AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Strain: Spotsylvania supervisors weigh support for a statewide moratorium on data centers, as local rules already require special permits plus limits on noise and water use. Grid Costs: Virginia regulators are also moving to force data centers to pay more of the transmission bill—part of a broader national story of rising residential electricity rates. Modular AI Buildout: Runware is marketing “inference pods” that fit 1MW of AI compute into a 20-foot container, aiming to bypass long build timelines. Mosquitoes & Public Health: A U.S. firm is releasing 600,000 male tiger mosquitoes using Wolbachia to curb dengue risk, after Virginia confirmed its first locally acquired case. Invasive Plants: A new invasive grass, wavyleaf basketgrass, is threatening forests in Pennsylvania and is spreading via seeds hitchhiking on people and pets. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries: Regulators advanced proposed changes to Chesapeake Bay menhaden harvest for public comment, with environmental groups urging tighter limits. Extreme Heat & Storms: The Mid-Atlantic is stuck in a humid, Florida-like heat stretch, with advisories and storm chances lingering. Recycling Update: Richmonders can now recycle pizza boxes and paper cups, reflecting growing processing capacity for grease and coatings. Animal Rescue: Charlottesville rescuers saved “Big Mama,” a 6-foot-7 draft horse facing slaughter, now in sanctuary care.

Data Center Costs in Virginia: The Virginia State Corporation Commission ordered that new large-load data centers must pay for transmission infrastructure built exclusively for them, shifting costs away from ratepayers and setting a precedent for how utilities allocate grid spending. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries: The Atlantic menhaden board advanced options for cutting harvest up to 50% and spreading catches more evenly, with conservationists urging protection for the bay’s ecosystem while industry disputes the need. Recycling Rules in Richmond: Richmond’s regional recycling authority added pizza boxes and accepted paper cups again, citing improved processing and noting grease/liners should be removed. Heat and Storm Impacts: Central Virginia saw thousands lose power amid severe storms, while forecasts warn of hot, muggy conditions and scattered heavy downpours with occasional stronger gusts. Agriculture Under Freeze Stress: Spring freezes left Virginia peach crops uneven, but some orchards in Central Virginia still have fruit, with growers urging shoppers to check local availability. HOAs vs. Sustainable Yards: A new low-impact landscaping law fight highlights how HOAs can block pollinator-friendly and drought-tolerant yards, pushing state rules against turf-only requirements. ACLU Lawsuit on Student Clubs: The ACLU of Virginia filed a federal lawsuit for King George Middle School students seeking to form a Genders and Sexualities Alliance, arguing the school board violated students’ rights.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia regulators ordered that new large-load data centers must pay for transmission infrastructure built exclusively for them, shifting costs away from residential and small-business ratepayers. Storm Impacts: Severe storms left 6,000+ households without power in Central Virginia, with more heavy rain and damaging-wind risk across the Mid-Atlantic. PFAS in Drinking Water: New reporting highlights “forever chemicals” in tap water nationwide, including Miami-Dade, as communities prepare for stricter federal PFAS limits. Drought & Farms: Botetourt County farmers say drought and high costs are forcing hard choices, including selling livestock as creeks dry and hay yields plunge. Wildlife & Habitat: Virginia’s Second Breeding Bird Atlas website is now fully live, adding classroom resources and supporting bird conservation. Local Governance & Community Health: A federal judge ruled Shenandoah County must remove Confederate names from two schools again, while Botetourt County Fire & EMS prepares a prehospital whole-blood program to improve survival in severe bleeding emergencies.

Data Centers vs. Virginia Power and Politics: Gov. Abigail Spanberger says she’s “deeply skeptical” about the Dominion–NextEra $67B merger and will formally intervene at the State Corporation Commission, pointing to tougher environmental standards for diesel generators and water use, plus a statewide tax on data-center energy consumption. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is weighing changes to the Chesapeake Bay menhaden reduction fishery cap, with options that could cut the current 51,000-metric-ton ceiling by as much as 50%. Public Health & Climate-Linked Risk: Virginia health officials reported the state’s first locally acquired dengue case, underscoring how warming temperatures and uneven mosquito control can let tropical diseases take hold. Wildlife Care Funding: The Wildlife Center of Virginia opened its annual online benefit auction to support care for injured and orphaned wildlife statewide. Weather Watch: The DC region is bracing for hot, humid conditions with a severe thunderstorm threat Friday and scattered storms into the weekend.

