Category: The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Virginia returned to a regional carbon market this summer with allowance prices about 153% higher than when the commonwealth last participated, increasing the cost of emissions allowances utilities can seek to recover from electric customers. The Energy Commission of Virginia’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative subcommittee reviewed allowance prices Monday, along with…

(The Center Square) – TThe Department of Transportation on Monday launched an AI-enhanced air traffic control system to cut flight delays, part of a $12.5 billion federal push to replace aging infrastructure, with gradual improvement expected by summer 2027. The new system, funded by an investment from Congress in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” builds…

(The Center Square) – Virginia’s new data center accountability framework limits some state assistance and proposes shifting more infrastructure costs to the industry as reported tax benefits for data center operators rose nearly 50% to $1.9 billion in fiscal 2025. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22 on Friday as part of the framework, which…

(The Center Square) – Virginia’s record-setting diesel prices increased to $6.35 a gallon Friday. The overnight rise was 4 cents. A week ago, it was $5.99; one month ago was $5.50; and a year ago it was $3.60. The increases are 6% in a week, 15.5% in a month, and 76.4% in a year. Friday’s…

(The Center Square) – Virginia ranks 35th in a new 50-state Medicaid scorecard ahead of federal work requirements and more frequent eligibility reviews beginning next year. The Heartland Institute gave Virginia 39 out of 100 points in its Medicaid Report Card, which evaluates states across 16 measures involving enrollment, spending, program integrity and the healthcare…

(The Center Square) – Virginia farmers are facing an estimated 500,000-ton hay shortage after prolonged drought cut statewide yields, leaving livestock producers searching for additional feed ahead of winter. First-year Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared an emergency Wednesday that will temporarily ease transportation restrictions on hay shipments beginning Oct. 1. The shortage is equal to…

(The Center Square) – Fairfax County Public Schools guidance for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks told educators not to associate the attacks with Islam or Muslims, while also directing teachers to identify al-Qaida as the terrorist organization responsible. A seven-page copy of the guidance reviewed by The Center Square includes recommendations for…

(The Center Square) – Virginia is beginning enforcement of a new firearm industry law, with first-term Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones creating a unit to investigate manufacturers, sellers and other industry members and bring civil cases under powers that took effect July 1. Jones announced the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit, known as the…

(The Center Square) – Virginia voters can begin casting ballots Friday ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, which includes races for U.S. Senate, all 11 U.S. House seats and three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution. Early in-person voting continues through Oct. 31, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. The ballot also includes…

(The Center Square) – Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy are offering Virginia customers more bill relief and promising new jobs and investment as they seek approval for their proposed merger. The companies announced Monday they want to extend $10 monthly residential bill credits from two years to four years. They also added commitments for low-income…