Water
- Virginia votes Tuesday: Everything you need to know about the 2026 primary elections
Voters on Tuesday will choose nominees for U.S. Senate and congressional races across the commonwealth.
- Data center backlash set to sway midterm elections
An aerial view shows a data center situated near single-family homes in Northern Virginia.
- Congresswoman Kiggans Joins Discussions on Public Safety and Elections
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia’s Second District took part in a discussion with FBI Director Kash Patel and Hampton Roads law enforcement officials focused on public safety topics.
- Governor Spanberger Announces $52 Million to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery & Rural Localities
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced more than $52 million to support projects across Southwest and Western Virginia through Good Neighbor Agreements signed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS).
- NEW: Governor Spanberger Stands Up to Trump Administration Effort to Strip Protections from 400,000 Acres of National Forests in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today urged the Trump Administration to abandon its proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule — known as the Roadless Rule — that would jeopardize nearly 400,000 acres of National Forests in Virginia.
- Spanberger’s EO 22 Rewrites Virginia’s Data-Center Rules Without Declaring a Moratorium
The order bans new state NDAs, curbs VEDP help for big new loads, pushes noise and water reviews, and tees up 2027 legislation—while leaving local zoning fights intact.
- Governor Spanberger gives away $67 Million for Home Energy Efficiency Projects to receive only $15 Million in work
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the release of more than $67 million in available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds that were previously withheld by the Youngkin Administration.
- TRAP Program turns lost fishing gear into lasting solutions as nationwide impact grows
After recovering more than 600,000 pounds of lost fishing traps in just two years, the Nationwide Fishing Trap, Removal Assessment and Prevention (TRAP) Program is announcing 11 new coastal clean up projects in seven states.
- Chesapeake Bay underwater grasses increase 7%, buoyed by gains in salty waters
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most important indicators of ecosystem health, increased by 7% to an estimated 89,395 acres in 2025.
- EPA to give $90M for clean water and restoration projects in Chesapeake Bay watershed, 28 in Va.
A living shoreline project on the James River.
- The simple affordability fix Virginia just can’t seem to make
Townhomes under construction in Richmond, Va. on May 15, 2026.
- Franklin County Families Receive Restitution in Smith Mountain Lake Housing Discrimination Case
Smith Mountain Lake in Franklin County, Virginia.
- Chesterfield Again Delays Vote on Using Data-Center Taxes to Cut the Car Tax
Supervisors pushed an ordinance that could drop the rate by at least $1 to Nov. 18, citing timing doubts as Google campuses await power.
- Governor Spanberger Secures $64 Million Investment by LG Electronics for New Chiller Plant in Isle of Wight County
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that LG Electronics will establish a new HVAC systems assembly facility in Isle of Wight County — creating 164 new jobs for Virginians through more than $63.9 million in new capital investment.
- Governor Abigail Spanberger Urges Congress to Set National Artificial Intelligence Guardrails
Letter to House and Senate leaders follows her Sept. 18 Virginia AI task force order; Spanberger warns jobs, privacy, and public resources cannot rely on company self-regulation alone.
- Governor Spanberger Celebrates $16.5 Million to Improve Infrastructure in Hampton Roads
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today celebrated $16.5 million in federal grants through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to improve and support infrastructure in the City of Portsmouth, York County, and across Hampton Roads.
- Loudoun Schools Prepare Artificial Intelligence Classroom Pilot as Device Costs Surge Past 70 Percent
Board members split over Gemini Notebook trials at seven middle and high schools while Chromebook and staff laptop prices jump on chip shortages.
- Cumberland county residents split on proposed gas plant, slated to be second largest in the nation
Cumberland County residents meet Aug. 31, 2026 to discuss the proposed Dominion Cumberland Energy Center.
- With six West Nile cases reported statewide, infected mosquitos are on the rise in Virginia Beach
A female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito on the skin of a human host.
- Amazon changes course on water use for King George data center campus
The Robert O. Norris Bridge is located over the Rappahannock River.
- Virginia Outdoors Foundation protected 11,000 new acres and awarded nearly $6 million in grants
From family farms and public parks to expanding the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, VOF's work in 2025 added to its portfolio of protected open space for future generations.
- Roanoke region remains in emergency drought conditions despite rain in other areas
A map shows the Roanoke region of Virginia in emergency drought conditions in October 2026.
- Henrico Advances $304 Million East End Water Main to Cut Reliance on Richmond
Utilities to file 50 percent design next week on a 13-mile western-to-eastern transmission main after the January 2025 Richmond plant failure; construction targeted for 2028–2031.
- Judge Upholds Caroline County's Eminent Domain for Rappahannock Water Project
A Caroline Circuit Court judge ruled that the county properly exercised eminent domain to acquire 11 acres from farmer Cory Garrett for a Rappahannock River water intake facility.
- Virginia health committee considers mandating licensed nurses in every school
A newly proposed legislative measure would require all school districts in Virginia to employ a licensed nurse in every school.
- Prince William Votes 8-0 to End By-Right Data Center Development Countywide
Future projects will need special-use permits after supervisors settle on a 90-day grace period and leave residential setbacks for later hearings.
