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Menhaden are forage fish species and filter feeders, each capable of filtering up to seven gallons of water per minute. (Photo of female Osprey with Menhaden/TRCP)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries

In Virginia's waters, the decline of a small but critically important fish is causing growing concern among conservation groups and fishermen alike…

Data from the Electric School Bus Initiative finds Virginia is one of the top states to own and purchase clean school buses. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Virginia kids are heading back to school in a more environmentally friendly way. School districts and counties statewide are making the switch to …

Los datos de la Electric School Bus Initiative encuentran que Virginia es uno de los principales estados en poseer y comprar autobuses escolares limpios. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

En VA más distritos escolares adoptan autobuses limpios

Los niños de Virginia regresan a la escuela de una manera más amigable con el medio ambiente. Los distritos escolares y los condados de …

Solar energy costs far less than fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency finds utility-level solar costs about $20 per unit less to produce than natural gas. (Adobe Stock)

Misinformation prevents VA from reaping solar-energy benefits

Although most Virginians support and prefer solar energy, misinformation is keeping more of it from being built. Several counties and cities have …

The Interior Department says it will hold more lease sales in the Central Atlantic in 2026. (Twixter/Adobe Stock)

Offshore wind industry gains momentum in VA

Virginia's Dominion Energy has won a lease to continue growing its offshore wind portfolio near Virginia's coast. The move is expected to grow the …

Data centers could need about 9% of the nation's electricity generation by 2030, about double what the sector consumes today. (Production Perig/Adobe Stock)

Federal dollars provide boost to VA’s 'Data Center Alley'

The Biden administration is enhancing the nation's power grid by funding several storage, resilience and transmission projects. The money will …

Algae blooms can clog up sewage and drinking water systems, create foul odors and hurt wildlife. (Rospoint/Adobe Stock)

Climate change is making harmful algae bloom events more frequent, experts say

By Aman Azhar for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Will Walkey for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

Rural areas have grown in population overall since 2020, reversing a decade-long trend of decline. (Jackie Nix/Adobe Stock)

USDA highlights federal investments in rural VA

UPDATE: The event referenced in this story has been postponed due to inclement weather. The story will be updated when a new date and time are …

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has introduced legislation to codify the Chevron Deference into law. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS ruling impacts future action of VA, US

Recent Supreme Court rulings on air pollution are affecting Virginia and the nation. Climate advocates said the court overstepped its bounds in …

A 2021 report found more than 70% of the 3,000 hazardous natural gas leaks in Washington, D.C. posed an immediate threat to residents. (Adobe Stock)

DC residents push back on natural gas infrastructure build-up

Washington D.C. residents are pushing back on a plan to build out existing fossil fuel infrastructure. Washington Gas' $12 billion Project Pipes …

American Heart Association research showed short-term exposure to extreme heat can increase inflammation, interfere with normal immune system function and can accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

VA doctor gives advice on staying heart-healthy in heat

Virginia doctors are reminding people how important it is to stay heart healthy in extreme heat. Temperatures across the U.S. have skyrocketed…

A First Street Foundation report found 7.5 million people are expected to leave current and emerging climates in the next 30 years. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia group hears stories from nationwide climate survivors

As summer storms begin, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network is speaking to people about how climate change affects them. Worsening storms are …

The American Lung Association found the public health benefits of moving to zero-emission transportation are saving almost $30 billion in public health costs, and avoiding 2,700 deaths, 70,900 asthma attacks and 350,000 lost workdays. (Adobe Stock)

Youngkin rolls back VA’s clean-car standards

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is rolling back Virginia's clean-car standards. The General Assembly passed legislation adopting California's clean-car …

Dominion Energy's Integrated Resource Plan calls for up to 9 gigawatts of gas-fired capacity. Emissions from its proposed Chesterfield plant could equal up to 470,000 gas cars on Virginia roads. (Wikimedia Commons)

Dominion eyes alternate site for Chesterfield gas plant

Dominion Energy is eyeing a new site for a natural gas plant in Chesterfield. Documents show the company is considering the recently closed …

Around 14 proposed Virginia data centers will require more than 1 gigawatt of power, which is enough electricity to power 750,000 average homes. (Adobe Stock)

VA groups host rally against 'unchecked' data center growth

Virginians are coming together for a rally this Sunday to voice concerns about data center expansion. Lawmakers, community leaders and environmental …

Transportation accounts for 28% of emissions in the U.S. and ships and boats produce 3% of greenhouse-gas emissions. Emissions for the sector declined between 1990 and 2020 but shot to record highs in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Groups want Biden to reduce shipping emissions in VA, U.S.

