Category: The Center Square
Botetourt approves Google review panel
(The Center Square) – Botetourt County supervisors in Virginia voted Tuesday to create an independent commission to review the proposed Google data center after hours of public comment over who should lead the study and what questions it should answer. The measure passed 3-1, with Supervisors Walter Michael, Brandon Nicely and Tim Snyder voting in…
Virginia gun ban litigation enters next phase
(The Center Square) – More than a week after a statewide injunction halted enforcement of Virginia’s new assault weapons ban, parts of the legal fight have entered a holding pattern as state and federal courts await guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court. The statewide injunction took effect July 21 after Washington County Circuit Judge Jeffrey…
Harrisonburg ends contract with Flock
(The Center Square) – Harrisonburg City Council voted Tuesday to remove the city’s fixed automatic license plate recognition cameras, end its contract with Flock Group Inc., and require council approval before similar systems can be installed in the future. The resolution passed 4-0 and directs city staff to terminate the contract, stop using the city’s…
Dominion merger review draws new scrutiny
(The Center Square) – Virginia’s review of NextEra Energy’s proposed acquisition of Dominion Energy continues to expand as consumer advocates, environmental groups and state officials press regulators over the $67 billion deal. Since Dominion and NextEra filed their joint application with the State Corporation Commission on July 15, the case has expanded beyond the companies’…
Virginia joins Democrat-led lawsuit against FEMA, Homeland Security
(The Center Square) – Virginia is a participant in litigation seeking relief from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security as the federal departments withhold money states use to fund counterterrorism and disaster response efforts. Virginia in 2023 received $8.7 million through the Homeland Security Grant Program and the Emergency Management Performance Grant. The federal…
Loudon County considers pause before final data center regulations are ready
(The Center Square) – Loudon County could be added to the list of jurisdictions in data center-rich Virginia that is creating a pause on their creation. In Wednesday’s meeting of the nine-member governing body of the county, Democratic Supervisor Juli Briskman requested a way to enact a moratorium on applications. The Board of Supervisors in…
Future regional power supply down, but not out
(The Center Square) – Shrinking power supply remains a challenge according to the grid operator’s most recent capacity auction, signaling that regional utility bills could still climb, albeit more slowly, as demand for electricity grows faster than can be provided. PJM, the organization tasked with managing the flow of power for 67 million people across…
Carolina, Virginia Tech chosen for fellowship program by War Department
(The Center Square) – Carolina and Virginia Tech have succeeded Ivy League institutions War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth says are “woke breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination” in being chosen for a fellowship program for senior military officers. The 10-month professional military education program, known as the Senior Service College Fellowship, is an alternative to education…
Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote
(The Center Square) – More than four months later, federal legislation from a North Carolina congressman addressing nondomiciled commercial drivers remains stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives. A trucking industry group tells Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., it’s time for a vote on the House floor. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Motor Carrier…
Governor, economic leaders in Europe
(The Center Square) – Strengthening relationships with international employers, attracting new business investment and expanding economic opportunity in Virginia is the goal of a European trip this week by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The first-year Democrat is journeying to the United Kingdom, Italy and France. Footprints are already in Virginia for BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce from…
