in place months after a major deal.

It&#x27;s been over three months since Mayor Avula and RRHA struck a deal to work together on redeveloping Gilpin Court, the city&#x27;s largest public housing complex.Why it matters: Officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hailed it" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements/news/mayor-avula-welcomes-rrhas-approval-joint-governance" data-vars-content-id="867482ff-da03-4197-842a-7556187182cf" data-vars-headline="Gilpin residents demand eviction pause as redevelopment lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements/news/mayor-avula-welcomes-rrhas-approval-joint-governance" target="_blank">hailed it</a> as a move that put residents first. Residents say they&#x27;re still waiting to see what&#x27;s actually changed.

Mayor Avula calls Diamond District "pretty good bet" despite risk

The mayor says Richmond took on more risk than he would've preferred, but he still would've made the investment.

Richmond tapped its reserves to help cover a key <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Diamond District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/27/carmax-park-flying-squirrels-funding-fight" data-vars-content-id="aacf1450-06f7-4966-8da2-0251f5f7b80b" data-vars-headline="Mayor Avula calls Diamond District &quot;pretty good bet&quot; despite risk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/27/carmax-park-flying-squirrels-funding-fight" target="_self">Diamond District</a> land purchase because &quot;there wasn&#x27;t really a plan&quot; to pay for it, Mayor Danny Avula told Axios.Why it matters: With nearly $130 million in bonds ultimately backed by taxpayers, dipping into the city&#x27;s emergency funds has shown how closely public finances are tied to the Diamond District&#x27;s success.

Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as "neighborhood nightmare"

The campaign led by a former city councilman was blasted as "peak NIMBYism" by former Mayor Stoney.

A group led by a fiery former city councilman has launched a billboard campaign opposing Richmond&#x27;s sweeping zoning rewrite called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Code Refresh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" data-vars-content-id="a170aada-e594-4945-8f00-5faff0f220dd" data-vars-headline="Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as &quot;neighborhood nightmare&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" target="_self">Code Refresh</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s already prompted a response from former Mayor Stoney, who called it &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="peak NIMBYism" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/LevarStoney/status/2011299466440261672?s=20" data-vars-content-id="a170aada-e594-4945-8f00-5faff0f220dd" data-vars-headline="Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as &quot;neighborhood nightmare&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/LevarStoney/status/2011299466440261672?s=20" target="_blank">peak NIMBYism</a>,&quot; shorthand for &quot;Not in My Backyard.&quot;

What to know about the VCU–Flying Squirrels fight over CarMax Park

The impasse could ultimately leave Richmond taxpayers on the hook.

VCU and the Flying Squirrels have hit an impasse in the negotiations over whether VCU&#x27;s baseball team will play at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CarMax Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/18/carmax-park-final-beam" data-vars-content-id="54050593-f3b1-4d88-860f-755fa4919a7b" data-vars-headline="What to know about the VCU–Flying Squirrels fight over CarMax Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/18/carmax-park-final-beam" target="_self">CarMax Park</a>.Why it matters: The breakdown could threaten a land deal crucial to the Diamond District development project — and ultimately leave Richmond taxpayers on the hook if there&#x27;s no resolution.

Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch

Micro-housing units could become a key piece of the affordability puzzle in Richmond.

Richmond is slowly joining the tiny home movement that&#x27;s taking root across the country.Why it matters: As Richmond debates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zoning reforms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" data-vars-content-id="1932ad5b-0718-43a5-8824-29416c733e5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/19/richmond-duplex-zoning-single-family-change" target="_self">zoning reforms</a> to allow for denser housing, tiny home projects could become a key piece of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" data-vars-content-id="1932ad5b-0718-43a5-8824-29416c733e5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" target="_self">affordability</a> puzzle.

Inside VPM's $65M Richmond HQ opening this spring

Once it's open, you'll even be able to rent its rooftop terrace.

Sabrina here, fresh off a hard hat tour at VPM&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new headquarters." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/06/22/vpm-new-headquarters-broad-street" data-vars-content-id="9ca1b1bc-fdaf-443a-a689-5a404be44ac7" data-vars-headline="Inside VPM&#x27;s $65M Richmond HQ opening this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/06/22/vpm-new-headquarters-broad-street" target="_self">new headquarters.</a>Catch up quick: In case you&#x27;ve forgotten (or wondered what that giant under-construction building is on East Broad Street), the local NPR affiliate has had the 53,000-square-foot HQ in the works for at least two years.<ul><li>Construction began last August, and it&#x27;s slated to open around late spring.</li></ul>

Virginians emerge as some of America's biggest AI users

But the cost may be coming in the form of higher energy bills.

