Patrick Larsen

Richmond

Reporter at VPM

Reporter @myVPM - Climate and energy - he/him

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Articles

Trump executive order targets state-level climate policies

1 week ago | whro.org | Patrick Larsen

This story was reported and written by VPM News. A new executive order issued by President Donald Trump could affect Virginia’s energy and environmental policies.
Dominion Energy Virginia proposes 15% base rate increase

2 weeks ago | whro.org | Patrick Larsen

This story was reported and written by VPM News. Dominion Energy asked state regulators in filings this week to raise customer power bills by about 15% over the next two years — a product of fuel costs, new construction, infrastructure upgrades, and the cost of doing business on the grid. The company says it’s the first time it has increased its base rates since 1992.
Dominion Energy Virginia proposes 15% base rate increase

2 weeks ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

Dominion Energy asked state regulators in filings this week to raise customer power bills by about 15% over the next two years — a product of fuel costs, new construction, infrastructure upgrades, and the cost of doing business on the grid. The company says it’s the first time it has increased its base rates since 1992. As VPM News has previously reported, those base rates don’t include riders, which have been the main driver of Dominion’s bill increases since 2007.
Richmond City Council to consider plastic bag tax, polystyrene ban

3 weeks ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

The Office of Sustainability presented a Richmond City Council committee this week with information on three proposals set to be considered during Earth Month (aka April). They include a plastic bag tax, a balloon release ordinance and a polystyrene ban. Two of those are or will be required by existing state law — more on that later.
Virginia’s power grid is changing to meet data center demand - but who pays?

1 month ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

Wide ranging factors are contributing to increases in Virginia energy bills — inflation, fluctuating fuel costs and renewable generation among them. But electricity demand for new data centers is driving expected costs, according to state research. Running an electric grid is expensive work. Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility, is investing in renewable generation, as required by the Virginia Clean Economy Act.
Richmond People's Budget pilot is entering a new phase

1 month ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

Richmond’s participatory budgeting pilot is entering its next phase. Leidiana Delgado, civic engagement coordinator for the Richmond City Council, presented councilors with the results of outreach work so far on the People’s Budget. That program sets aside $3 million of the city’s funds — about 0.1% of the total budget — to be allocated through a process of public engagement and voting.
Virginia Democrats pass proposal to incentivize small solar projects

1 month ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

Though a proposal intended to increase the commonwealth’s buildout of utility-scale solar farms failed this year, another that could incentivize smaller projects fared better. The bill, sponsored by Del. Katrina Callsen (D–Charlottesville) and state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D–Henrico), avoided much of the controversy around the other proposal by alleviating some of the need for rural land, according to the patrons.
Oyster eating focuses state lawmakers on Chesapeake Bay restoration

1 month ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

Each year, lawmakers, lobbyists, legislative staff and even the governor take a short respite from the breakneck pace of the General Assembly to celebrate progress on Chesapeake Bay restoration and enjoy a briny snack of oysters on Capitol Square in Richmond. This year, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted an event pairing oyster-based advocacy with a bona fide rivalry on par with Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi. A rivalry … and a rigging? Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Bill requiring solar planning framework dies, returns, dies again

2 months ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

A bill to create a planning framework for solar development that keeps up with Virginia’s rapidly growing electricity needs died after extensive debate this week — then quietly came back to life, before petering out a day later. As recommended by the state Commission on Electric Utility Regulation, Sen. Creigh Deeds (D–Charlottesville) sponsored a bill that would have set regional and local planning requirements, and created frameworks to support that planning. Del.
EPA report details unaddressed issues with Richmond’s aging water system

2 months ago | vpm.org | Patrick Larsen

A long history led Richmond to its recent water crisis. One factor: Some of the city’s water infrastructure is more than 100 years old. Dwayne Roadcap, director of the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water, said that comes with responsibilities. “What that means is you have to be very good about your operation and maintenance, and checking systems and verifying that they're working, that you're doing the asset management that you need to be doing,” Roadcap said.

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