Charles Paullin

With a Lock on State Government Control, Virginia Democrats Now Face Difficult Decisions on Data Centers and Renewable Energy - Inside Climate News After big wins on election night, Democrats will have to decide whether easing requirements in the state’s ambitious climate law will be necessary to maintain Virginia’s status as the “data center cap...

Democrats in Virginia won trifecta control of state government.

A lot of action is expected to happen in the next session in 2026.

One of the questions before lawmakers: keep with clean energy goals on the books, or ease them for a little more gas?

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In Virginia, Voters Head to the Polls Hot Over Data Centers, Solar Facilities and Rising Electric Bills - Inside Climate News Virginia, birthplace of the Internet, has more data centers than anywhere else in the world, bringing in billions in tax revenues. But continued data center development is forcing electric rates up, a...

More background on what Virginia voters are weighing today in the energy and environmental world:

insideclimatenews.org/news/0311202... (3/3)

Outside the polling location this morning, Charles Sparks, 45, voted Democrat, saying, "fossil fuels suck, I hate them."

Joshua Miller, 46, voted Republican, saying he supports a clean energy transition, but "not like we got to be entirely solar by 2030. Not as fast." (2/3)

The location of Dominion's proposed gas peaker plant in Chesterfield County is within the Elizabeth Scott voting precinct.

There, Harris received about 52% of the votes in 2024.

There, incumbent GOP Del. Carrie Coyner is facing a challenge from Dem. Lindsey Dougherty. (1/3)

In Virginia, Voters Head to the Polls Hot Over Data Centers, Solar Facilities and Rising Electric Bills - Inside Climate News Virginia, birthplace of the Internet, has more data centers than anywhere else in the world, bringing in billions in tax revenues. But continued data center development is forcing electric rates up, a...

Virginia voters will hit the polls tomorrow with electricity bills, data centers and renewable energy front of mind.

One potential outcome? A Democratic triefcta control with questions over a commitment to the state's decarbonization law.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0311202...

CSX Train Derailment in Virginia Puts Chickahominy River at Risk - Inside Climate News A train derailment last Saturday dumped coal and diesel fuel into wetlands near the Chickahimony River in Virginia, and nearby residents and environmentalists worry that the contaminants could flow in...

A CSX train carrying coal from West Virginia to Newport News, Virginia derailed just past Richmond in New Kent County.

About 4,000 tons of coal and 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into wetlands near the Chickahominy River.

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Four Governors Whose States Rely on PJM Want Data Centers to Guarantee Their Own Power - Inside Climate News The governors are exploring fast track approval for data centers that agree to deliver dependable power to the grid as part of the connection process.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin signed onto a joint proposal with the Data Center Coalition, 3 other governors wanting the regional grid operator to fast track approvals of data centers that bring their own electricity generation, or BYOG.

Rambo has the details:

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In the Outer Banks, 12 Homes Have Collapsed Into the Sea Since September - Inside Climate News A growing number of homes are getting swallowed by the sea in the Outer Banks islands of North Carolina. Local governments and homeowners are at a crossroads.

My colleague @kileyprice.bsky.social writes a weekly newsletter about the latest on climate events.

This one was about houses collapsing on Hatteras Island, where I was last week for a few fay days off.

More homes have fallen today.

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How Did This State Become the Data Center Capital of the World? - Inside Climate News From America Online to the rise of AI, Virginia has been good for an industry now transforming the economy and grid. Has the industry returned the favor?

Virginia holds the title of data center capital of the world.

How did that happen?

My colleague @dangearino.bsky.social and I asked the question. Here's some answers.

insideclimatenews.org/news/2610202...

A Pro-Dominion Grassroots Group Has Financial Ties—to Dominion - Inside Climate News Supporters of the Virginia Energy Reliability Alliance were out in force at an air permit hearing last month for the utility’s controversial natural gas “peaker” plant in Chesterfield County. Dominion...

The project has also received support from Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, a Democrat who's top donor is Dominion. Del. Jason Ballard, another Dominion funded representative, was seen with VERA supporters. (2/2)

insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...

