Virginia

Fossil fuels

Virginia kept its climate law. Dominion sees a loophole.

To power data centers, the state’s largest utility is proposing a massive 3-gigawatt gas plant that tests the limits of the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

By Elizabeth Ouzts .

9 September 2026

Overhead shot of power plant and coal ash — Dominion Energy wants to build a gas facility near its Chesterfield Power Station in Chester, Virginia, seen here in 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Solar

A Virginia school district pioneers solar and battery microgrids

Roanoke City Public Schools is building the state’s first solar-plus-storage systems to keep emergency shelters going during extreme weather and cut down on costs.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 8 September 2026
Solar

Virginia to cut rooftop solar costs with nation-first bulk-buy program

Teaming up to buy solar can get residents deep discounts. Virginia is the first to try a statewide campaign as utility bills rise and data centers stress the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 31 August 2026
Food and farms

Virginia lays groundwork to combine more solar with farming

A new state law aims to spur agrivoltaics projects where crops or livestock thrive amid solar panels, as AI power demand booms and concerns about farmland loss rise.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 3 August 2026
Data centers

Virginia slaps data centers with big new tax — but no climate rules

The state’s Democratic trifecta couldn’t agree on clean energy or air-quality reforms in time for the budget, which passed this week after months of negotiation.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 23 June 2026
Solar

Thanks to two new laws, more Virginians can save with community solar

The legislation expands subscription-based solar farms from 250 to 875 megawatts and is the product of the state’s “new affordability politics."

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 June 2026
Utilities

NextEra Energy wants to buy its way into Data Center Alley

The utility’s proposed merger with Dominion Energy would connect it with data center-rich Virginia. Consumer and clean energy advocates are wary.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 22 May 2026
Emissions reduction

Can a carbon price lower power bills? Virginia is betting yes.

With power demand from data centers skyrocketing, the state is rejoining a regional climate initiative.

By Jake Bittle . 5 May 2026
Batteries

For cheaper power, Virginia’s local utilities build small grid batteries

Rural co-ops and a city utility will save big with a collection of 5-MW batteries, which are easier to site and faster to get up and running than megaprojects.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 4 May 2026
Solar

Virginia’s new law blocks counties from banning solar

Two-thirds of the state’s counties ban or heavily limit solar. Now, those blanket restrictions are going away, though counties can still bar individual projects.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 28 April 2026
Clean energy

Virginia set to enact a flurry of laws boosting cleaner, cheaper power

Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign bills promoting solar power, batteries, grid tech, and, above all, affordability.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 March 2026