Chesapeake Bay Fishing: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission advanced a proposal that could cut Chesapeake Bay menhaden harvest by up to 50%, with Virginia the lone holdout, teeing up public comment before possible 2027 protections. Virginia Energy Costs: After Gov. Abigail Spanberger pushed regulators, Virginia’s State Corporation Commission ordered data centers to cover transmission infrastructure costs built for their loads, aiming to keep families and small businesses from footing the bill. Virginia Drought Update: Virginia’s drought improved again, with extreme drought shrinking to two small pockets, though the latest map may understate conditions after later rainfall. Data Center Backlash in Localities: Pulaski County residents again voiced strong opposition to data centers at a regional authority meeting, citing environmental and affordability concerns. Storms & Heat Risk: Severe storms with damaging winds are possible in the D.C. region, as temperatures stay in the 90s and heat indices climb. Wildlife & Habitat: A grant program is taking applications for private riverbank restoration, helping landowners rebuild salmon habitat. Public Health & Mosquitoes: A U.S. residential mosquito program plans to release 600,000 male tiger mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia to curb dengue spread.

Data Center Costs Shift: Virginia’s State Corporation Commission ordered Dominion to build a way to charge data centers for transmission infrastructure built for their demand, aiming to keep those costs from spreading to everyone’s electric bills. Local Power-Water Backlash: Lawmakers and residents are pushing for tighter scrutiny of new data centers as concerns grow over groundwater strain and grid reliability. Air Quality & Legacy Pollution: A UVA-led study found road dust in seven eastern cities still carries toxic metals tied to historic industry and old pesticides, raising everyday exposure worries for parks and school areas. Smith Mountain Lake Safety: The Smith Mountain Lake Water Safety Council reviewed 2026 marker changes, including GPS discrepancies and access limits caused by low water. Chesapeake Bay Habitat Reuse: Virginia’s Old Dominion Boulevard Bridge concrete was used as an artificial reef, showing how demolition materials can become marine habitat instead of landfill. Wildlife & Public Safety: Oregon and Utah’s wildlife crossings are credited with cutting deadly crashes, and Virginia is among states expanding similar efforts. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries: The menhaden management board advanced an addendum that could tighten Virginia’s Bay-specific reduction fishery limits. Health Tech for Ticks: Old Dominion researchers are testing a remote-controlled “TickBot” using permethrin-treated cloth to reduce tick bites without harming other wildlife. Flooding Reminder: Hampton Roads saw flash flooding that overwhelmed streets, underscoring how extreme storms keep hitting Virginia communities.

Data Center Costs & Backlash: Virginia’s SCC ordered data centers to pay for dedicated new transmission infrastructure after Gov. Spanberger urged regulators to stop ratepayers from footing the bill, a move projected to save families and small businesses “hundreds of millions.” Local Opposition Spreads: Residents in Henry County packed a meeting to oppose data centers over water use, noise, pollution, and long-term impacts, while Hillsville adopted new town-code limits requiring extra studies and approvals for data centers and solar farms. Grid & Wildlife Concerns: Conservation and community groups are also pushing for safeguards as data-center power demand grows, and local leaders continue challenging related transmission projects. Bay & Offshore Wind Economics: The Atlantic Menhaden addendum went to public comment despite admitting key scientific information is missing, and VIMS is surveying seafood businesses from Massachusetts to Virginia on how offshore wind could affect shoreside operations. Health & Outdoors: Virginia health leaders renewed tick-bite guidance as tick-borne illnesses and alpha-gal research intensify.

Drought Relief Expansion: USDA is adding more Virginia Ninth District localities to primary natural disaster area status due to drought, including Bland, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Russell, with more areas eligible for assistance—an update Congressman Morgan Griffith says will help farmers access needed support. Water Quality Watch: Smith Mountain Lake Association monitoring reports the lake remains safe for recreation, with water clarity and chlorophyll-a readings generally tracking historical averages despite shoreline-sediment impacts from lower lake levels. Local Governance & Sustainability: A new report highlights how HOAs can block pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant landscaping—prompting some states to curb turfgrass-only rules and protect low-impact yards. Data Centers vs. Communities: Virginia is moving toward regulating self-driving vehicles amid safety/liability concerns, while broader coverage shows mounting pressure on data centers over power, water, and noise—plus regulators in other states ordering audits before new grid connections. Restoration at Wallops: NASA is seeking a permit for a major Wallops Island shoreline restoration project, signaling continued investment in coastal resilience. Air Quality Concern: Wildfire smoke drifted into Roanoke, raising air-quality worries even as conditions improved. Health & School Hydration: Buena Vista schools updated wellness policy to ensure free, safe drinking water is accessible throughout the day.

