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Virginia Manager Orders Power Cuts After 24.9% Rate Hike

7/3/2026

27 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Manager John Vithoulkas ordered staff to cut electricity after a 24.9% rate increase on July 1, 2026, adding $5 million to the budget.
On June 26, 2026 he emailed staff to turn off lights, close blinds, unplug chargers and conserve water with showers and disabled sprinklers because of a drought.
He warned electricity hikes are likely, likening cuts to Great Recession savings while the 37 centers amid Virginia’s 400-plus centers strain the grid.

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Story summary

Manager John Vithoulkas ordered staff to cut electricity after a 24.9% rate increase on July 1, 2026, adding $5 million to the budget.
On June 26, 2026 he emailed staff to turn off lights, close blinds, unplug chargers and conserve water with showers and disabled sprinklers because of a drought.
He warned electricity hikes are likely, likening cuts to Great Recession savings while the 37 centers amid Virginia’s 400-plus centers strain the grid.