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Virginia regulators enter into agreement with menhaden fishery
Following months of negotiations on proposed regulations and hours of testimony Tuesday, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved an agreement with the menhaden industry that will restrict fishing in the Chesapeake Bay but doesn’t carry any enforceable penalties. In a 5-4 vote, the commission voted to approve a memo of understanding stating the Bay’s lone […]
Virginia regulators to consider changes to menhaden fishing regulations
Virginia regulators will consider changes to commercial menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake Bay following requests from recreational anglers to put an end to the fishery. Among the changes the Virginia Marine Resources Commission will take up are new regulations creating a no-fishing buffer one nautical mile wide around Virginia shorelines and Virginia Beach and a […]
Miyares asks for freeze on loan payments for Pink Energy projects
Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares joined a coalition of states in asking five solar lending companies to freeze loan payments and interest accruals for customers who had solar installed by Pink Energy but haven’t received a working system. Pink Energy, which also does business as Power Home Solar, filed for bankruptcy this October in North […]
After Chesapeake, UVA shootings, Youngkin to propose mental health agenda
Following the second mass shooting in Virginia in as many weeks that left 7 dead as of midday Wednesday, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said his administration plans to propose legislation to the General Assembly this winter to bolster mental health resources. While offering few details to reporters following an annual Thanksgiving ceremony, Youngkin said his […]
Dominion wants Wise County coal plant to stay as is
A report by Dominion Energy finds the company’s largely coal-fired Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County is economically viable, but critics say it lacks substantial, in-depth analysis to support its claims that the plant’s economic and environmental benefits justify continuing its current operations. Dominion filed the 28-page report as part of a deal […]
State Corporation Commission weighs new offshore wind settlement
Virginia’s State Corporation Commission is weighing whether a proposed new agreement between Dominion Energy and consumer and environmental advocates over the utility’s massive offshore wind project is more favorable to ratepayers than a prior plan that required a performance guarantee. “Do you see this being more or less favorable to customers than the final order, […]
Jagdmann to resign, leaving State Corporation Commission with only one seat filled
The State Corporation Commission will be down to one permanent judge in the new year with the resignation of Judith W. Jagdmann effective Dec. 31, which was announced Friday afternoon. Jagdmann has been serving since February 2006 on the three-member commission, one of the state’s most powerful regulatory bodies overseeing utilities, business, insurance and more, […]
Environmental groups using digital tech to bolster data collection
Digital technology has become an integral part of everyday life, whether through the use of phones, smart watches, drones or more obscure apps found in the depths of the internet. And while some movements are pushing for decreased screen time, environmental groups are increasingly tapping into technology to collect data on issues important to them. […]
Virginia joins brief supporting challenge of vehicle emissions rule
Virginia joined in on a brief in support of a multi-state lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over a proposed new rule for greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles. The brief, led by West Virginia, states the new rule is an “overbroad, top-down regulatory scheme that tries to force people into electric vehicles while disregarding […]
Virginia tightens landfill rules
Following three years of public input, Virginia is tightening its regulations for landfills. This October, the state’s Waste Management Board voted to require greater setbacks for landfills from the surrounding community, more frequent covering of waste at active landfills, regular capacity studies, notification of excess gas emissions and additional groundwater monitoring. Kathryn Perszyk, a division […]
Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe to begin air quality monitoring
Virginia’s Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe is receiving some help from the federal government to assess air quality. Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe $449,988 to conduct community air pollution monitoring. The tribe will train tribal citizens in air quality knowledge and skills, develop a community advisory board […]
Gov. Youngkin wants a small modular reactor. What exactly is that?
Within the span of two months, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin made it clear he wants Virginia to be a leader in the use of nuclear technology, specifically by having a small modular reactor operational in Southwest Virginia within the next decade. He first announced the new focus at the unveiling of his statewide energy plan, […]