Sign in

Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate

@vgcclimate.bsky.social
911 followers 501 following 805 posts

VirginiaGrassroots.org Working group for Climate and Clean Energy within the coalition. Supporting VA legislation to lower emissions and accelerate an affordable, clean energy economy. virginiagrassroots.org/coalition-wg…

PostsRepliesMedia
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Thank you, @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social
011
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Irene Shin @ireneforva.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
FRIDAY: The SCC is hosting a public hearing about Dominion/NextEra! NOVA, this is your chance to voice your concerns in-person abt this $67 billion acquisition that could drastically reshape Virginia’s utility landscape.
This Friday, the SCC is hosting a public hearing about the Dominon/NextEra merger at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, from 6 to 8 PM
023
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
"A state delegate described data center lobbyists visiting his office “every other day.” This is not the normal give-and-take of local politics. It is an industry that has learned it can overwhelm the institutions meant to regulate it."
blackvirginianews.substack.com
OPED: Loudoun County Traded Human Health for Tax Revenue. An Environmental Impact Study Could Have Prevented It. It Still Can.
➤ Early voting started 🗳️ in Virginia on September 18, 2026 ➤ 35 days until the Nov.
043
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
They could and they did! NextEra 's dirty political manipulations are super relevant to their desire to do business in Virginia.
052
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"An energy affordability agenda that leaves out home efficiency is one with a gaping hole in it." Governor @abigailspanberger.com must step in to require BHCD to meet higher building code standards.
virginiamercury.com
Commentary: The simple affordability fix Virginia just can’t seem to make • Virginia Mercury
An energy affordability agenda that leaves out home efficiency is one with a gaping hole in it, columnist Ivy Main writes.
011
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
John Kostyack @kostyack.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
@ohiorivvalleyinst.bsky.social warns that data center communities could suffer from the same "economic paradox" as Appalachia’s gas-producing communities: GDP growth outstrips that of the nation but local prosperity plummets.
ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org
Why Data Centers Will Be Economic Development Duds
Data centers are highly capital intensive, non-labor intensive enterprises that create few jobs & inject little money into host communities.
14317
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
March for a Data Center Moratorium - locations over Virginia over the next 2 weeks: Alexandria Oct 10, Culpeper Oct 11, Winchester Oct 15, Leesburg Oct 17, Danville Oct 19, VA Beach Oct 20, Roanoke Oct 21, Richmond Oct 24. Sign up & bring your neighbors! @ccanactionfund.bsky.social
actionnetwork.org
March for a Moratorium: Stand Up Against Dirty Data Centers in Virginia
Join Virginians across the Commonwealth for the March for a Moratorium, a two-week series of marches calling for a statewide pause on new data center development. Each march will feature local speake...
113
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
NextEra’s Proposed Acquisition of Dominion Energy Must Benefit Virginians — Not Just Shareholders
bluevirginia.us
NextEra's Proposed Acquisition of Dominion Energy Must Benefit Virginians - Not Just Shareholders - Blue Virginia
By Michelle Moore NextEra Energy is seeking to acquire Dominion Energy in a $66.8 billion deal that would create the world’s largest regulated utility monopoly–and a utility with unprecedented control...
053
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 21/09/2026
COMMENTARY: Beneath the concerns that residents point out about data centers is a growing conviction that we are fighting for our future, columnist Ivy Main writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/09/21/t...
virginiamercury.com
The battle over data centers isn’t just about data centers, but they’re the battleground we have. • Virginia Mercury
Beneath the concerns that residents point out about data centers is a growing conviction that we are fighting for our future, columnist Ivy Main writes.
044
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Kevin J. Kircher @kevinjkircher.com · 26/09/2026
A functioning regulatory system would include frequent, randomized spot checks, done regularly by well-funded civil servants using modern technology, plus consequences - fines or jail time - serious enough to actually prevent polluters from sickening or killing nearby people.
27315
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
'The data centers haven’t infiltrated the cancer statistics yet...'
010
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
➡️RSVP Hampton Roads: actionnetwork.org/events/hampt... ➡️RSVP NOVA: actionnetwork.org/events/north... ➡️RSVP Richmond: actionnetwork.org/events/centr...
100
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Stop the NextEra takeover. 🚫 Show up to speak directly to the SCC: Hampton Roads: Wed., Oct. 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Christopher Newport University, Newport News Northern Virginia: Fri., Oct. 9, 6 to 8 p.m., Fairfax County Government Center Central Virginia: Thu., Nov. 5, 2 to 5 p.m., SCC, Richmond
100
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
🎯
132
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Sen. Danica Roem @pwcdanica.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
”But think of the jobs! But think of the office space! But think of the *four* years of a $10/month credit instead of just two?!” None of this changes that the world’s largest electric utility merger *ever* should be disqualifying in and of itself. Get. Out. #valeg www.wvtf.org/news/2026-09...
wvtf.org
Will Dominion and NextEra's merger promises come to fruition?
This week, Dominion Energy announced hundreds of new jobs to sweeten the deal for its proposed merger with Florida-based NextEra.
1265
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Gov. Healy of MA previously spent 8y as ratepayer advocate in utility cases. Good to hear her say these words, and want the same for Virginia, 'When it comes to utility companies, we’ve got to end business as usual.'
020
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Kevin J. Kircher @kevinjkircher.com · 16/09/2026
lady: our data center flexes demand to protect the grid and ratepayers!