Environmental groups want to reduce shipping emissions at ports in Virginia and nationwide, urging President Joe Biden to sign an executive order …

Virginia lawmakers have noted establishing a green bank could help funnel more than $300 million in federal loans from the Inflation Reduction Act into the state. (Adobe Stock)

Youngkin vetoes bill to establish ‘green bank’

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a bill establishing a green bank in Virginia. Senate Bill 729 was set to create the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation …

Virginia Senate Bill 737 includes provisions to monitor programs to ensure they are cost-effective by certifying the benefits of reduced energy use outweigh the program costs. (Adobe Stock)

VA law bolsters energy efficiency programs

A new Virginia law is expected to grow energy efficiency programs in the state. Senate Bill 737 expands access to energy-efficient appliances and …

If power grid operators cannot change the interconnection process in time, data show around 80% of the emissions reductions expected from the Inflation Reduction Act might not happen. (Adobe Stock)

New FERC rule helps VA upgrade transmission infrastructure

A new rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could improve Virginia's electric grid transmission capacity. It requires utilities and …

California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington are the only states with heat standards in place. Five other states either have active legislation or are in the process of rulemaking. (Adobe Stock)

VA farmworkers get updated heat protection guidelines

Some Virginia farmworkers will have updated heat protection guidelines. The Farm Labor Organizing Committee is enacting heat and safety protections …

Democrats and Republicans sent a letter to the House Agriculture chair urging him not to increase crop subsidies by diverting conservation funding. (Adobe Stock)

New Farm Bill could provide climate-smart investments to VA farmers

The long-delayed Farm Bill could benefit Virginia farmers by renewing funding for climate-smart investments, but it's been held up for months in …

Although heavy-duty trucks make up 10% of vehicles on the road, they create more than 25% of total pollution. (Adobe Stock)

VA officials support new EPA clean truck standards

Virginia officials support the Environmental Protection Agency's new emissions rule. The federal clean truck standards will reduce emissions by up to …

According to research from Virginia Commonwealth University, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative created 2,115 local jobs in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly considers RGGI budget amendments

Virginia's General Assembly will consider budget amendments to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI. Gov. Glenn Youngkin …

Expanding solar in VA can provide numerous benefits

Virginia energy experts feel a recent push for solar energy legislation could have benefited the state. Senate Bill 697 would have removed a ban on …

As of June 2023, the World Resources Institute estimates there are 2,277 electric school buses on order, delivered, and operating in the U.S. (Adobe Stock

VA school districts, parents working to get electric school buses

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

Federal legislation has been introduced to improve the efficiency of the U.S. electrical grid. The FASTER Act would amend the Federal Power Act to expedite the review and permitting of electric transmission facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Transmission upgrades needed to keep U.S. climate goals on track

Environmental groups in Virginia are among those looking at how to improve and modernize electrical grid transmission. Experts said the grid's age …

A recent analysis found PJM Interconnection's processing time of 37 months is the fastest for grid operators in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA grid manager needs better interconnection process

Virginia's electrical grid manager ranked poorly in a new energy scorecard. Advanced Energy United's Generator Interconnection Scorecard gave PJM …

Gas power plants are vulnerable to adverse weather. A report showed during Winter Storm Elliott in late December, gas-fired power plants were responsible for around 70% of unplanned outages. (Adobe Stock)

VA residents oppose proposed Dominion Energy power plant

A proposed power plant in Chesterfield County is meeting with the ire of local residents. Dominion Energy's Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center …

A 2020 Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action report finds transportation sources are responsible for 190 air pollution-related premature deaths annually in the state. (Adobe Stock)

VA adopts rule to sell only 'clean' cars starting in 2035

Virginia has adopted a new rule advancing clean car use. The Advanced Clean Cars II Rule requires carmakers to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 20…

No commercial small modular nuclear reactors are in use in the United States. The only project to get federal approval was canceled in 2023 because of a series of challenges, including oversized cost increases. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly OKs bills to develop small modular nuclear reactors

Virginia's General Assembly has approved legislation to develop small modular nuclear reactors. The bills passed both chambers despite concerns …

Virginia lawmakers approved a bill to design a study methodology for menhaden research. It estimates the study will take several years and cost $2.6 million. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly nixes menhaden study bill

Virginia's General Assembly has killed legislation to address the declining menhaden population. The tiny forage fish are an important part of the …

Virginia has two liquefied natural gas facilities with a total storage capacity of 407,200 barrels. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups discourage U.S. use of liquified natural gas

The U.S. is reconsidering its use of liquefied natural gas. While it has long been touted as a "clean alternative" to fossil fuels like coal…

Some environmental effects of pipeline projects are loss of water and air filtration capability from forests, risk of severe erosion in mountainous areas, and increased air pollution from leaking methane gas. (Adobe Stock)

