Public News Service

Data from the Electric School Bus Initiative finds Virginia is one of the top states to own and purchase clean school buses. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Virginia kids are heading back to school in a more environmentally friendly way. School districts and counties statewide are making the switch to …

Los datos de la Electric School Bus Initiative encuentran que Virginia es uno de los principales estados en poseer y comprar autobuses escolares limpios. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

En VA más distritos escolares adoptan autobuses limpios

Los niños de Virginia regresan a la escuela de una manera más amigable con el medio ambiente. Los distritos escolares y los condados de …

Solar energy costs far less than fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency finds utility-level solar costs about $20 per unit less to produce than natural gas. (Adobe Stock)

Misinformation prevents VA from reaping solar-energy benefits

Although most Virginians support and prefer solar energy, misinformation is keeping more of it from being built. Several counties and cities have …

The Interior Department says it will hold more lease sales in the Central Atlantic in 2026. (Twixter/Adobe Stock)

Offshore wind industry gains momentum in VA

Virginia's Dominion Energy has won a lease to continue growing its offshore wind portfolio near Virginia's coast. The move is expected to grow the …

Data centers could need about 9% of the nation's electricity generation by 2030, about double what the sector consumes today. (Production Perig/Adobe Stock)

Federal dollars provide boost to VA’s 'Data Center Alley'

The Biden administration is enhancing the nation's power grid by funding several storage, resilience and transmission projects. The money will …

A 2021 report found more than 70% of the 3,000 hazardous natural gas leaks in Washington, D.C. posed an immediate threat to residents. (Adobe Stock)

DC residents push back on natural gas infrastructure build-up

Washington D.C. residents are pushing back on a plan to build out existing fossil fuel infrastructure. Washington Gas' $12 billion Project Pipes …

Along with extreme temperatures and public health-related states of emergency, a new Virginia law prevents utility shutoffs on Fridays, weekends and the day before or during state holidays. (Adobe Stock)

VA law prevents utility shutoffs in extreme circumstances

A new Virginia law protects residents from utility shutoffs in extreme weather. The law prevents utility company shutoffs when temperatures are at …

The American Lung Association found the public health benefits of moving to zero-emission transportation are saving almost $30 billion in public health costs, and avoiding 2,700 deaths, 70,900 asthma attacks and 350,000 lost workdays. (Adobe Stock)

Youngkin rolls back VA’s clean-car standards

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is rolling back Virginia's clean-car standards. The General Assembly passed legislation adopting California's clean-car …

Dominion Energy's Integrated Resource Plan calls for up to 9 gigawatts of gas-fired capacity. Emissions from its proposed Chesterfield plant could equal up to 470,000 gas cars on Virginia roads. (Wikimedia Commons)

Dominion eyes alternate site for Chesterfield gas plant

Dominion Energy is eyeing a new site for a natural gas plant in Chesterfield. Documents show the company is considering the recently closed …

Around 14 proposed Virginia data centers will require more than 1 gigawatt of power, which is enough electricity to power 750,000 average homes. (Adobe Stock)

VA groups host rally against 'unchecked' data center growth

Virginians are coming together for a rally this Sunday to voice concerns about data center expansion. Lawmakers, community leaders and environmental …

Transportation accounts for 28% of emissions in the U.S. and ships and boats produce 3% of greenhouse-gas emissions. Emissions for the sector declined between 1990 and 2020 but shot to record highs in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Groups want Biden to reduce shipping emissions in VA, U.S.

Environmental groups want to reduce shipping emissions at ports in Virginia and nationwide, urging President Joe Biden to sign an executive order …

Virginia Senate Bill 737 includes provisions to monitor programs to ensure they are cost-effective by certifying the benefits of reduced energy use outweigh the program costs. (Adobe Stock)

VA law bolsters energy efficiency programs

A new Virginia law is expected to grow energy efficiency programs in the state. Senate Bill 737 expands access to energy-efficient appliances and …

If power grid operators cannot change the interconnection process in time, data show around 80% of the emissions reductions expected from the Inflation Reduction Act might not happen. (Adobe Stock)

New FERC rule helps VA upgrade transmission infrastructure

A new rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could improve Virginia's electric grid transmission capacity. It requires utilities and …

Although heavy-duty trucks make up 10% of vehicles on the road, they create more than 25% of total pollution. (Adobe Stock)

VA officials support new EPA clean truck standards

Virginia officials support the Environmental Protection Agency's new emissions rule. The federal clean truck standards will reduce emissions by up to …

Aunque los camiones pesados representan el 10% de los veh�culos en circulaci�n, generan m�s del 25% de la contaminaci�n total. (Adobe Stock)

Funcionarios de VA apoyan nuevos estándares de camiones limpios de la EPA

Los funcionarios de Virginia apoyan la nueva regla de emisiones de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental. Los estándares federales para …