- Virginia Data Centers Point Past 60 GW as Bills, Water, and Diesel Costs Mount
Statewide impact study cites ~1,300 possible facilities, Dominion bill path toward $315, Loudoun’s billion-plus gallons, 8,910 generators, and PJM transmission skewed to data-center load under Democrat-era growth policy.
- Governor Spanberger Announces $23 Million in Grants for Community Development Across the Commonwealth
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced $22.7 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that will fund 17 community projects across Virginia.
- Loudoun County Board to Review Grant Initiative for Broad Run Farms Water Connections
Loudoun County, Virginia, is governed by a nine-member Board of Supervisors consisting of Chair At-Large Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Michael Turner of the Ashburn District, Juli Briskman of the Algonkian District, Sylvia Glass of the Broad Run District, Caleb Kershner of the Catoctin District, Matthew Letourneau of the Dulles District, Kristen Umstattd of the Leesburg District, Laura TeKrony of the Little River District, and Koran Saines of the Sterling District.
- Central Virginia Lined Up for 290+ Data Centers — Spreading Loudoun’s Fight Down the I-95 Corridor
Unconstrained Demand says Central Virginia expects 290-plus campuses that would rival Northern Virginia’s hubs, with statewide tallies near 1,300 facilities and 390 million square feet as Democrat recruitment goes statewide.
- Virginia’s Data-Center Boom Runs on Water and Diesel: Loudoun’s Billion Gallons and 8,910 Generators
Unconstrained Demand tallies Loudoun data centers above 1 billion gallons of water in 2023, statewide use above 2.1 billion, and 8,910 mostly Tier 2 diesel generators permitted for up to 500 hours a year.
- Abigail Spanberger Signs Executive Order 22 on Data Center Accountability and AI Task Force
Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Executive Order 22 and 2027 legislative slate target NDAs, local approval for large loads, noise and backup power, and an AI task force—without a statewide moratorium.
- Dinwiddie Residents Grill Haven Oak Data-Center Developers on Water, Power, and Battlefield Land
Tract’s ~1,000-acre campus proposal draws sharp Q&A at VSU as the company pivots to closed-loop cooling and drops buildings over a Civil War battlefield core.
- Virginia Faces $1.7 Billion Highway Maintenance Funding Gap
Virginia transportation officials are confronting a projected $1.7 billion gap in highway maintenance as costs rise and older roads, bridges and drainage systems require more work.
- Spanberger presents slate of data center regulation proposals, puts first directives in motion
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22 on Friday, Sept. 18 to kick off her data center regulation package.
- Warner, Kaine and Local Candidates Push to End NDAs on Data Center Deals
Senators urge voters to put officials on the record as secrecy surrounds projects like Wood Haven Technology Park.
- Wittman and Taylor Clash in VA-01 as National Spotlight Hits Virginia Midterms
Healthcare votes, H.R. 1 fallout and data-center costs define a district Trump won in 2024 but Spanberger carried in 2025.
- Prince William Supervisors Unanimously Block $300M Vint Hill Switching Station
Board denies Dominion special use permit after residents and supervisors say the utility failed to clarify data-center loads near Braemar and Vint Hill housing.
- The battle over data centers isn’t just about data centers, but they’re the battleground we have.
Marvell data center in Culpeper County, Virginia.
- With United States House control hanging in the balance, Wittman faces Taylor in contentious Virginia-01 race
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, left, is running for reelection in Virginia's 1st Congressional District, as Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor aims to unseat him.
- Data Center Fight Moves Into Greater Richmond as 17 Campuses Advance Across Eight Counties
Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Dinwiddie hearings fill with water, power, and tax-base arguments while Spanberger’s September directives and moratorium petitions set the statewide backdrop.
- Virginia Panel Advances Plan for a Licensed Nurse in Every School by 2028
School Health Services Committee backs a nurse-per-building or per-325-students rule with two-year hiring waivers; November 18 vote would send the proposal to the 2027 General Assembly.
- Abigail Spanberger Urges Congress to Police Artificial Intelligence Risks to Privacy, Jobs, and Resources
The governor’s September 22 letter to House and Senate leaders seeks federal guardrails as Virginia advances Executive Order 22 and data-center accountability rules.
- Data Center Development Could Triple Energy Demand if Unconstrained
On Monday, the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission published its long-awaited Report about data centers.
- Virginia Lawmakers Press for Tighter Oversight of Data Center Growth
A Virginia congressional proposal would give local governments more tools to manage data center growth, including clearer rules for electricity demand, water use and community impacts.
- Lynchburg City Council returns from its summer break to discuss the budget and meeting rules
The Lynchburg City Council will return from its seven-week break for a Tuesday work session and a general meeting.
- Chesapeake Bay Ospreys Endure Their Worst Breeding Season on Record
Researchers say osprey nests around the Chesapeake Bay produced fewer young than ever recorded, raising new questions about heat, drought, storms and food supplies.
- Richmond Secures 32.8 Million in State Funds for Water Plant Filter Upgrades
A regional water workgroup boosted the city's treatment-plant project by $12.8 million over the baseline grant.
- Virginia’s federal lawmakers lock in on regulating data centers
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, both Virginia-based Democrats, have introduced legislation targeting the data center industry.
- Dominion Pitches Three Gigawatt Gas Plant for Cumberland County
Residents packed a school cafeteria to hear details on a proposed plant that would rank among the nation's largest.