Most of the recent debate over data centers in Virginia has focused on new projects. Should a locality approve the rezoning or special use permit? Should additional conditions apply before construction? Should development be paused while new rules are written?...
Virginia has taken a first step toward giving agrivoltaics a clearer place in the Commonwealth’s renewable energy framework. Under HB 508 , signed into law on June 17, 2026, agrivoltaics is now defined in Virginia law as the intentional co-location of...
When I wrote in Utility Dive last September about data centers and power demand, solar was facing a period of real uncertainty. Federal tax incentives were on the way out, local opposition was growing, developers were facing more difficult land-use...
GreeneHurlocker attorney Jared Burden recently authored an article in Cardinal News on the limited scope of solar siting bill HB 711, which the Virginia General Assembly passed, but is still awaiting Governor Spanberger's final signature, pending the Assembly’s review of her recommendations. ...
The Virginia General Assembly has passed House Bill 711, a measure that would reshape how localities regulate certain solar projects. As of March 16th, 2026, it sits on the desk of Governor Spanberger, who has until April 13th to sign it into law....
As electricity demand from data centers surges—driven largely by generative AI—many large technology companies are no longer waiting on utilities or regional grid operators to keep up. Instead, they’re using their own balance sheets to secure solar and battery storage projects directly, giving them more...
GreeneHurlocker’s Jared Burden recently authored an article for Virginia Business highlighting that while federal policy shapes the backdrop for solar development in Virginia, the decisive battleground is local. With key federal incentives beginning to phase out, developers are becoming more creative about project economics, and...
Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s decisive win in Tuesday’s election for Virginia governor, as well as other down-ballot Democrat victories in races for lieutenant governor and attorney general, mark a major shift in Virginia politics and set the stage for significant developments in the Commonwealth’s energy landscape....
After years of uncertainty, the U.S. energy storage market is entering a period of rapid expansion. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects utility-scale battery capacity to more than double to nearly 65 GW by the end of 2026, up from just 17 GW in...
As data centers continue to grow rapidly—driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure—their power needs are putting pressure on the energy system. A wave of recent reports, regulations, and corporate actions highlight how interconnected the energy and data sectors have become. Below is...