A Pro-Dominion Grassroots Group Has Financial Ties—to Dominion - Inside Climate News Supporters of the Virginia Energy Reliability Alliance were out in force at an air permit hearing last month for the utility’s controversial natural gas “peaker” plant in Chesterfield County. Dominion...

There's been some people showing up to support Dominion's proposed natural gas peaker plant at air permit hearings.

The group, the Virginia Energy Reliability Alliance, has financial backing from the utility. (1/2)

insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...

Gas Plant That’s Part of PJM’s Fast-Tracked Process Is Getting Pushback in Virginia  - Inside Climate News Tenaska’s 1.5 gigawatt proposal would be part of the reliability resource initiative for “shovel-ready, high-reliability” projects.

Tenaska is proposing a new 1.5 GW gas plant in Fluvanna County as part of PJM's fast tracked process to get more electricity onto the grid to serve data centers.

The planning commission said hold up.

insideclimatenews.org/news/1810202...

Pink-Slime Journalism, October Surprises, and a Clean Energy Summit

Thanks to Michael Pope, VPAP and @vpm.org for the appearance on the Virginia Press Room with Karri Peifer and Joe Dodson

Spoiler alert, Karri and Joe share insights worth following, as always. Now, on Pink-Slime and a Miyares investigation:

open.spotify.com/episode/5dTq...

Earlier this year, the Virginia legislature passed only a handful of 33 unique bills on data center development in the state.

My colleague Deep Vakil and I took a deep dive on what the bills aimed to do and why they failed.

Graphic c/o Paul Horn.

insideclimatenews.org/news/3009202...

Virginia Could Show How to Manage Data Center Growth. So Far, It’s a Case Study in Stalling Legislation - Inside Climate News The state with the most data centers is struggling to enact laws to protect electric customers and limit the energy and environmental impacts of their explosive growth.

It happened several months ago, but the Virginia legislature this year passed only a handful of bills on data center development in the state.

My colleague @thedeepvakil and I took a deep dive on what 33 unique bills aimed to do and why they failed.

insideclimatenews.org/news/3009202...

Citing the Need for ‘Significant Reform,’ Pennsylvania’s Governor Threatens to Pull the State Out of the Region’s Power Grid - Inside Climate News As the largest energy producer in the 13-state system, its exit would ripple through the region.

Yesterday, Govs. Shapiro, Youngkin, Moore and Murphy demanded reforms within PJM.

Studies on leaving the regional grid will likely show, "...there’s probably not enough benefit to justify the potential risks," said Jon Gordon with Advanced Energy United.

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Dominion’s Proposed Peaker Plant Flouts Environmental Justice, Community Says - Inside Climate News The utility’s environmental justice analysis lacks community health data, according to attorneys representing affected residents.

Duane Brankley lives 1.5 miles from a former coal plant. He remembers needing to wash ash off his roof and walkways as a kid.

Now, he could be exposed to a fine carcinogen if Dominion gets its wish to build natural gas units where an old coal one ran.

insideclimatenews.org/news/1809202...

Advocacy Groups Appeal Dismissal of Case Over Trump’s Cancellation of Environmental Justice Grants - Inside Climate News Twenty-three nonprofit environmental justice groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center filed notice on Tuesday that they will appeal a U.S. District Court judge’s dismissal of their ...

Environmental groups expected some funding for projects, including five in Southwest Virginia, to increase resiliency.

Trump canceled the program, and a judge dismissed a lawsuit to restore the grants. The groups are now appealing the ruling.

insideclimatenews.org/news/1709202...

Human-Caused Warming Tripled the Death Toll of European Heat Waves This Summer, New Report Shows - Inside Climate News Public health researchers struggle to track the accelerating pace of global warming impacts.

Extreme, deadly heat doesn't care about politics. Social-democratic Spain and neo-fascist Italy were hardest hit by this summer's heatwave, both suffering 1000s of casualties to human-caused global warming.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1709202...

The Whimbrel and the Wind Turbines: Capable of Coexistence? - Inside Climate News The Nature Conservancy and the College of William and Mary are researching potential conflicts with Dominion Energy’s offshore wind project.

Trump is halting offshore wind projects amid claims the tech harms birds.