Data Center Backlash in Virginia: Loudoun County is weighing a pause on new data center applications as officials revisit zoning and permitting after residents pushed back on “unchecked growth,” with staff drafting a plan that could tighten standards on noise, parking, and onsite power. Local Power Infrastructure Fight: Rep. Don Beyer asked Fairfax County to deny Dominion Energy’s proposed Edsall Rd. substation tied to a nearby data center campus, arguing the scale is incompatible with adjacent neighborhoods. Groundwater Alarm: Virginia’s DEQ report finds groundwater east of I-95 is constrained and projected to decline, prompting Sens. Russet Perry and Richard Stuart to urge a special session to rein in water use. Water Quality Watch: A raw sewage leak near Lynchburg’s Expressway was sealed after wastewater flowed into Fishing Creek; officials are assessing public health and environmental impacts. Drought Update: Virginia’s drought task force says recent rain slowed worsening, but severe drought persists in parts of the state, with Northern Virginia still under a warning advisory. Wildlife Access: USDA funding will expand Virginia’s elk viewing in the Elk Management Zone in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties. Regional Context: Texas paused new data center grid connections pending audits, citing electricity and water strain and community impacts.

Data Centers vs. Virginia’s Water and Power: Virginians are pushing back hard as the state energy plan process moves forward, with residents calling for limits or a moratorium on new data centers amid worries about electricity costs, grid strain, and especially drinking-water impacts. A DEQ study says the Potomac Aquifer can’t support new industrial withdrawals, and the report’s delayed release is now part of the controversy. Wildlife Access Grant: USDA is funding Virginia’s elk program with a $2.89 million NRCS award to expand the state’s 4,000-acre Elk Management Zone by 1,500 acres, including reclaimed mining land. Deer Management in the Suburbs: DWR’s Justin Folks argues Virginia’s deer-vehicle collisions and forest damage show why “doe harvest” and other tools still matter, even when they’re unpopular. PFAS in Sewage Sludge: Maryland’s new PFAS limits for land-applied biosolids are drawing criticism that the thresholds are too high and won’t change much for most plants. Corrections Oversight: Gov. Abigail Spanberger opened applications for a new Governor’s Community Partnership Council on Corrections, aiming to improve safety and transparency inside VADOC. Defense and Environment Tech: Raytheon began land-based testing of the first SPY-6(V)4 radar array at Wallops Island, supporting Navy destroyer modernization.

Virginia Groundwater: State senators Perry and Stuart urged Gov. Spanberger to call a special session after DEQ’s “deeply alarming” groundwater report warned of saltwater intrusion risks and potential declines for the Potomac Aquifer that supplies drinking water for about 4 million Virginians. Offshore Wind Update: Dominion says its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is past 80% complete, but it pushed the completion target to end of 2027 and added about 2% to the budget. Data Center Backlash in Virginia: Virginia’s data-center boom is colliding with residents’ concerns over power costs and groundwater strain, with lawmakers pressing for reviews and even moratoriums while new projects face local fights. Aquatic Weed Control: Halifax County approved a letter to FERC asking Dominion for more funding to better tackle noxious aquatic weeds like hydrilla and Lyngbya in Lake Gaston. Public Health & Air: A major randomized trial found portable HEPA air purifiers in care homes didn’t reduce winter respiratory infections—an important reality check for indoor air claims. Wildlife Safety: Officials were alarmed after two endangered North Atlantic right whales surfaced in a busy Maryland shipping corridor, highlighting collision risks in heavily trafficked lanes. Research on Pollen: Virginia Tech researchers developed a method to track and forecast pollen movement from ground to the atmosphere using fluorescent switchgrass pollen, drones, and modeling.

Data Center Water & Groundwater Pressure: Two Virginia state senators (Richard Stuart and Russet Perry) are urging a special session after a DEQ groundwater report warned new industries like data centers could strain supplies, citing estimates of millions of gallons per day at scale. Environmental Justice in Permitting: DEQ is drafting guidance to address cumulative pollution impacts in permitting, after town halls heard concerns that communities already burdened by pollution face the worst health outcomes. Flooding Hits Surry County and Mount Airy: Heavy rain and flash flooding damaged roads, bridges, public works facilities, and homes, with multiple water rescues reported as rivers rose fast. Offshore Wind Update: Dominion says its 2.6GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is ~81% complete and now targets installing the final turbine by end of 2027. Local Infrastructure Disruptions: VDOT schedules daytime I-64 left-lane closures for tree trimming starting Aug. 10, and Chesterfield’s Speeks Drive pipe replacement brings Aug. 10-12 road closures with detours. Sustainable Landscaping Fight: A new report highlights how HOAs can block pollinator-friendly, water-saving yards—pushing lawmakers toward low-impact landscaping rules.

