Shannon Heckt

Virginia joins Chesapeake Bay states, D.C. in new watershed agreement • Virginia Mercury Officials enacted a new, 15-year agreement to reduce pollution, build habitats, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia joined in on the refreshed Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement aimed at reducing pollution, growing habitats, and educating the public on the environment #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/12/03/4...

SCC approves Chesterfield gas plant and Dominion rate hike, creates new rate class for data centers • Virginia Mercury Dominion Energy was handed two major approvals from the State Corporation Commission on Tuesday after the board OK’d the controversial Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center as well as the utility’s n...

NEW: The SCC handed down approvals for Dominion's proposed Chesterfield gas plant and a based increase to utility bills -- which includes a new rate class for data centers. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/25/s...

Va. House Democrats make energy efficiency a key priority for legislative session • Virginia Mercury Lawmakers have filed bills to create an energy efficiency task force and to mandate utilities give qualified customers efficiency upgrades by 2031.

House Dems put two bills focused on energy efficiency on their priority list for the 2026 General Assembly Session. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/25/v...

Virginia communities push back against sewage sludge on agricultural land as PFAS concerns grow • Virginia Mercury As worry mounts about health risks from exposure to ‘forever chemicals,’ Virginia communities push for testing and limits for biosolids.

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are ending up in wastewater — which is made into biosolids to be used as fertilizer on farms. Some communities in Virginia are worried about the health risks and are turning to lawmakers for help. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/24/v...

Flooding board recommends legislation aimed at fighting rising seas • Virginia Mercury Lawmakers are setting their priorities ahead of the next General Assembly session in January, which will begin days before a new governor takes office. As a new legislative era begins, climate issues ...

A board aimed at recurring flooding issues made recommendations for legislation the General Assembly could take up to address rising waters. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/briefs/flood...

Spanberger appoints energy policy transition team • Virginia Mercury A former SCC commissioner, Southern Environmental Law Center lawyer, and a Google lobbyist head up the start of the policy shift

Spanberger has put together a trio of a former SCC commissioner, an SELC attorney, and an attorney with ties to the renewable energy and data center industry to head her energy policy transition. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/18/s...

Former Gov. McAuliffe joins pro-natural gas group as national co-chair • Virginia Mercury Terry McAuliffe to promote natural gas as a route to long-term energy reliability as renewable energy sources are built out.

Former Gov. McAuliffe joins Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future as co-chair. The group is funded by the fossil fuel industry as a way to promote keeping gas power on the grid alongside renewable energy. #vagov #valeg

virginiamercury.com/briefs/forme...

Goochland approves tech overlay district after hours of resident backlash • Virginia Mercury Goochland County, home to just over 28,000 residents and more than two hours south of Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” is the latest locality to face intense community pushback over plans to l...

As the data center sprawl creeps out of Northern Virginia, local governments are looking for how to draw them in while residents push back. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/g...

With Democrats in charge, Spanberger targets lower energy bills — and higher costs for data centers • Virginia Mercury Fresh off a decisive election night, Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger is promising a sharp turn in Virginia’s energy policy.

With democrats in control, energy policies are expected to take new shape. Facing a looming energy crisis and new data centers popping up — the General Assembly is looking for solutions. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/07/e...

It’s finally Election Day, Virginia! Time to vote if you haven’t already #vagov

Orange County board asks state regulators to test biosolids for forever chemicals • Virginia Mercury Farmers nationwide often use biosolids — human waste that has been treated by wastewater facilities — as a cheaper, readily available fertilizer option for their soils. But there is a rising concern o...

In rural Virginia, communities are growing concerned with forever chemicals found in biosolids spread on farms as fertilizer. The state doesn’t test that waste for PFAS, which can cause a slew of health problems.

virginiamercury.com/briefs/orang...

Menhaden management board votes to reduce 2026 catch quota for entire East Coast • Virginia Mercury Conservation groups believe the move doesn’t go far enough, fisheries say it goes too far.

A menhaden management board has voted to reduce harvest caps for the entire east coast by 20% next year. There are also efforts to reduce the special Chesapeake Bay cap for the reduction fishery in Virginia. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/m...

As election nears, Democrats campaign on high utility bills, energy plans • Virginia Mercury Clean Virginia’s “The Energy Bills are Too Damn High” tour of the state stopped in Richmond Thursday night.

In the final days leading up to the election, Democrats are campaigning on how they want to address the skyrocketing utility bills. However, Republicans have differing ideas on how to meet energy demands. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/20/a...

Shots of Richmond VA No Kings before marching started

Waves of people march through Richmond for No Kings day protest

Youngkin touts Henrico firm powering Virginia’s data center boom • Virginia Mercury Governor highlights Hyper’s role in meeting surging demand for energy-efficient equipment as lawmakers weigh grid capacity and policy changes.

