energy | FFXnow

Published September 18, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 18, 2026 at 4:48PM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announces a new executive order on data centers (courtesy Office of the Governor)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has issued an executive order creating a new “accountability framework” that aims to increase transparency around proposed data center projects, establishes checkpoints around energy and environmental impacts, and convenes a new “rapid response” AI task force.

Touted as the “most comprehensive and aggressive data center accountability framework in the country,” Executive Order 22 bans nondisclosure agreements by state agencies or employees, eliminates “by-right” approvals in favor of requiring public hearing and approval processes for projects that generate over 25 megawatts of power, and requires centers to contribute a “more equitable share” of electric costs.

Countywide

Dominion and NextEra seek to win Va. support for merger with plan for new jobs, bill credits

By Associated Press

Published September 14, 2026 at 7:15PM

FILE – The Dominion Energy sign outside of the Electric and Fleet Operations center in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 29, 2024, in Aiken, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr., File)

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Power companies NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, which are seeking approval to merge into one behemoth, announced plans Monday to sweeten the deal in Virginia, Dominion’s home base, where the proposal has faced skepticism from the Democratic governor and legislative leaders.

Countywide

Data centers hurting efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, D.C. region leaders told

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 10, 2026 at 11:45AM

CoreSite's Reston data center campus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Washington region will likely fall well short of its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the rise of data centers is the prime culprit.

With just four years to go, the region is less than halfway toward meeting agreed-upon emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to new data presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on Wednesday (Sept. 9).

Countywide

Virginia study of data centers’ impact on groundwater calls for tighter regulations

By Associated Press

Published July 24, 2026 at 4:45PM

FILE - Cars drive past data centers in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 16, 2023 (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia, the world’s largest data center hub, has released a long-delayed study that examined the state’s eastern region groundwater supply and the resource-hungry industry’s possible impact on it, finding declines are likely in a critical aquifer due to population growth and industrial use, and urging stricter regulations.

News

Fairfax County completes largest solar energy project so far on I-95 landfill

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

A sign warns against trespassing at Fairfax County's I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Land in Lorton that once served as a waste disposal site has been transformed into Fairfax County’s largest solar power project so far.

After about a year of construction, a completed 5-megawatt solar array now sits on 37 acres in a closed portion of the I-95 Landfill Complex at 9850 Furnace Road, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) announced Wednesday (May 19).

Countywide

Fairfax County reports reduced energy use with switch to LED streetlights

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated April 30, 2026 at 10:53AM

LED streetlights along Sunrise Valley Drive near the Innovation Center Metro station (courtesy Fairfax County)

The end is within sight for Fairfax County’s nearly decade-long push to convert all streetlights to more energy efficient LED fixtures.

Dominion Energy, which owns, operates and maintains about 96% of the county’s 60,000 streetlights, has upgraded approximately 93% or 52,100 of them to LED, as of March, the county announced earlier this week.

News

Gov. Spanberger signs energy, contraception bills from Fairfax County legislators

By Emily Leayman

Published April 9, 2026 at 11:45AM

Abigail Spanberger speaks at a campaign event in Annandale (staff photo by Jared Serre)

As the deadline for her to act on 2026 General Assembly legislation approaches, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed additional bills yesterday (Wednesday) on health care, housing and energy, including a few championed by Fairfax County lawmakers.

The governor has approved hundreds of bills since the General Assembly session ended on March 14. The latest round of bills includes a codified right to contraception, limits on prior authorizations on prescription drugs from insurance plans, stricter emissions standards for data centers, tools to incentivize and preserve affordable housing, and a longer mandatory waiting period before landlords pursue evictions.

Countywide

Fairfax County proposes new zoning rules on facilities for large-scale battery storage

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 13, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 10:40AM

Battery Energy Storage System (photo by Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory, via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (Jan. 13) set a pair of future public hearings on proposed revisions to zoning rules for large-scale battery storage in the county.

The proposed changes would impact what are known as Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS. Language in the amendments would add a new definition for BESS and add new use standards and submission requirements, including minimum setbacks and the completion of a noise study before a site plan can be approved.

Countywide

Potential bill would exempt Lorton waste incinerator from Va. carbon reduction regulations

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Reworld's I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility off of Furnace Road (via Google Maps)

A requirement established by the Virginia Clean Economy Act could force a Lorton incinerator that converts waste into energy to shut down, undermining the intent of the law, state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-34) says.

The Senate majority leader plans to introduce a bill at the Virginia General Assembly’s upcoming session that would exclude Fairfax County’s I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility (9898 Furnace Road) from regulations requiring larger electricity generators to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, starting in 2031.

News

Dominion Energy sues Trump administration for halting wind projects

By Associated Press

Published December 26, 2025 at 2:45PM

Wind turbine bases, generators and blades are positioned along with support ships at The Portsmouth Marine terminal at the staging area for Dominion Energy's wind turbine project Monday Dec. 22, 2025, in Portsmouth, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The developers of a Virginia offshore wind project are asking a federal judge to block a Trump administration order that halted construction of their project, along with four others, over national security concerns.

Dominion Energy Virginia said in its lawsuit filed late Tuesday (Dec. 23) that the government’s order is “arbitrary and capricious” and unconstitutional. The Richmond-based company is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, a project it says is essential to meet dramatically growing energy needs driven by dozens of new data centers.