According to research from Virginia Commonwealth University, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative created 2,115 local jobs in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly considers RGGI budget amendments

Virginia's General Assembly will consider budget amendments to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI. Gov. Glenn Youngkin …

Environmental justice communities are linked to health issues that include asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The4 effects of climate change often exacerbate these issues. (Adobe Stock)

VA groups angry over Youngkin’s Environmental Justice Council picks

Environmental organizations in Virginia have united in opposition to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's picks for the state Environmental Justice Council…

Expanding solar in VA can provide numerous benefits

Virginia energy experts feel a recent push for solar energy legislation could have benefited the state. Senate Bill 697 would have removed a ban on …

Although U.S. government subsidies have helped keep the biomass industry afloat, the programs have a lengthy track record of being unsuccessful. (Adobe Stock)

Biomass company bankruptcy filing shows industry’s instability

Biomass producer Enviva's recent bankruptcy filing is being considered a sign of the industry's volatility. Recent financial challenges have …

Federal legislation has been introduced to improve the efficiency of the U.S. electrical grid. The FASTER Act would amend the Federal Power Act to expedite the review and permitting of electric transmission facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Transmission upgrades needed to keep U.S. climate goals on track

Environmental groups in Virginia are among those looking at how to improve and modernize electrical grid transmission. Experts said the grid's age …

A recent analysis found PJM Interconnection's processing time of 37 months is the fastest for grid operators in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA grid manager needs better interconnection process

Virginia's electrical grid manager ranked poorly in a new energy scorecard. Advanced Energy United's Generator Interconnection Scorecard gave PJM …

Gas power plants are vulnerable to adverse weather. A report showed during Winter Storm Elliott in late December, gas-fired power plants were responsible for around 70% of unplanned outages. (Adobe Stock)

VA residents oppose proposed Dominion Energy power plant

A proposed power plant in Chesterfield County is meeting with the ire of local residents. Dominion Energy's Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center …

A 2020 Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action report finds transportation sources are responsible for 190 air pollution-related premature deaths annually in the state. (Adobe Stock)

VA adopts rule to sell only 'clean' cars starting in 2035

Virginia has adopted a new rule advancing clean car use. The Advanced Clean Cars II Rule requires carmakers to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 20…

No commercial small modular nuclear reactors are in use in the United States. The only project to get federal approval was canceled in 2023 because of a series of challenges, including oversized cost increases. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly OKs bills to develop small modular nuclear reactors

Virginia's General Assembly has approved legislation to develop small modular nuclear reactors. The bills passed both chambers despite concerns …

Virginia has two liquefied natural gas facilities with a total storage capacity of 407,200 barrels. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups discourage U.S. use of liquified natural gas

The U.S. is reconsidering its use of liquefied natural gas. While it has long been touted as a "clean alternative" to fossil fuels like coal…

Some environmental effects of pipeline projects are loss of water and air filtration capability from forests, risk of severe erosion in mountainous areas, and increased air pollution from leaking methane gas. (Adobe Stock)

Despite opposition, VA pipeline expansion moves ahead

Despite extensive opposition, the Virginia Reliability Project is moving forward. This month, the state's Marine Resources Commission issued a …

A 2022 Southern Environmental Law Center study found Enviva wood pellet plants in Virginia and North Carolina harvest 60,300 acres of forests per year. Research shows clear-cutting trees at such a magnitude can destroy necessary ecosystems and damage water quality. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Biomass outpaces emissions of other fossil fuels

A new report found woody biomass is worse for the environment than other fossil fuels. The study showed biomass facility emissions are almost three …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported 12% of methane emissions stem from leaks in natural gas systems. (Adobe Stock)

New methane safeguards protect VA communities

New methane safeguards can protect communities in Virginia and the U.S. A new rule targets leaks from wells and pipelines, which can emit at least 2.…

Based on current environmental impacts, residents of Petersburg have a life expectancy 10 years lower than the national average, according to U.S. News & World Report. (Adobe Stock)

VA environmentalists frustrated by FERC-approved pipeline extension

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a plan extending a natural-gas pipeline in Virginia. The Virginia Reliability Plan and Transcot's …

A 2021 report found Virginia has the potential to create more than 220,000 terawatts of offshore wind energy by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Dominion Energy plan falls short on renewables

A new report found Dominion Energy's Integrated Resource Plan does not align with Virginia's climate goals. Dominion wants to keep using gas and …

In the last two decades, Virginia has managed to reduce its methane emissions by 58.7%. (Adobe Stock)

VA developing plan for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

Virginia is determining how to best use its Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. This grant was awarded to numerous states through funds allocated in …

