VACo County Pulse Podcast

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 28 | Energy Affordability: Virginia Poverty Law Center In this episode, we talk with Dana Wiggins and Carmen Bingham, with the Virginia Poverty Law Center also known by its acronym VPLC. We learn about programs to lower energy bills for qualifying Virginians with limited income, protection from utility disconnection during extreme weather events, and how VPLC advocates for affordable utility rates.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeVirginia Poverty Law Center Energy Assistance Program (EAP) - Virginia Department of Social ServicesPercentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) - Virginia Department of Social ServicesWeatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | DHCDHousing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE) | DHCDVirginia SCC - Dominion-NextEra Merger

Episode 27 – Electric Power in Virginia: The Essentials for Decision Makers – Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and MedicineIn this episode, we talk with Dave Roop and Haydn Wadley with the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, also known by its acronym VASEM. Dave and Haydn, along with other contributors from VASEM’s Energy Working Group, authored a white paper titled “Electric Power in Virginia: The Essentials for Decision Makers”. The white paper is a distillation of a more in-depth issue paper developed by the same authors and is intended to provide a fundamental understanding of the technical issues and option available for Virginia to meet the challenge of sharply rising energy demand over the next few decades in ways that are affordable and sustainable without compromising the reliability and resilience of its electric grid. With Dave and Haydn’s knowledge and experience we dive into an explanation of how the grid operates, our current and projected demands on the system, and how Virginia might meet these through a deployment of a combination of existing and emerging technologies.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeVirginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM)Electric Power in Virginia: The Essentials for Decision Makers - White PaperElectric Power Technologies for an Era of Rapidly Increasing in Virginia - StudyDave Roop – VASEM Member ProfileHaydn Wadley - Edgar A. Starke Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Virginia 

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 26 | Dark Sky Parks and Reducing Light Pollution We visit two dark sky certified parks to learn how these places take advantage of a neglected and diminishing natural resource, to provide recreational and educational opportunities to the public. We also explore how communities can reduce light pollution to preserve the night sky and improve the health of natural and human built environments. The first part is an interview with Austin Peightel, Staunton River State Park manager, and Jayme Hanzak, president of the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society, to hear the story of how Virginia landed its first dark sky park. In the second part we hear from community leaders Becky Burr and Torney Van Acker to learn about Rappahannock County Park, Virginia’s third, and only County, dark-sky designated park.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeDark Sky International | Protecting the night skies for present and future generationsVirginia Chapter of Dark Sky InternationalVirginia State Parks' International Dark Sky ParksHome - Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observing SocietyThe New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness | CIRESRappahannock County ParkRappahannock League for Environmental ProtectionRappahannock County International Dark Sky Park Silver Tier Application Photo 1 | Photo 2

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 25 | Purchasing electricity for local governments from Dominion Energy In a conversation with Stephen Burr, Energy Manager for Arlington County, and John Lord, Energy Management Coordinator for Fairfax County Public Schools, we learn about the special contractual relationship localities have with Dominion Energy to purchase electricity through the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA). In addition to understanding the benefits accrued to counties by being members of VEPGA, we discuss an expected increase in electricity rates beginning July 1, 2026, that counties will need to prepare for.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeVirginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA) - homepageList of VEPGA Members as of May, 2025  For more information (including password for certain website access for VEPGA members and to attend the April 15th membership meeting), contact VEPGA Secretary and Treasurer Sandra Harrington at [email protected] and 804.523.8524.

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 24 | Update on Energy Legislation from 2026 Virginia Legislative Session In a conversation with VACo Deputy Director Katie Boyle, we learn about the proposal to end Virginia’s sales tax exemption on data center equipment, and how that has led to an impasse on negotiating the next two-year state budget slated to begin July 1st. We learn about this tax incentive for the industry to locate in the Commonwealth and the potential implications to Virginia and its counties for ending the exemption. We also discuss the impacts to counties on legislation regarding the siting of solar installations and battery storage that have passed and will now be considered by the Governor.  Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeVACo Analysis of the House and Senate BudgetsTax Policy – Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Data CentersHouse: Requires data centers to meet certain environmental requirements to qualify for the exemption, beginning July 1, 2027.  (Item 4-14 #2h) Senate: Terminates the sales and use tax exemption, effective January 1, 2027. (Item 4-14 #4s)K-12 – Local Composite Index (LCI) – Senate adds the value of computer equipment and peripherals used in a data center to the calculation of the true value of real estate and public service corporations when calculating the LCI, beginning with the 2028-2030 biennium. (Item 125 #1s)Biennial Data Center Retail Sales and Use Tax Exemption Report - January 2, 2026Bills Mandating Statewide Standards for Solar Facilities Headed to the Governor - Virginia Association of CountiesBills to Make Utility-Scale Batteries a By-Right Use Headed to the Governor - Virginia Association of CountiesUVA Utility-scale Solar and BESS Database