Dominion's project is still under construction. Researchers found 6.8% of southbound and 4.7% of northbound tracked Whimbrel's could fly through turbines' spinning blades.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0809202...

Dominion Energy and Big Tech Maneuver Over Pivotal Rate Decision in Virginia - Inside Climate News Virginia’s largest utility is requesting a rate increase during regulatory hearings that will help to decide how data centers compensate for their outsized use of electricity in the state.

Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility serving what's called the data center capital of the world, and big tech like Amazon, Google and Microsoft are sparing over new rates.

Hanging in the balance? A $20 monthly bill increase for typical households.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...

Google Expands Data Center Investment in Virginia, Doesn’t Share Site Specifics - Inside Climate News Considered the data center capital of the world, Virginia will see more of big-tech’s energy, water-intensive facilities.

Google, Gov. Youngkin announced a $9 billion investment in the state, including a data center in Chesterfield County in Central Va.

The size, construction timeline are unknown. There are also questions around its water use.

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Virginia Regulator Approves Electricity Transmission Line and Towers in Alexandria to Serve One Proposed Data Center - Inside Climate News Commission approves new high-voltage project and rejects complaints from homeowners that the substation will be too close to the Bren Pointe community.

“In our mind, it makes it even more important for the General Assembly of Virginia to really take action,” Tyler Ray, president of the Bren Pointe Homeowners Association, said. “It’s clear under the current statute that residents are at risk.”

insideclimatenews.org/news/2008202...

Dominion Changes Its Answer—Admitting There Was No Independent Review–On Key Application For Natural Gas Plant - Inside Climate News Months ago, the utility said it used an outside monitor to review its bid process for a gas plant in Chesterfield. Now it said that never happened.

Dominion said in its application for a gas peaker plant in Va that it used an independent monitor to review bids for the project. Then it said it didn't.

In 2019, a utility employee colluded with a company during a bid process that undercut other offers.

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Environmental Groups, EPA Spar In Court Over Trump’s Cancellation of Resiliency Funding - Inside Climate News WASHINGTON—Last month, the town of Dante in Southwest Virginia’s Appalachia region saw about 3.5 inches of rainfall over a couple of hours. The heavy downpour ran off the steep mountainside surroundin...

Attorneys for environmental groups and the EPA argued in court yesterday whether Trump's orders lawfully canceled $3 billion in grants to fund resiliency projects.

Some money went to SW Va, which saw 3.5 inches of rain lead to flooding and injuries in July.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0608202...

Virginia expands rural broadband with fiber focus - Virginia Business Virginia leads U.S. in rural broadband, but fiber focus fades amid satellite

Virginia's been deploying broadband in rural areas for a few years. The work has overcome obstacles, and now faces changes from the Trump administration as the hardest-to-reach areas remain to be served.

Via Virginia Business.

virginiabusiness.com/virginia-rur...

Cumberland County approves landfill project over community opposition The county is set to receive an influx of payments amid residents’ concerns over environmental protections.

ICYMI: Cumberland County approved a landfill last week despite residents' concerns over potential harms to Black cultural, historic resources and well water sources.

Via @cardinalnews.org

cardinalnews.org/2025/07/31/c...

Virginia’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Embraces Renewables, Natural Gas and Community Planning for Data Centers - Inside Climate News Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger strikes a different tone than the current Republican administration and wants to expand energy possibilities.

The Democractic candidate for governor of Virginia, @abigailspanberger.com, has a lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the polls, fundraising.

Her platform embraces renewables, natural gas and data centers paying their fare share for grid upgrades.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0308202...

Layoffs, Votes of No Confidence and a Leader on Leave at One of the Nation’s Oldest Environmental Groups - Inside Climate News After mounting pressure from staff, managers and volunteers, the Sierra Club put executive director Ben Jealous on leave this month.

Layoffs, Votes of No Confidence and a Leader on Leave at One of the Nation’s Oldest Environmental Groups insideclimatenews.org/news/2507202...

Journalism, Propaganda and Climate Change - Inside Climate News Can we flood the zone with truth?

Journalism, Propaganda and Climate Change insideclimatenews.org/news/2307202...