It’s been a year since Hurricane Helene ripped through SWVA. For the town of Damascus, they heavily rely on the VA Creeper Trail for business. With a major part still washed out — they’re turning to other features to draw people in. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/22/i...

The debate over high voltage power lines in a Loudoun neighborhood sets the stage for how the SCC plans to handle power demands and community concerns, especially around data centers. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/19/l...

Lawmakers are looking into energy efficiency, battery storage, and other technology as they consider legislation for next session. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-la...

The proposed Chesterfield gas plant is drawing fierce opposition and support. The debate over energy demand vs environmental concerns continues #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/p...

The Virginia Mercury sat down with @SpanbergerForVA to hear her stances and policies. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/o...

The team here at the Virginia Mercury rounded up the details you need to know about the gubernatorial candidates on where they stand on the policies. Spanberger's On The Record will be published Tuesday. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/08/o...

Federal cuts have hit two Virginia offshore wind related projects. But one project is already done and spent -- while the other is hoping the money will be reinstated. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/05/n...

Going on now: Dominion makes a pitch to the SCC to raise residential rates and create a new rate class for high load users -- like data centers. But the tech industry isn't all on board for the plan. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/d...

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has an action plan for whoever is the next governor on ways to Save the Bay. I took a look at how each candidate has campaigned about certain issues. #vagov #valeg virginiamercury.com/2025/09/02/v...

Virginia Natural Gas is asking the SCC to raise their rates to keep operations flowing. But consumer advocates say the cost will unfairly impact low-income households. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

State lawmakers are asking the SCC to consider different routes for the controversial transmission line that has a Loudoun County community worried about home values and safety. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/nova-...

Spotted lanternflies are spreading through the commonwealth. There is still a lot of research being done on how to introduce natural predators for them -- however, removing an invasive plant could help things along. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/08/25/s...

The SCC has asked for more time to look over public comments before making their decision on if a controversial gas compressor can move forward. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

Regulator approves electricity transmission line, towers in Alexandria to serve one data center via Charlie Paullin with @insideclimatenews.org virginiamercury.com/2025/08/21/v...

The federal government has clawed back $156-million from Virginia that was to help help moderate/low income households to get solar panels on their roofs to help bring down utility costs. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

A Loudoun Co neighborhood is fighting proposed routes for high-voltage power lines that will feed into Data Center Alley. One family fears they’ll be forced to leave. Dominion says it’s vital the lines get built. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/08/14/l...

A menhaden management board is looking at possible restrictions on Virginia’s reduction fishery due to osprey and striped bass populations falling. The industry says the blame can’t be laid on them. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/08/13/m...

Looking to connect with legislators, residents, business owners, etc in southwest Virginia that were impacted by Hurricane Helene last year. Please DM or reply to this post!

Chesterfield residents aren’t giving up the fight over the proposed Dominion peaker gas plant. The community just saw the 70yo coal plant shut down two years ago and now the company says energy demand calls for the fossil fuel plant. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/08/11/c...

Dominion is announcing a partnership with the Richmond Flying Squirrels to place solar arrays on the new stadium’s roof and parking lot. It’s part of the company’s push to bring solar to more urban areas. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/new-b...

Fishermen are calling on President Trump to sign an executive order to end industrial reduction fishing of menhaden -- a critical forage fish in the Chesapeake Bay food chain. #valeg #vagov #vapol virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

More than 2200 acres of oyster reefs have been restored in the Chesapeake Bay as part of the 2014 watershed agreement. With a new agreement in the works — groups are looking for public comment on where to work next. virginiamercury.com/briefs/large...

Community resistance to a third Amazon data center in Louisa County led to the project being tabled for now. But worries remain for the other planned sites. #vagov #valeg #vapol virginiamercury.com/2025/07/28/a...

Youngkin joined a bipartisan group of governors calling out PJM, the regional transmission organization, for not getting enough energy projects on the grid while demand soars and other concerns. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/07/24/a...

[email protected] joins 73 other members of congress to ask the EPA to keep the amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards to reduce toxic emissions in place. The agency says it must be done to keep undue regulations off the coal industry. #valeg virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-co...

Advanced nuclear reactors are much smaller than old reactors. Some believe their ability to power more remote areas is the future of energy. Steps are being taken to bring one to Wise County. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/07/18/v...

