Virginia

Solar

Virginia to become second state that allows balcony solar

Residents of the state will soon be able to use the tech to lower their electricity bills. Gov. Spanberger has made affordability a top legislative priority.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 12 March 2026
Transmission

Virginia to utilities: Do more with the existing power grid

Amid rising energy costs, the state just passed a first-of-a-kind bill that would force utilities to quantify and examine ways to reduce waste on the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 3 March 2026
Solar

Most of Virginia restricts solar farms. Lawmakers want to change that.

As more counties effectively shut out utility-scale solar, the legislature is advancing a measure that would block blanket bans and establish siting standards.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 February 2026
Batteries

PJM’s power-starved grid will finally get a big battery this year

Elevate Renewables just acquired a major energy storage project near Virginia’s “Data Center Alley” and plans to get it running by this summer.

By Julian Spector . 15 January 2026
Clean energy

Clean energy will take center stage in Virginia’s legislature this year

The state’s 60-day legislative session starts this week. Lawmakers will consider bills that tap clean energy to alleviate data center and affordability challenges.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 12 January 2026
Batteries

Small but mighty grid batteries take root in Virginia amid energy crunch

As data centers strain the grid, developers are turning to fast-to-build batteries that can reduce reliance on inefficient gas plants and cut household bills.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 November 2025
Politics

Rising electric bills helped spur a Democratic upset in rural Virginia

Fossil fuels and transmission fees are driving up utility bills in southwest Virginia. New state lawmakers like Lily Franklin can help fix that.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 12 November 2025
Politics

Virginia scored the election’s biggest climate win

The data-center capital of the world elected a Democratic governor and strengthened its House Democratic majority. Will they save its landmark clean energy law?

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 7 November 2025
Politics

The key elections to watch for energy and climate

Rising power bills, offshore wind, and data centers are all hot topics in these elections happening next week.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 31 October 2025
Policy & regulation

Virginia legislators have a new road map for reining in electric bills

Containing rising power rates is easier said than done for candidates campaigning on the issue. A recent study details how to do it once they’re elected.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 31 October 2025