I’ve spent a lot of time covering Virginia politics, and Governor Abigail Spanberger’s decision to create a new cabinet-level Chief Energy Officer position - and appoint Josephus Allmond to it - of course has me paying close attention.
Super close.
Annoyingly close.
On March 25, 2026, Spanberger signed an executive order establishing the role, tasking it with tackling rising energy costs, improving reliability, and advancing long-term clean energy goals; she tapped Josephus Allmond, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC).
An attorney.
K.
And again, as someone who watches how policy gets shaped, I’m left with questions about the broader networks involved.
Allmond’s work at SELC has centered on energy regulation and equity-focused advocacy in Virginia. Man, I really, really, really hate the word EQUITY.
Now he steps into a powerful position, influencing everything from power plant permits to rate cases at a moment when families are already strained by high bills.
What stands out also is how closely SELC has worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in recent years - particularly in Alabama in 2024. In May of that year, SELC attorneys in Birmingham partnered directly with the SPLC to file an emergency petition with the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The only reason this made my radar go off is the fact that we now know SPLC may have been PAYING for the white hate they claim is rampant in our country. Apparently, there is so much racism in America that they had to pay to create it.
K. Again.
And this guy worked with them on a project?
K. Again. And again.
To be fair (you all know how fair I am), Allmond himself isn’t listed on that specific Alabama filing, but his employer’s partnership with the SPLC raises fair questions about shared priorities and approaches.
Do I think Abigail will actually address the connection? Probably not. And as I said above, there is no direct connection between Allmond himself and the SPLC ... but the two organizations did work together.
These are the things that make me go hmmmmm ...
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Related:
VA Election Guy Lectures Virginians About Coming TOGETHER Because Polarization Is Bad and OH HELL NO
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