Spanberger’s energy plan keys in on clean energy to meet growing demand and VCEA goals

Good morning from The Mercury.

By Shannon Heckt

Gov. Abigail Spanberger released the commonwealth’s latest energy plan on Thursday, marking the first long-range blueprint of her term for how Virginia can meet its growing energy demands and achieve the Virginia Clean Economy Act’s decarbonization and energy goals.

As she announced the plan in Richmond Thursday morning, Spanberger said it “models four primary pathways to explore the costs, benefits, and realities of each potential energy mix,” citing a mix of power sources that all keep the state on the path of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

By Staff Report

In this feature, we aim to highlight the frequency with which officials around Virginia are resisting public access to records on issues large and small — and note instances when the release of information under FOIA gave the public insight into how government bodies are operating. 

This month's FOIA Friday: Richmond faces scrutiny over Flock contract records; Mold forces temporary closure of Obama Elementary; Court sides with parent in Spotsylvania FOIA delay case; Residents use FOIA to uncover data center projects.

By Ivy Main

Across the political spectrum, people who do the math come up with the same answer: the cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one you don’t need to use. A well-insulated building outfitted with LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances saves money for occupants over time even when upfront costs are higher.

It's astounding, then, that Virginia’s residential building code treats these elements as optional luxuries rather than as basic standards that all home buyers and renters should expect, even – or perhaps especially – in an entry-level home. 

By Robbie Sequeira

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released new guidance Thursday for participating states, scholarship-granting organizations and taxpayers as the federal scholarship tax credit program prepares to take effect in January. 

Created through President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending law in 2025, the Education Freedom Tax Credit program allows individuals to claim a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to certain scholarship-granting organizations (known as SGOs) and taxpayers can contribute to an eligible organization regardless of where that taxpayer lives.  

By Jennifer Shutt

U.S. senators departed Capitol Hill on Wednesday night for their campaign break, leaving numerous policy disputes unresolved.

The chamber won’t return until Nov. 9 for the five-week lame-duck session, when party leaders will have to decide which bills they want to negotiate during what could be the final days of unified Republican control.

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