Virginia's Energy Divide | Roanoke News

Virginia’s energy future is heating up — literally and figuratively — as booming data centers and rising electricity demand strain the grid. The state must build more power and upgrade infrastructure, but doing so without bankrupting budgets or alienating rural communities is proving tricky. A growing rift emerges between urban hubs like Northern Virginia and rural areas forced to host new power lines and solar projects, sparking debates over who should decide where energy infrastructure goes. Some lawmakers want to wrestle control from local governments using the Dillon Rule, while others stress the need for better statewide coordination. The bottom line? Meeting Virginia’s energy needs affordably and reliably will require unprecedented collaboration across utilities, regulators, and communities — balancing statewide goals with local concerns. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/07818a96481f496e