guy: how

lady: we use AI to shift load!

guy: how

lady: we run diesel generators when prices spike

guy: thank you
7807307
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
John Kostyack @kostyack.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Sam Altman says we can ignore data center water impacts, that 38K chatbot queries is comparable to "scarfing down 12 almonds." But the key driver of the data center boom training & deploying AI agents, not chatbots. And agentic AI is much more water and energy intensive than chatbots.....
wired.com
AI Agents Are Thirsty for Power
Silicon Valley is shifting away from chatbot queries toward a future filled with resource-intensive agentic AI—and it's driving the data center buildout.
2102
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
And also crush climate groups 😓
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro: House committee launches investigation into 19 climate groups
Republican lawmakers are accusing the groups of acting as “taxpayer-funded law firms.”
021
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Charlottesville, we’re coming your way on Monday, September 14. The Energy Costs Listening Tour is about hearing directly from you—your experiences, concerns, and ideas. Come share your story. Make your voice heard. Help shape what comes next.
173
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
What's the data center coming to your community going to take from you? Is your health being sold by county supervisors to close budgets?
nytimes.com
A.I. Data Center Pollution Poses Health Threat, Former E.P.A. Officials Warn (Gift Article)
Air pollution from gas-fired power plants to run data centers is expected to add at least $20 billion in annual health care costs by 2028, the group warns.
022
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Make plans to be heard, Virginians! Telephonic and written comments are taken in equal weight, but we demanded in-person hearings around the Commonwealth, so now we need to show up.
000
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Mark Gongloff @markgongloff.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Maybe even worse than the water data centers are taking from humans is the toxic crap they’re spewing back out www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Data centers now facing backlash over contaminated wastewater
Locals are raising alarms over rare bacteria, forever chemicals, and other environmental concerns.
0158
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
WHRO Public Media @whropublicmedia.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi recently made a stop in Norfolk for her statewide listening tour focused on energy costs. She was greeted by more than 150 residents protesting the proposed $67 billion merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy. Story: tinyurl.com/3nfb85bk
041
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Can't we turn the grid reliability argument into a large load user flexibility requirement? New fossil generation, with profit to utility and risks on ratepayers, is not acceptable.
011
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
John Kostyack @kostyack.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
States have given billions in tax breaks to the richest companies in the world to bring in their hyperscale data centers. Many states are now cancelling them, leading industry execs to threaten to shift projects to states such as IN, WV & WY that have retained favorable tax regimes.
wsj.com
States That Gave Data Centers Billions in Tax Breaks Are Now Ripping Up the Deals
Amazon, Meta and Google risk losing decadeslong exemptions due to a backlash against their facilities
2159
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Richmond, it’s your turn. Tomorrow, we’re bringing the Energy Costs Listening Tour to the capital city to hear what rising energy costs look like in your homes, workplaces, and communities. Your experiences matter. Your concerns matter.
154
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Norfolk, we’re coming to you. Tomorrow, the Energy Costs Listening Tour heads to Norfolk to hear directly from you about the rising cost of energy and what it means for Virginia families, workers, and businesses.
162
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Loudoun, what an impression you left on us. The first stop of the Energy Costs Listening Tour was invaluable. @johnmcauliff.bsky.social @russetperry.bsky.social @pwcdanica.bsky.social
1144
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Network NOVA @networknova.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I'm attending Rural GroundGame's event, “Listening to Virginia Town Hall: Data Centers & Valley Link” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/ruralgroundg...
mobilize.us
Listening to Virginia Town Hall: Data Centers & Valley Link · Rural GroundGame
Every community deserves the opportunity to come together, discuss the available information, and consider how they'd like to approach massive projects like data centers. The purpose of this Town Hall...
032
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
No. No takeover is the correct position after you consider the risks. See materials presented in 8/18 meeting of the Energy Commission of Virginia, merger subcommittee. Prof. Josh Macy testimony in particular. dls.virginia.gov/commissions/...
dls.virginia.gov
Energy Commission of Virginia
100
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Not Verrus, but current dumber HEUFs. Give our schools batteries as part of a goodwill package. As it is, we are downwind of thousands of their diesel backup generators while our schools can barely keep lights on with backup. Utility has announced 25% increase in rates to schools, more next yr.
000
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Oppose the merger. Speaker Scott enjoys Dominion $. He kills campaign finance reform bills, he reaches into sub-committees and kills bills the utilities don't like. We're 👀😠.
142
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
And can they stop knocking out our schools' power?! Fairfax County neighbors Loudoun County (downwind). www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/n...
nbcwashington.com
Power frequently going out at Fairfax County schools, superintendent says
The increasing demand on the region’s electrical infrastructure, likely exacerbated by data centers, is believed to be behind the outages, FCPS’ superintendent said.