A 2023 Resources for the Future report noted the state of Virginia established a climate resilience fund in early 2022, using $25 million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (Chesapeake Climate Action Network)

Environmental Groups File Lawsuit to Keep VA in RGGI

Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In June, Virginia's Air Pollution …

Energy prices across the United States increased 5% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. Coupled with 8% inflation, ratepayers saw a total 13% increase, the largest growth in electric bills since 1984. (Adobe Stock)

Energy-Efficiency Programs Aid Virginians with High Utility Costs

Growing energy prices have Virginians seeking relief to high utility bills. Earlier this year, Appalachian Power announced its customers will see a $2…

The American Lung Association reported emissions from natural gas and biomass power plants could result in cancer and other health issues, releasing pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into the air. (Adobe Stock)

VA Environmental Groups Wary of Proposed Gas Power Plant

A proposed Dominion Energy power plant has Virginia environmental groups in an uproar. The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center would be a gas-…

Nuclear energy is one part of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's

Experts Concerned about SW Virginia Nuclear Plant Placement

Environmentalists and Southwest Virginia residents are concerned about proposed sites for small modular nuclear reactors. The LENOWISCO Planning …

According to real estate consulting firm CBRE, Northern Virginia's total data center load in 2021 was 1,688 megawatts, which is equivalent needed to power 1.6 million homes. (Adobe Stock)<br />

VA Carbon Emissions Drop Despite Data Center Growth

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

According to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, there were 255,037 workers in the solar industry across the U.S. in 2021, which represents a 9.2% increase from 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Nonprofit Offers Training for Solar Jobs

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

riders attached to federal budgets have provided incentives for woody biomass. But, as the nation moves to a more climate-friendly future, woody biomass is being re-evaluated for its climate friendliness. (Adobe Stock)">

Woody Biomass Under Fire in VA

While Virginia is leading southern states in climate-smart programs, it still has a problem with woody biomass. Woody biomass has come under …

Numerous energy sources will be under consideration to move the state of Virginia toward a more carbon-neutral future. Offshore wind will be one such energy source as The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is set to be completed by February 2027. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Ambivalent Over New VA Energy Plan

Virginia's new energy plan takes an "all of the above" approach, although it is not as all-encompassing as it seems. Much of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's …

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, roughly 2.2 million Americans currently work in the clean-energy sector. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Elected Officials Call on U.S. Senate to Pass Climate Actions

A coalition of elected officials from Virginia has joined a group of more than 565 elected leaders asking the federal government to accelerate the nat…

While its sanctuary was built in the 1940s, Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ dates back to 1912, when services were held outdoors. (Elizabeth McGowan)

Virginia Church Pushes Toward Clean-Energy Future

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network. Broadcast version by Jonah Chester for Virginia News Connection, reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

Dominion Energy has cited the Russian invasion of Ukraine and global inflation as factors contributing to the rising cost of energy. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Customers Could See Dominion Energy Rate Hikes

Dominion Energy is proposing a rate hike, which would push up utility costs for Virginia's homes and businesses. The company has submitted several …

Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 2020, a majority of the nation's renewable energy came from wind, while about 11% was derived from solar. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Officials Urge Biden Administration to Push Forward on Clean Energy

As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, a national coalition of elected officials is urging the Biden administration to expedite the nation's …

The Virginia Mercury reports the Mountain Valley Pipeline's current price tag stands at $6.2 billion, up from its initial cost estimate of $3.7 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Advocate: Mountain Valley Pipeline Far From Complete

Construction on the 300-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline is more than 90% complete, according to the project's developers. But environmental advocates …

Virginia will benefit from the new infrastructure plan's $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization, which will reduce energy costs for families. (Adobe stock)

New Infrastructure Deal Called Critical to Climate Progress in Virginia

ASHBURN, Va. - Some Virginia lawmakers are applauding Friday's passage of President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, claiming it's a critical step …

President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill, expected to come to a vote Sept. 30, includes measures to help the nation switch to renewable energy. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Business Leaders Urge Congress to Pass Infrastructure Bill

RICHMOND, Va. -- Business leaders are urging Congress to take action to curb climate change by supporting the Biden administration's Build Back …

Switching to electric vehicles would save consumers, governments and businesses $19 billion each year, according to a new report by Advanced Energy Economy. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Shift to Electric Vehicles an Economic Boon for Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - As negotiations in Congress continue on a federal infrastructure package, a report out today predicts the American Jobs Plan's …

New College Institute in Martinsville, Va., just started offering wind-turbine safety certification training to meet the need for clean-energy job openings. (Adobe stock)

A Year After Clean Economy Act, VA Sees Renewable Jobs Expand

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- One year after Virginia adopted its Clean Economy Act, workforce development and new jobs in clean energy are booming in the …

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VA: Energy Policy