Virginia’s K-12 Funding Formula: What the JLARC Report Means for Counties — and What Comes Next In the latest episode of VACo’s Uplifting Our Children Through Education podcast series, host Jeremy R. Bennett is joined by Justin Brown, Associate Director of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), and Mark Gribbin, Chief Legislative Analyst (JLARC) and project leader for JLARC’s landmark 2023 report on Virginia’s K-12 funding formula.  The JLARC study, directed by the General Assembly, found that Virginia’s current Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formula significantly underestimates the true cost of providing a high-quality public education. While the SOQ formula calculated that school divisions needed roughly $10.7 billion in combined state and local funding in FY21, actual division spending exceeded $17 billion—leaving counties to absorb much of the gap.  During the conversation, Brown and Gribbin walk listeners through why JLARC undertook the study, how the formula has evolved over time, and which structural issues—such as outdated staffing assumptions, labor cost adjustments, and the treatment of higher-needs students—continue to place pressure on local government budgets.  The episode also explores the report’s near-term and long-term recommendations, progress made by the General Assembly since the report’s release, and what counties should watch for in upcoming legislative sessions. Listeners will gain valuable insight into how the JLARC findings are shaping state policy discussions and why continued county engagement is essential to achieving a more transparent, predictable, and equitable funding system for Virginia’s public schools.  Tune in to hear how this landmark report is influencing K-12 education funding debates and what it means for county leaders working to uplift children through educationLink to JLARC Report and Supporting Documents can be accessed here.VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett

Championing K-12: Advocacy & Collaboration Between Boards of Supervisors and School BoardsIn this episode of Uplifting Our Children Through Education, host Jeremy Bennett sits down with J.T. Kessler, a classroom teacher and longtime advocate for public education, to explore the essential partnerships that shape K-12 outcomes across Virginia. Drawing on his hands-on experience in both North Carolina and Virginia schools, J.T. offers a dual practitioner-advocate perspective on how boards of supervisors, school boards, and the broader school community can work together to advance student success.Jeremy and J.T. discuss what effective K-12 advocacy looks like at the local and state levels, how communication between local governing bodies can strengthen funding and policy outcomes, and why collaboration remains critical as localities prepare for future General Assembly sessions. The conversation also examines shared priorities such as teacher recruitment and retention, school infrastructure, capital planning, equitable access for rural and low-wealth communities, and navigating Virginia’s education funding and regulatory landscape.With a focus on practical strategies, lived classroom experience, and opportunities for joint advocacy, this episode highlights the importance of building strong relationships between school leaders, county officials, and community stakeholders to ensure every student has access to quality learning environments.

In this episode of the Uplifting Our Children Through Education series, host Jeremy R. Bennett sits down with three local leaders from Prince Edward County to explore the powerful intersection of history, policy and infrastructure in public education. Joining Jeremy are:Douglas W. Stanley, County Administrator for Prince Edward County;Cainain Townsend, Executive Director of the Robert Russa Moton Museum and member of the Prince Edward County School Board; andDr. Donald “Chip” Jones, Jr., Superintendent of Prince Edward County Public Schools.Together they trace the legacy of Barbara Johns and the 1951 Moton School student protest, challenge the realities of aging school infrastructure in a rural locality, and dive into efforts to finance tomorrow’s learning environments — including recent state-legislative initiatives around local referenda, sales-tax options and the future of school-construction funding. Listeners will learn how the community is balancing heritage, equity and capital investment, and what it takes for counties like Prince Edward to uplift children through strategic partnerships and forward-looking planning.Prince Edward County Supervisor Jerry Townsend (right) and Prince Edward County Administrator Doug StanleyPrince Edward County Elementary School Rendering 1Prince Edward County Elementary School Rendering 2Prince Edward County Elementary School Photo 1Prince Edward County Elementary School Photo 2

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 23 | Using Wood Byproducts to Make Sustainable Energy. In a conversation with Terry Lasher, Executive Director for the Virginia Forestry Association, we learn how Virginia’s forest economy contributes to sustainable energy production. We also discuss the potential for utilizing forestry and agriculture waste to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episodeWood Supply Chain (Forest Resources Association)Virginia Forest Carbon Report (Forest Resources Association)Virginia Forestry Association and Virginia Forestry FoundationCAAFI - Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative | Sustainable Aviation FuelWisconsin Forestry Revitalization Act - $210 million (tax credits and bonds) to supplement $1.5 billion private investment in plant to make jet fuel from wood biomassAgricultural Technology Innovation (ATIP) FoundationATIP - Advancing the Bioeconomy in SW Virginia (webinar slides)We value your feedback. Please share your thoughts on the Energy Landscape of Virginia Podcast here. 

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 22 | Logging and Biomass Energy Production. Joe Lerch visits the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Halifax County Biomass plant to learn how biomass energy production contributes to the health of Virginia’s forests and the environment. The episode begins with a conversation with plant manager Mike Davis and Palmer Dugger of L.P. Dugger Logging followed up with a tour of the facility.Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode.NOVEC Halifax County Biomass Electric Generating Facility L P Dugger Logging, L.L.C Forest Sustainability Fund for Local Government: Virginia Department of ForestryPhoto 1 and Photo 2