Virginians are among the nation&#x27;s heaviest users of artificial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/12/chesterfield-bus-cameras-ai-enforcement-buspatrol" data-vars-content-id="46174354-9c84-4ae0-822e-da23371bb400" data-vars-headline="Virginians emerge as some of America&#x27;s biggest AI users" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/12/chesterfield-bus-cameras-ai-enforcement-buspatrol" target="_self">intelligence</a>, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.anthropic.com/research/economic-index-geography" data-vars-content-id="46174354-9c84-4ae0-822e-da23371bb400" data-vars-headline="Virginians emerge as some of America&#x27;s biggest AI users" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/economic-index-geography" target="_blank">new report</a> from Anthropic. The big picture: The state&#x27;s rapid embrace of AI is colliding with mounting resident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/08/virginia-dominion-rate-hikes-richmond-power-bill" data-vars-content-id="46174354-9c84-4ae0-822e-da23371bb400" data-vars-headline="Virginians emerge as some of America&#x27;s biggest AI users" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/08/virginia-dominion-rate-hikes-richmond-power-bill" target="_self">pushback</a> against the data centers powering that growth.

Richmond's largest public housing project faces mayor's opposition

Mayor Avula says Gilpin Court's redevelopment can't proceed without stronger tenant protections and more.

Mayor Avula is saying he won&#x27;t back plans to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redevelop Gilpin Court" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/05/gilpin-court-privatization-dispute" data-vars-content-id="1aec2ff4-3061-4cfe-9b29-70a52c51c61c" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s largest public housing project faces mayor&#x27;s opposition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/05/gilpin-court-privatization-dispute" target="_self">redevelop Gilpin Court</a> unless the housing authority makes major changes, including nixing a controversial proposal to privatize the property.Why it matters: His opposition could stall and completely reshape plans for the city&#x27;s largest and oldest public housing complex.

VMFA to close more galleries next week ahead of historic expansion

European and sporting art galleries at VMFA close Sept. 16 as part of its next phase of expansion.

Culture

The next wave of temporary gallery closures at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="VMFA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/30/vmfa-sculpture-garden-lawn-closed-repairs" data-vars-content-id="cb4d6729-0e01-4aba-9b38-20dc76d38790" data-vars-headline="VMFA to close more galleries next week ahead of historic expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/30/vmfa-sculpture-garden-lawn-closed-repairs" target="_self">VMFA</a> starts next week. Why it matters: That means Richmond is one step closer to VMFA&#x27;s new McGlothlin Wing II part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/10/18/vmfa-expansion-261-million-history" data-vars-content-id="cb4d6729-0e01-4aba-9b38-20dc76d38790" data-vars-headline="VMFA to close more galleries next week ahead of historic expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/10/18/vmfa-expansion-261-million-history" target="_self">largest expansion</a> in the museum&#x27;s history.

Lakeside Avenue could become Henrico's new "Garden District"

The goal: making a car-heavy corridor into a pedestrian-friendly hub connecting Lewis Ginter and Bryan Park.

Henrico wants to turn the 1.3-mile stretch of Lakeside Avenue between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lewis Ginter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/30/richmond-lewis-ginter-among-top-us-gardens" data-vars-content-id="fa261390-d881-4eac-8a59-11971cb3807b" data-vars-headline="Lakeside Avenue could become Henrico&#x27;s new &quot;Garden District&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/30/richmond-lewis-ginter-among-top-us-gardens" target="_self">Lewis Ginter</a> and Bryan Park into the county&#x27;s &quot;Garden District,&quot; according to multiple reports.Why it matters: The makeover could make a car-heavy corridor a pedestrian-friendly hub that slows traffic, boosts businesses and housing, and connects two of the area&#x27;s most beloved green spaces.

Development 🏗️

Gilpin residents demand eviction pause as redevelopment lags

Mayor Avula calls Diamond District "pretty good bet" despite risk

Billboards slam Richmond zoning plan as "neighborhood nightmare"

What to know about the VCU–Flying Squirrels fight over CarMax Park

Richmond joins tiny home boom amid housing crunch