Data Center Moratorium Push: A Virginia state senator is urging Gov. Abigail Spanberger to pause data center approvals and development statewide, arguing the commonwealth needs time to decide whether these projects can be accommodated and under what rules—amid mounting concerns about environmental and power-grid impacts. Flooding Hits Northern Virginia: A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Arlington and parts of the DMV as heavy rain triggered flash flooding risk in urban areas, highways, and underpasses. Severe Flood Damage in the Region: In nearby Mount Airy and Surry County, officials reported major damage to roads, bridges, utilities, and public works after intense overnight rainfall, with multiple water rescues and rivers cresting well above major flood stage. Marine Life Milestone: Virginia Beach recorded its first documented leatherback sea turtle nesting, with federal and state wildlife agencies stepping in to protect the eggs. Marine Heat Tracking: New research from William & Mary’s VIMS reframes marine heatwaves as part of longer warming episodes, aiming to better reflect the heat coastal ecosystems actually endure. Native Pollinator Plants: A roundup highlights native plants that support monarchs, hummingbirds, and other pollinators—useful for Virginia gardeners planning for habitat and resilience.

Severe Weather & Flooding: A cold front has moved on, but Virginia and nearby North Carolina are still dealing with rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with a flood watch in effect and flash-flood risk easing after rescues in Surry County as the Ararat River crested near major levels. Groundwater Pressure: Virginia’s DEQ report finds groundwater supply east of I-95 is constrained, with projections pointing to declining availability and rising risks like saltwater intrusion—prompting calls for a special session to rein in water use. Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia lawmakers are pushing for a statewide data center moratorium amid backlash over water and electricity impacts, while regulators revisit who pays for new transmission lines as residents have long footed the bill. Energy Policy Input: The Spanberger administration is seeking public input on a new 10-year energy plan aimed at meeting net-zero goals, with a public meeting set for Aug. 3 in Petersburg. Emerald Ash Borer Grants: DNR is offering $1.7 million in community grants to remove, treat, or replace ash trees and build more resilient urban forests. RGGI Returns: Virginia is back in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, with a projected added monthly charge but potential household savings from energy-efficiency funding.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia regulators are still wrestling with who should pay when data centers drive expensive new transmission lines—after a Prince William County fight that dates back to 2016, a recent State Corporation Commission hearing closed without shifting costs, even as Dominion seeks to designate about $1.5 billion in new transmission spending, with residential customers still projected to cover the biggest share. Water Supply Pressure: Virginia’s groundwater east of I-95 is “constrained,” with projections pointing to declining availability and growing risks like saltwater intrusion, prompting state senators to push Spanberger for a special session to rein in water use in the Coastal Plain aquifer system. Energy Plan Input: Spanberger’s administration is gathering public feedback on a new 10-year energy plan aimed at hitting the state’s 2045 net-zero goals, with a public meeting set for Aug. 3 in Petersburg. Drought Update: Drought has eased in parts of Virginia, but conditions remain severe in the Charlottesville area, where Rivanna River flows are still at historic lows and officials urge continued water conservation. Heat & Climate Extremes: A new report says July 2026 may be America’s warmest month on record in the contiguous U.S., as a dangerous heat dome settles over the West. Public Health Funding & Outbreaks: A string of U.S. outbreaks is being linked by experts to cuts to the safety net and vaccine misinformation, as the health system strains under rising disease counts. Wildlife Watch: Joro spiders are spreading into Southern California, and specialists say they’re unlikely to be medically dangerous despite their striking appearance.

Data Centers & Local Rules: A “Vienna Cloud” data center proposal near Tysons is seeking exceptions to Fairfax County’s 2024 standards, including distance-from-Metro and buffer requirements, as the project asks to expand building size and adjust ordinance limits. Energy Demand & Grid Stress: Back-to-back heat waves are straining the power grid, with AI data centers driving record electricity demand—especially in the PJM region that includes Northern Virginia. Virginia Drought Watch: Drought conditions have eased in parts of Virginia, but the Charlottesville area remains in “extreme” drought, with Rivanna River flows reported at record lows even as rains offer limited relief. Chesapeake Wildlife: An Audubon feature highlights osprey declines in the Chesapeake, linking chick starvation to industrial menhaden fishing and broader environmental pressures. Water-Smart Gardening: Virginia Cooperative Extension urges voluntary water conservation for gardeners—watering early or late, targeting the base of plants, and watching for drought stress. Coastal Safety: Dangerous surf and rip currents contributed to nearly 2,000 ocean rescues in Los Angeles County this summer, underscoring the need for beachgoers to take extra precautions.