Despite opposition, VA pipeline expansion moves ahead

Despite extensive opposition, the Virginia Reliability Project is moving forward. This month, the state's Marine Resources Commission issued a …

A 2022 Southern Environmental Law Center study found Enviva wood pellet plants in Virginia and North Carolina harvest 60,300 acres of forests per year. Research shows clear-cutting trees at such a magnitude can destroy necessary ecosystems and damage water quality. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Biomass outpaces emissions of other fossil fuels

A new report found woody biomass is worse for the environment than other fossil fuels. The study showed biomass facility emissions are almost three …

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's biennial State of the Bay report gave the bay's overall health a D+, the same grade it received in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill funding impacts Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts

Virginia environmentalists are seeking Farm Bill funding to help Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts. The proposed Chesapeake Bay Conservation …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported 12% of methane emissions stem from leaks in natural gas systems. (Adobe Stock)

New methane safeguards protect VA communities

New methane safeguards can protect communities in Virginia and the U.S. A new rule targets leaks from wells and pipelines, which can emit at least 2.…

Along with flooding, Virginia is experiencing sea level rise. Between 1950 and 2023, the state has seen a 14-inch rise in sea level rise, putting 45,000 homes at risk of tidal flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Wetlands forming on VA surface mines, impacts uncertain

A recent report found wetlands forming on surface mines in Virginia can benefit the state. The wetlands form because surface mining flattens land…

Virginia's Department of Energy is one of nine state and tribal programs to receive funds from Congress for repurposing abandoned mine lands. It was first authorized in 2016, and the state received $10 million in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

VA group looks at carbon-offset market to help reforest former mines

A Virginia group is working out ways to reforest former mines across Appalachia. The state has several hundred thousand acres of mine land, which …

Based on current environmental impacts, residents of Petersburg have a life expectancy 10 years lower than the national average, according to U.S. News & World Report. (Adobe Stock)

VA environmentalists frustrated by FERC-approved pipeline extension

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a plan extending a natural-gas pipeline in Virginia. The Virginia Reliability Plan and Transcot's …

In the three decades between 1980 and 2010, Virginia's York River lost more than 20% of marsh area. By 2050, the region is projected to lose 40,000 acres to sea-level rise. (Adobe Stock)

New plan outlines ways to conserve VA’s coastal wetlands

A new plan takes an interconnected approach to saving Virginia's coastal wetlands. The aim of Virginia's York River and Small Coastal Basin …

A 2021 report found Virginia has the potential to create more than 220,000 terawatts of offshore wind energy by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Dominion Energy plan falls short on renewables

A new report found Dominion Energy's Integrated Resource Plan does not align with Virginia's climate goals. Dominion wants to keep using gas and …

In the last two decades, Virginia has managed to reduce its methane emissions by 58.7%. (Adobe Stock)

VA developing plan for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

Virginia is determining how to best use its Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. This grant was awarded to numerous states through funds allocated in …

A U.S. Water Alliance poll found 85% of voters find ensuring a reliable supply of water extremely or very important. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit seeks to raise awareness for failing water systems

A national group is using today as a national day of action to raise awareness for U.S. water systems. The U.S. Water Alliance is behind the Imagine …

A National Wildlife Federation survey finds 36% of respondents are required by city ordinances or homeowners associations to rake their leaves. Additionally, 14% of those surveyed got rid of 10 bags of leaves per year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Leave leaves on yards to aid biodiversity

A new study finds the autumn chore of raking leaves could be a disservice to budding plant life. The National Wildlife Federation found fallen leaves …

The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement found while older forests accumulate more carbon than younger ones, a younger forest can remove more carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere than an older forest. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia groups seek old-growth forest protections

Virginia environmental advocates are looking for protections of old-growth forests. In 2022, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to have …

A 2023 Resources for the Future report noted the state of Virginia established a climate resilience fund in early 2022, using $25 million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (Chesapeake Climate Action Network)

Environmental Groups File Lawsuit to Keep VA in RGGI

Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In June, Virginia's Air Pollution …

Energy prices across the United States increased 5% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. Coupled with 8% inflation, ratepayers saw a total 13% increase, the largest growth in electric bills since 1984. (Adobe Stock)

Energy-Efficiency Programs Aid Virginians with High Utility Costs

Growing energy prices have Virginians seeking relief to high utility bills. Earlier this year, Appalachian Power announced its customers will see a $2…

The American Lung Association reported emissions from natural gas and biomass power plants could result in cancer and other health issues, releasing pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into the air. (Adobe Stock)

VA Environmental Groups Wary of Proposed Gas Power Plant

A proposed Dominion Energy power plant has Virginia environmental groups in an uproar. The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center would be a gas-…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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VA: Environment