Want to weigh in on the Dominion-NextEra merger? Here’s where public hearings will be held.
If approved by multiple state and federal agencies, the merger would create the largest regulated utility in the country.
Virginia Mercury
Republican veteran Tony Sabio is on a ‘mission’ to win Va.’s most Democratic US House seat
The former counterterrorism officer has high hurdles to clear in his quest to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, including regional frustration with the Trump Administration and a popular, six-term incumbent for an opponent.
Spanberger presses Congress for AI guardrails as states forge ahead
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Alexandria, co-chair of Congress’ bipartisan Caucus on Artificial Intelligence, led a bipartisan group of 10 House members in a letter last week urging Johnson and Jeffries to advance legislation on AI oversight, security and transparency.
‘A different deal on the table’: AG Jay Jones asks SCC to reset the clock on Dominion-NextEra merger
Because the companies’ supplemental filing pitching extended customer bill credits and other perks was submitted the first business day after the deadline to file as an intervenor in the case, Jones said, it “raises serious notice concerns.”
New dashboard shows term limits on affordable status of properties around Virginia
A new law from Alexandria Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker lets cities buy expiring affordable properties first, as more than 18,000 units statewide lose protected status by 2030
Virginia’s federal lawmakers lock in on regulating data centers
Two members of Virginia’s congressional delegation have introduced bills designed to create standards for siting data centers in communities, amplify transparency about the facilities’ power and water use and protect nearby communities from international threats.
Va.’s US Sens. Kaine, Warner introduce bill to curb overcrowding at Reagan National Airport
Legislation includes hourly arrival caps and strategies to prevent future aviation tragedies
In rare move, SCC orders three in-person hearings for NextEra-Dominion merger case
First public hearing would be Nov. 5, with other dates to be announced.
Beyer criticizes ‘Republican price tag’ ahead of November midterm elections
Challengers say congressman hasn’t improved affordability despite long tenure, as race shapes up around voters’ fiscal strains
Federal judge effectively blocks new state law limiting Virginia’s cooperation with ICE
Existing immigration enforcement agreements may continue, but localities remain barred from joining the federal program for the first time.
The day Virginia took down Confederate statues, a Black church remembered a lynching victim
Benjamin Thomas was denied his future at 16. Today, his name helps another Alexandria teenager build one, guest columnist Jeff Bennett writes.
Inside Virginia’s city halls, concerns, confusion rise with Flock surveillance protests
A VCIJ review of thousands of public records shows widespread misunderstanding and mistrust of Flock Safety – even inside city halls and police headquarters.
Voting rights struggle continues, Gov. Spanberger and advocates say at March on Washington anniversary
The state’s first woman governor stressed the importance of voting and how her administration had worked to restore that right to 66,000 Virginians previously convicted of felonies.
Legislators didn’t allow local bans of gas-powered leaf blowers. Va. localities are doing it anyway.
The Virginia Code gives localities the power to adopt “such measures as it deems expedient” to secure the “health, safety and general welfare” of their residents, including through enforcement of noise ordinances. That seems like enough authority, columnist Ivy Main writes.
Spanberger takes unprecedented step to intervene in $67B Dominion-NextEra merger
Virginia’s governor says she will press for lower electric bills, job protections and continued clean energy investment as the SCC reviews the deal.
Virginia shoppers set to save as sales tax holiday returns this weekend
Virginia’s sales tax holiday begins on Friday and runs through Sunday, offering deals on qualifying school supplies, clothing and footwear sales tax. Certain emergency preparedness items also qualify.