Energy + Environment
Solar co-op running campaign in Richmond, Hampton Roads region
An opportunity for residents who want solar on their property is expanding to the Richmond and Hampton Roads area amid potential changes to how much savings Virginia’s two largest utilities will offer to customers who install panels. Solar United Neighbors says participation in its co-op program to install solar panels on residential properties can be […]
Data centers and Virginia’s special kind of denialism
The reelection of Donald Trump shows the continued prevalence of climate denialism, which involves a rejection of the scientific consensus that human activity is changing the climate. As in his first term, Trump will no doubt try to hold our country back in the race to slow climate change by phasing out fossil fuels. Unlike […]
Virginia’s turkeys will soon grace tables in India
As Virginians gather around the table for some Thanksgiving turkey, the state’s first shipment of turkey products are headed to India, thanks in part to the work of the state’s two U.S. senators. Earlier this month, Sen. Mark Warner announced that India will receive the frozen birds after reduced tariffs facilitated the first shipment “Obviously […]
Under pressure from the SCC, Dominion reveals the true cost of data centers
Ever since data centers started spreading across the Virginia landscape like an invasive pest, one important question has remained unanswered: How much does the industry’s insatiable demand for energy impact other utility customers? Under pressure from the SCC, this month Dominion Energy Virginia finally provided the answer we feared: Ordinary Virginia customers are subsidizing Big […]
Rural Virginia co-ops, developer granted $1.1 million to build electric vehicle charging stations
Rural electric cooperatives are joining in on the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations statewide, after Virginia Energy announced $1.1 million in awards to two co-ops last week, as well as an EV charger developer. A&N Electric Cooperative, which serves the Eastern Shore, will receive $274,290 for two charging stations in New Church and Capeville. […]
Virginia water regulators begin process of identifying PFAS sources
Following a law the legislature passed this year, Virginia’s water regulators are beginning a process to identify sources of chemicals known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” which were found above regulatory limits in drinking water in 28 water systems across the state. The systems include eight from Fauquier and Loudoun Counties, with a smattering of […]
Air regulators awaiting info for Dominion’s proposed natural gas plant
Virginia’s air regulators are awaiting data from Dominion Energy to further process the utility’s air permit request for the natural gas plant they’re proposing to build to meet rising energy needs, as pushback over the location and potential environmental impact of the facility continues. “We are expecting to receive air quality monitoring data … in […]
Judge deems Youngkin’s actions to withdraw Virginia from RGGI ‘unlawful’
Floyd County Circuit Court Judge Randall Lowe ruled Wednesday Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin acted unlawfully by withdrawing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a program aimed to reduce climate changing emissions that has funneled hundreds of millions to the state to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events. In his five page opinion, […]
Energy policymakers convene for Virginia Clean Economy Act summit
Democratic and Republican lawmakers, utilities, energy regulators and other interested parties met in Henrico County Monday to discuss how the state’s growing power needs may be met in conjunction with the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, a 2020 law aiming for zero-carbon emissions by 2050. Since the measure passed four years ago, demands […]
How would Project 2025’s energy implications manifest in Virginia?
Now that President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans have gained control of the Oval Office and both chambers of Congress, the conservative playbook called Project 2025 may be closer to becoming a reality. It includes a chapter whose author has ties to Virginia’s energy laws and regulation creation process, and that calls for major overhauls to […]
Youngkin urges Hurricane Helene survivors to contact officials, shares storm recovery update
Virginia and federal officials are trying to contact Southwest Virginia residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and urging them to complete their applications for recovery funds dedicated to the region, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a press briefing Thursday afternoon. The governor provided an update on the state’s continued recovery from the storm, which hit Virginia […]
Google, Virginia policy makers discuss growing data center demand
Leading tech firm Google, which has invested over $4 billion in Virginia and owns three data center campuses in the northern region of the state, co-hosted a private meeting in Richmond Tuesday alongside the state’s energy department to talk about how electric grid investments can meet data centers’ rising energy needs. Called the Virginia Grid […]