The SCC accepted Dominion’s 2024 plan on how they’ll meet energy demands the next 15 years. But the commission told the utility they need to make some changes for future plans #valeg #vagov #vapol virginiamercury.com/2025/07/17/s...

The city of Petersburg has been in inundated with rain over the last few days leading to water rescues. City officials say besides the storms, old water systems and lack of dredging in the Appomattox is exacerbating the issue. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/peter...

After a million of gallons of sewage were spilled into the James River, @charlottewords.bsky.social and I checked on the health and environmental impacts #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/after...

Several lawmakers head to the Eastern shore today to learn about how Virginia is doing in the clean up of the Chesapeake and how farming practices can help. #vagov #valeg #vapol virginiamercury.com/2025/07/11/l...

Gov. Youngkin is part of the FEMA review council aimed at finding ways to reform the agency. He is focused on how state and local agencies could take over the brunt of response and FEMA just supports them. #valeg #vagov #vapol virginiamercury.com/briefs/as-pa...

I asked Virginia agencies how they prepare for dangerous weather events and what tools are available in the state for disaster recovery. #valeg #vapol #vagov virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

Dominion tells me this morning the rules for the wind tax credit phase out will not impact the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. The credits have saved approx $3 billion for this project.

The OBBB expedites the rollback of solar and wind tax credits while giving new ones to the coal industry that’s been decreasing in Virginia #valeg #vapol #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/07/04/r...

Virginia is remaining dedicated to investing in sustainable farming programs to prevent runoff into the Chesapeake Bay. #valeg #vagov #vapol virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

It’s been 5 years since the VCEA when into effect. Since then the energy needs have exploded, lawmakers struggle to pass bills to strengthen the law, and federal funding is up in the air. But some believe the state is still on track #valeg #vapol #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/07/02/e...

The Trump Administration is proposing removing the 2001 Roadless Rule that would open up thousands of acres of national forest for development. #valeg #vapol #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/06/30/r...

This heatwave is happening during a delicate time in growing for several crops. All the spring rain is helping but if things stay hot and dry out — it could mean trouble. #vawx virginiamercury.com/briefs/wet-s...

There is still a lot of uncertainty around the full scope of cuts being handed down from the federal government but some coastal flooding projects have already been cut that agencies say can’t be delayed. #valeg #vapol virginiamercury.com/2025/06/25/f...

Since Gov. Youngkin vetoed statewide data center regulations, counties are scrambling to make their own. Virginia holds over a third of the world’s data centers. #valeg #vapol #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/06/20/v...

Advocates called on the General Assembly to pass laws to protect outside workers from the heat. They believe a federal rule is far off. #vapol #valeg virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

Statewide solar regulations struggle to pass in the General Assembly. Without those consistent rules people are seeing projects getting held up by county governments over concerns of losing ag land and other issues. #vagov #vapol #valeg virginiamercury.com/2025/06/17/l...

After Spanberger released her energy plans, House GOP leaders were quick to say they believe her ideas aren’t enough to meet the energy needs of the commonwealth. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2025/06/12/k...

It’s hot out there and research shows that some neighborhoods are hotter than others due to historic underinvestment. #valeg virginiamercury.com/briefs/study...

It’s my first day @virginiamercury.com Let’s connect #valeg shoot me a DM or email at [email protected]. Happy to be here!

Although the solar industry has been operating in Louisiana for years, state lawmakers took their first stab at making uniform rules and regulations, only to kill the effort. @shannonheckt.bsky.social reports: lailluminator.com/2025/05/14/l...

So proud to say I’ve accepted the position of Environment & Energy Reporter for @virginiamercury.com. This really is a dream job and in a place I’ve always wanted to live. Im eager to make connections and get to know folks in #valeg! I start in June so #lalege come say bye soon. 💕

Louisiana officials lament loss of USDA money to help schools, food banks buy from local farmers. @shannonheckt.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/05/07/f...

In a David vs Goliath style debate, residents take on the oil and gas industry and supporters of carbon capture. The first key bill to give parishes more control over projects went down today. Co-written with my colleague @eplunk.bsky.social #lalege #lagov lailluminator.com/2025/04/29/l...

Louisiana wants to become attractive for small nuclear reactors (SMRs) to be built. But they aren’t currently operating in the U.S. Could they be a way to solve rural energy disparities, or a massive cost to consumers? #lalege #lagov lailluminator.com/2025/04/23/l...