Former Gov. McAuliffe Joins Pro-Natural Gas Group As National Co-Chair

By Shannon Heckt, Virginia Mercury

November 12, 2025

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has joined Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future as a co-chair to promote natural gas as a route to long-term energy reliability as renewable energy sources are built out, the organization announced Tuesday.

The organization promotes moving away from coal-burning plants and using natural gas to reliably support solar and wind power generation. Touted as advocates for an “all of the above” energy profile, the group is expanding its reach into the commonwealth to promote gas power alongside renewable energy in hopes of bringing down utility bills while cutting emissions, despite the commonwealth’s plan to eventually eliminate fossil fuels.

“As a Virginian who knows the importance of natural gas to my Commonwealth’s economy, I believe that we must come together to secure a reliable and affordable energy future,” McAuliffe said in a statement.

McAuliffe will lead the organization with former Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, former U.S. Reps. Kendrick Meek of Florida and Tim Ryan of Ohio and former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

The group points to studies that suggest transitioning to 100% renewable energy will be cost-prohibitive and meeting peak demand for energy will prove a challenge. Natural gas in conjunction with renewable sources will allow the demand to be met at a reasonable cost, the group has said.

Reporting by the Guardian and Floodlight shows that Natural Allies is backed by fossil fuel companies to appeal to young, liberal, non-White constituents. Their mission is to focus on how gas is “cleaner” than coal, yet fossil fuels remain a major driver in climate change.

Ryan said this strategy “can show Democrats they don’t have to choose between environmental progress and economic reality. We can lead on both fronts.” Environmental groups believe the messaging from the group is “greenwashing” the impacts of gas power on the climate.

Natural Allies states that they work with lawmakers to educate them on how they can marry gas power and renewable energy to meet their states’ needs. The group is largely focused on Virginia, New York, and New Jersey and stresses the significantly lower carbon emissions that natural gas emits compared to coal-fired plants.

In Chesterfield, that is a common argument made in support of the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center, a proposed gas peaking plant to be built on the site of a former coal plant. Hundreds of residents in the area have been fiercely opposing the plant and say they want to prevent additional pollutants from being released into the surrounding communities.

Still, Natural Allies’ website reads that “Without natural gas, higher-emitting fuels like coal and oil would be needed to keep lights on. Additionally, rising energy costs will disproportionately impact vulnerable households — worsening health, education, and economic outcomes.”

McAuliffe served as Governor of Virginia from 2014-2018, before the Virginia Clean Economy Act was passed in 2020, which mandates utilities to retire gas-powered plants by 2050. Virginia is also one of the largest energy importers in the country and is facing a demand crisis with hundreds of power-thirsty data centers on the grid and more expected.

This story was originally published by the Virginia Mercury. For more stories from the Virginia Mercury, visit VirginiaMercury.com.