111
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
You mean instead of our schools in Northern Virginia losing power, we could have these AI products, companies and users inconvenienced instead? Make it so!
nbcwashington.com
Power frequently going out at Fairfax County schools, superintendent says
The increasing demand on the region’s electrical infrastructure, likely exacerbated by data centers, is believed to be behind the outages, FCPS’ superintendent said.
000
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Stop NextEra. Bigger monopoly, bigger bills!
StopNextEra.comJoin the Energy Listening Tour. VAenergytour.com . Pictured Sen. Roem and Lt. Gov. Hashmi in front of backdrop 'Virginians deserve transparency and Accountability ' 'protect Virginians- Lower Energy costs' 'Virginians deserve a voice'
011
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Network NOVA @networknova.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Virginia built the data center capital of the world. Now comes the bill. This Friday — Tim Cywinski of Sierra Club Virginia and Melissa Thomas of the Climate Equity Working Group on who pays it. Plus the BIG TEN Afterglow. Noon ET. @votetimva.com @nnvaorg.bsky.social @sierraclub.org
tinyurl.com
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Friday Power Lunch. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Friday Power Lunch. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
042
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
If flexible data centers get grid connected faster, is that all they really care about? Can an existing build be retrofitted to be flexible, to chase benefits?
100
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
To be clear, we would prefer lawmakers go on record opposing the proposed merger. Haven't they heard enough? Start with Prof. Josh Macy's risk warnings on 8/18 to Energy Commission of Virginia dls.virginia.gov/commissions/...
dls.virginia.gov
Energy Commission of Virginia
110
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Bring your concerns. Bring your utility bills. Today, Sept. 2, in Loudoun. Thank you, Lt. Gov Hashmi and supporting GA reps. @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social @pwcdanica.bsky.social @russetperry.bsky.social @johnmcauliff.bsky.social @atoosareaser.bsky.social
Lt. Gov Hashmi listening tour stop Sept 2. feat. Sen. Roem, Sen. Perry, Del. McAuliff. VAenergytour.com
021
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
There is NO ability of the legislators or Governor to have any say in the selection. It would be a wild card.
110
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Our position, joining coalition partners and legislators who oppose the merger, is that Commissioner Bagot should remain overseeing this case on the three person Commission. The fact is that a temporary Commissioner appointment would be selected by the two remaining Commissioners.
100
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Sen. Danica Roem @pwcdanica.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Corporate greed raises your electric bill. The SCC shouldn’t reward that. No NE merger. — “Also, because residential energy use is basically flat, households are subsidizing the extra power required by the data center boom propelled by the rise of artificial intelligence.” vcij.org/stories/domi...
vcij.org
Dominion ratepayers on the hook again as give turns into take — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
Virginia’s largest utility is asking regulators to OK a long-term plan to recoup costs for high fuel prices. The new charges could wipe out a proposed customer rebate from a NextEra acquisition.
1155
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Go to StopNextera.com - Current action for individuals (dozens of elected have also requested this) is demand that the SCC hold in-person public hearings around the Commonwealth.
stopnextera.com
No NextEra Power Grab
111
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
"the people that are rolling the dice and are going to be on the receiving end of that risk are the rate payers. If the SCC does not need the additional time, then they certainly don't need to use it. But let's give them all the resources, all the time necessary...' 180 days is not enough.
121
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Congrats. Your beautiful book arrived in the mail here in Virginia!
152
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi @ltgovhashmi.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The energy cost crisis is hitting Virginia’s families & businesses, & tomorrow, we take the fight to Loudoun County. Wednesday marks the first stop of our Energy Costs Listening Tour, where we’ll hear directly from Virginians about their bills & what we need to do about it.
132
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Climate change is coming for your home insurance. In many states it is already here. wapo.st/4cmVRBr
wapo.st
Why more homeowners across the U.S. are turning to an insurance that offers less coverage
As traditional insurers retreat from areas most vulnerable to extreme weather, more Americans struggling to find coverage are seeking out surplus line plans.
000
Reposted by Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate
NPR @npr.org · 31/08/2026
An NPR investigation found that people in the U.S. are dying from heat much more often than official counts show. We explore the reasons why — and how lives can be saved. n.pr/3UmkeZP
n.pr
NPR spent 2 years tracking deaths from heat. We found a staggering hidden toll
An NPR investigation found that people in the U.S. are dying from heat much more often than official counts show. We explore the reasons why — and how lives can be saved.
4272115
Virginia Grassroots Coalition - Climate @vgcclimate.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
We are a target in Virginia of NextEra utility takeover of Dominion because of unlimited contributions. The biggest recipients are in leadership, who nip the important opposition in sub-committee votes.
virginiamercury.com
Public utilities shouldn’t be funding the campaigns of the people who govern them • Virginia Mercury
If NextEra acquires Dominion Energy to become the nation’s largest utility without the General Assembly acting to limit campaign spending, nothing will stop NextEra from flooding campaigns with so muc...
011