Henrico-based Hyper is looking to help shorten the supply chain for critical data center equipment. Meanwhile, lawmakers look at how to get data centers to help manage the energy demand. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/14/y...

GMU energy report shows need for education on energy projects, efficiency focus • Virginia Mercury George Mason University releases report on how Virginia could meet its renewable energy goals.

A study by GMU shows there needs to be better engagement with rural VA in order to meet VCEA goals and a bigger focus on energy efficiency. #vagov #valeg

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/g...

Study shows osprey chicks are starving; conservationists question connection to menhaden fishing • Virginia Mercury Osprey song the Chesapeake Bay are struggling to keep hatchlings alive. Some groups blame over-fishing, while fisheries blame environmental reasons.

Osprey chicks are starving -- some point to the lack of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. One fishery says they're not to blame. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/s...

Goochland nears approval of rezoning for data centers, power plants • Virginia Mercury Goochland County is considering a technology overlay district to incentivize data centers and small nuclear reactors to be built there.

The Goochland board of supervisors will have to decide if they want to create a technology overlay district that will incentivize data centers, peaker plants, and small modular reactors to be built there. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/briefs/gooch...

Case over proposed Chesterfield gas plant begins at SCC • Virginia Mercury It’s up to the SCC to decide if the Dominion Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC) is needed and reasonable for ratepayers to cover.

The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center has been a controversial project for central Virginia. The case is now being heard before the SCC for the commissioners to decide if it moves forward. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/25/c...

Hurricane Helene reshaped parts of Southwest Virginia’s landscape. New adaptations are underway. • Virginia Mercury The landscape has changed in parts of southwest Virginia following Hurricane Helene, leading recovery efforts to take some ingenuity.

The flood waters from Hurricane Helene reshaped some of the landscape on SWVA. The rebuild is taking some ingenuity and new tech to help prevent such destruction in the future. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/h...

In Damascus, business is down but hopes are high one year after Hurricane Helene • Virginia Mercury A year after Hurricane Helene battered southwest Virginia, the town of Damascus is coming back strong.

It’s been a year since Hurricane Helene ripped through SWVA. For the town of Damascus, they heavily rely on the VA Creeper Trail for business. With a major part still washed out — they’re turning to other features to draw people in. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/22/i...

Loudoun transmission line debate tees up SCC response to data center needs, resident concerns • Virginia Mercury Loudoun County community members are fighting against high voltage power lines being built in their backyards to supply data centers with more power.

The debate over high voltage power lines in a Loudoun neighborhood sets the stage for how the SCC plans to handle power demands and community concerns, especially around data centers. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/19/l...

Va. lawmakers weigh energy options for utilities to meet VCEA mandate, energy demand • Virginia Mercury As Virginia grapples with rapidly increasing energy demands and skyrocketing utility bills, a group of state lawmakers are looking deeper into energy efficiency, community solar, and energy storage.

Lawmakers are looking into energy efficiency, battery storage, and other technology as they consider legislation for next session. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-la...

Proposed Chesterfield gas plant draws community objections, industry support • Virginia Mercury Virginia officials slammed Dominion Energy’s proposed peaker gas plant slated to be built in Chesterfield at an air permit hearing Monday night, as community members and their representatives said the...

The proposed Chesterfield gas plant is drawing fierce opposition and support. The debate over energy demand vs environmental concerns continues #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/p...

On the record: Abigail Spanberger • Virginia Mercury Part two of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education, ...

The Virginia Mercury sat down with @SpanbergerForVA to hear her stances and policies. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/o...

On the record: Winsome Earle-Sears • Virginia Mercury Part one of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education, ...

The team here at the Virginia Mercury rounded up the details you need to know about the gubernatorial candidates on where they stand on the policies. Spanberger's On The Record will be published Tuesday. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/08/o...

Norfolk port project funding to be withdrawn amid federal cuts to offshore wind projects • Virginia Mercury Trump Administration announces millions of dollars in cuts to offshore wind projects with two major projects in Virginia, but one project has already spent all the money while another is underway.

Federal cuts have hit two Virginia offshore wind related projects. But one project is already done and spent -- while the other is hoping the money will be reinstated. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/05/n...

Dominion proposes higher utility rates, new rate class for data centers • Virginia Mercury Utility's planned rate hike would add $10.51 per month to residential customers' bills starting in 2027, while a separate fuel rate increase would add an average of $10.92 more per month.

Going on now: Dominion makes a pitch to the SCC to raise residential rates and create a new rate class for high load users -- like data centers. But the tech industry isn't all on board for the plan. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/d...

Va. governor candidates weigh in on Chesapeake Bay Foundation conservation goals • Virginia Mercury As the countdown to this fall’s high-stakes elections continues, advocates are calling on the next governor of Virginia and state lawmakers to continue efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay from pollu...

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has an action plan for whoever is the next governor on ways to Save the Bay. I took a look at how each candidate has campaigned about certain issues. #vagov #valeg

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/02/v...