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Sierra Club’s Virginia chapter says data center growth is unsustainable
In a new report, the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter said business as usual on data centers is unsustainable. Lead author and researcher Ann Bennett used publicly available data on existing facilities, as well as those under construction or proposed to be built. She said that wasn’t an easy task because data was not available for all facilities due to a lack of transparency from developers and state and local governments. The Sierra Club’s estimate of total data center square footage either built or in the development pipeline is roughly 390,000,000 square feet, split among 1,295 facilities.
‘Option C’ for new Rappahannock River crossing gets regional endorsement
The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s policy committee voted 9-1 on Monday night in favor of “Option C” for a new road and bridge over the Rappahannock River. The road would run from Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County, cross the river west of the quarry and connect with Gordon Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg from the west. FAMPO, a regional transportation planning body, has been studying the proposed construction of a river crossing west of Interstate 95 for more than a year.
Texts show Richmond officials reversing course on boil water advisory
In the early morning hours of May 27, officials knew they would likely have to issue Richmond’s second boil advisory of the year due to collapsing water pressure, text messages obtained by The Times-Dispatch show. When contacted by The Times-Dispatch that morning, they said that overnight issues at the city’s water treatment plant hadn’t been serious enough to necessitate the notice — despite the internal communications to the contrary. Three hours later, they backtracked and warned Richmond residents in large swaths of the city against consuming the tap water without boiling it.
Warner: Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ could make it more expensive to fly in and out of DC area
The Senate continues to work on what’s been dubbed the president’s “big, beautiful bill” this week. It’s a massive tax and spending plan hitting several parts of the federal government. And in recent weeks, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has landed on the GOP’s radar. It’s all of 17 lines out of 33 pages from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, but it orders the federal government to renegotiate the lease it has with MWAA — leases that were just signed last year and run through the year 2100.
Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. to invest $46M in Virginia Beach expansion
Virginia Beach-based Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. will invest $45.8 million to expand its operations, with plans to add 350 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. Acoustical Sheetmetal is a manufacturer of steel and aluminum enclosures for the power generation industry, providing on-site power integration for large-scale data centers. It plans to build an additional 250,000-square-foot building and add significant machinery on 21.1 acres of land it purchased at the Virginia Beach Innovation Park from the City of Virginia Beach.
Federal judge to consider revival of Virginia Beach election lawsuit
A federal lawsuit that led the city to change to its election system is once again in play as Virginia Beach prepares to hold a referendum vote on how it elects its City Council and School Board members. On Monday, Judge Raymond Jackson, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, rescinded his previous dismissal of the Holloway v. City of Virginia Beach case and plans to issue a memorandum and opinion on the matter later this week.
Spanberger to launch 40-stop bus tour across Virginia
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, is launching a 40-plus-stop, eight-day bus tour across Virginia in her campaign for governor, beginning on Saturday in Richmond and ending on June 28 in Virginia Beach. Spanberger, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, expects to appear at several campaign stops with her running mates, once voters determine the party nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general in primary elections on Tuesday.
States’ $7.4B settlement with Purdue Pharma nears closure
Fifty-five attorneys general have agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, the Virginia attorney general’s office announced Monday. If the settlement is approved by the federal bankruptcy court, Virginia would receive up to $103.8 million over the next 15 years. According to state Attorney General Jason Miyares‘ statement, the Sackler family has “indicated its plan to proceed with the settlement,” allowing them to resolve litigation for Purdue’s alleged role in causing widespread opioid abuse.
A look back at the first 6 months of Caesars Virginia in Danville: More revenue, more visitors, more jobs
It’s been half a year since Caesars Virginia opened its doors in Danville, becoming one of the first casino resorts in the state. The grand opening on Dec. 17 took the city from having a temporary casino to having a full-scale resort — and everything that comes along with it. Running the resort is a whole different ballgame than operating the semi-permanent tent that housed the temporary casino, said Caesars Virginia General Manager Chris Albrecht. “It’s a much larger operation,” Albrecht said. “[The temporary facility] was a very focused gaming experience. Now you’re dealing with the complexity of hotel guests, higher-end restaurants and concerts.”
Louisa County landowner caught up in solar farm regulation debate
A landowner in Louisa County is tangled up in disputes over how her land should be developed, reflecting an ongoing debate over the state’s role in solar energy development in rural areas. She wants a solar project to be built on her property, but local authorities want her land to stay agricultural use-only. Two years into the process she’s still waiting for a resolution, as legislation addressing solar ordinances, which could help mitigate the situation, failed again in the General Assembly this year.