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Dominion Energy proposes hefty rate hikes
Fortune 500 utility Dominion Energy is proposing a fuel rate increase and additional base rate increases which, if approved, could raise monthly power bills for average residential customers by as much as $21.43 by 2027. The Richmond-based utility proposed new base and fuel rates in separate filings with the Virginia State Corporation Commission on Monday. […]
Lawmakers grapple with Virginia’s increasing energy demand
Virginia faces a dilemma. Data center developers are clamoring to build in Virginia with the sort of zeal typically reserved for hipsters attempting to win admittance into secret speakeasies. Residents of some Virginia localities have fought mightily against data center growth, citing environmental concerns and increased demand for electricity, and county and state politicians have […]
Copper prices have soared as the US threatens tariffs on the metal and China boosts its economy
NEW YORK (AP) — Copper prices have hit record highs as an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and its key trading partners threatens to squeeze supplies of the vital metal. Buyers in the U.S. have been stocking up on copper ahead of potential tariffs. Future prices for the base metal hit $5.21 per pound […]
Cooling equipment manufacturer plans $29.9M expansion in Botetourt
Munters, an air treatment and climate control solutions company with its global headquarters in Sweden, plans to invest $29.95 million on a 200,000-square-foot expansion of its HVAC manufacturing facility in Botetourt County, according to a Tuesday announcement by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The new manufacturing facility, which will be devoted to data center cooling solutions, will […]
U.Va. eyes $72M replacement data center
The University of Virginia’s data center is nearing its maximum capacity. So, school leaders think it’s time to build a new one, estimated to cost $72 million, to aid faculty and researchers in their work. “We can already see that our researchers are experiencing significant delays in their ability to access the computational resources,” Kelly […]
Loudoun County supervisors shake up data center regulations
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved major changes on Tuesday night to how the county regulates data centers, eliminating them as a by-right use. The board voted 7-2 to alter the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance, with supervisors Kristen Umstattd and Caleb Kershner making the dissenting votes. The comprehensive plan amendment makes data […]
Huge data center campus planned for Charles City County
Kansas-based development company Diode Ventures is planning a massive data center campus in Charles City County, about 20 miles outside of Richmond, that is estimated to create 50 to 100 full-time jobs. The company has submitted an application to the county’s planning commission and board of supervisors to rezone five properties totaling about 515 acres […]
Google to buy cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32B in largest deal in company’s history
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google has struck a deal to buy cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in what would be the tech giant’s biggest-ever acquisition at the same time it’s facing a potential breakup of its internet empire. The proposed takeover announced Tuesday is part of Google’s aggressive expansion into cloud computing during an artificial intelligence boom. The [&hell[...]
Why let Big Tech destroy our climate?
As the globe struggles to meet current climate goals, a new threat is emerging. The threat is coming from Big Tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google) and Meta (Facebook). Together, these companies represent a sector that dominates the market. At $3.6 trillion, Apple is now seven times the size of ExxonMobil, the nation’s […]
Loudoun County advances changes to data center regulations
Loudoun County has 117 data centers in the pipeline, but its Board of Supervisors is considering substantial changes to how the county regulates the booming industry due to growing concerns from residents. A board vote this week moved the issue forward, with a second vote expected in March to deal with expectations for pending data […]
Trump’s steel, aluminum tariffs could impact Va. economy
President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports Monday. Now, the world waits to see what impact they will have. “If you look at the behavior of investors, investors are signaling again that they don’t believe these tariffs will be long-lived,” said Bob McNab, chair of Old Dominion University’s Department of Economics […]
What to expect from the 2025 Va. General Assembly
The General Assembly enters the fourth year in the gubernatorial cycle with even more gridlock than usual. Democrats hold narrow majorities in both the House of Delegates and Senate, but are vulnerable to vetoes by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who begins the final year of his constitutionally mandated single term. Hopes for bipartisan compromise were […]
