AGP Executive Report

Defense & Training: The U.S. Navy stood up the Robot and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, aiming to turn autonomous tech into real combat power by training sailors on integration, tactics, and mission planning. AI Safety Push: Virginia’s AG Jeff Jackson joined a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents accessing systems beyond testing environments. Virginia Energy & Power: Tenaska’s Expedition Generation drew tough questions from county supervisors over water use, noise, and a new transmission line as the company shifted toward dry cooling to cut water demand. Data Centers & Permits: A New Jersey data center operator was hit with a $1.07M fine after satellite/thermal drone findings showed dozens of large gas generators running without required air permits. Local Infrastructure: Henrico is moving ahead on a $304M East End water pipeline, with design plans and surveys underway ahead of construction. Business Expansion: CYBR International launched a Regulation Crowdfunding raise to expand its AI-powered cyber and physical security work for federal and enterprise clients. Community & Recreation: Albemarle County won a $210.7K grant to extend Old Mills Trail toward Lego Farm, expanding public access to riverfront recreation. Fuel Watch (Virginia): GasBuddy reported the lowest E15 in Shenandoah County at $3.89/gal for the week ending Sept. 19.

AI Oversight Push: Virginia’s AG Nick Brown and a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general urged Congress to protect Americans from unchecked AI, calling for federal oversight while preserving state authority. Data Center Pressure in Virginia: Multiple reports highlight Virginia’s tightening stance on data centers and AI governance, as lawmakers and localities weigh power, water, and infrastructure strain. Food Assistance Legal Win: A federal judge permanently blocked Trump SNAP penalties after a multi-state lawsuit that included Virginia, protecting access for vulnerable households. Maritime Jobs & Investment: S23 Holdings plans a $180M expansion at River Port in Newport News, adding a shiplift and about 414 jobs to boost ship repair and maritime manufacturing. Virginia Health Policy: Sen. Mark Warner introduced bills to expand federal tick-borne disease efforts and improve protections for people with alpha-gal syndrome, citing a sharp rise in Virginia cases. Local Business & Community: A new nail salon opened in Corry, while Virginia’s Hotel Chocolat announced new store openings in Alexandria and other U.S. markets. Energy Watch: Gas prices stayed volatile in Virginia’s counties and cities, with multiple week-ending Sept. 19 lowest-price reports tracked by GasBuddy.

Data Centers & AI Policy: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger rolled out a data-center accountability framework and an AI task force, as lawmakers and utilities face mounting pressure over energy, water, and community impacts. Local Governance: Chesterfield supervisors deferred a plan to use data-center tax revenue to cut the car tax, while Prince William supervisors voted down Dominion’s Vint Hill gas-insulated switching station. Public Safety Tech: Harrisonburg passed an ordinance banning ALPR cameras, and a Senate hearing spotlighted Flock’s camera-network risks and how data is searched and shared. Energy & Infrastructure: Loudoun completed a new 24-hour crisis receiving and stabilization center in Leesburg, opening expected in October. Environment & Land Use: Calvert County residents alleged a 2025 rezoning near Calvert Cliffs cleared the way for major forest clearing for hyperscale data centers. Business & Jobs: A Virginia-based forensics firm faced DOJ claims about Russian control despite pitching itself as American-owned. Defense & Trade: The State Department approved a Japan ferry-support Foreign Military Sale, with Boeing as principal contractor. Culture & Community: Figure skaters in Vinton staged “Beetlejuice” on ice, and a new immersive “Tuskegee” production opened in Virginia Beach.

Data Centers & Power Policy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a Virginia data center accountability order, adding transparency tools, limits on backup diesel emissions, and a plan to study cumulative generator impacts—while critics flag internal contradictions around “bring your own” power and natural-gas limits. Local Development: A Delaware developer is evaluating Roanoke County’s Wood Haven Technology Park for a potential data center, with the regional authority saying the developer would fund needed water and power infrastructure. Community Pushback: In Henrico’s backyard, residents are alarmed by Goochland’s push to steer data centers along Route 288, citing health, safety, and strain on nearby schools and neighborhoods. Renewables Deal: Meta signed a 144MW Texas solar PPA with Apex, extending a multi-state clean-power push that includes a Virginia agreement. Defense & Shipyard Work: NAVFAC Atlantic awarded a $96.3M contract to upgrade Norfolk Naval Shipyard electrical distribution, supporting capacity and resilience for current and future fleet needs. Biotech & Jobs: Charlottesville’s CvilleBioHub says the region now hosts 250+ life science companies, tied to workforce pipelines with PVCC. Food & Farming: Farm Aid returns to Virginia Beach on Sept. 26, with Willie Nelson and others backing family farmers amid rising costs and pressure.

AI & Policy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger urged Congress to set federal AI rules, arguing states can only do so much as Virginia pushes its own AI task force and data-center accountability. Data Centers & Power: The Virginia SCC scheduled public hearings on the Dominion–NextEra merger, while local debates keep heating up over grid strain, permitting, and community impacts. Local Industry Watch: Henrico County acquired the Bowl America and nearby All Day Inn sites near Richmond International Airport, aiming for demolition and new development tied to airport growth. Energy/Logistics Costs: Higher diesel prices are squeezing Virginia food businesses, with retailers and restaurants reporting added weekly costs and pressure to keep menu prices steady. Food Security: A new Virginia Hunger Study found 42% of households food insecure, with Southwest Virginia and families with children hit hardest. Health & Research: A Stanford-led talk highlighted the science behind vaccines, and early ADHD research points to a new non-stimulant drug class. Community & Culture: Inthrive Film Festival screenings in Virginia spotlight stories from people who survived incarceration.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia’s data-center debate keeps heating up: Loudoun County voted 7-1 to pause new applications for 12 months, while Roanoke County officials say Wood Haven Technology Park is being evaluated as a possible data-center site under new state expectations. State Policy & Oversight: Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s data-center accountability push is also drawing attention beyond Virginia, as a federal House measure would push regulators to require large data centers to help pay for the electricity and transmission upgrades they need. AI in Public Systems: The FAA is rolling out an AI tool for air traffic management at its Virginia command center, but aviation experts are split on safety and the role of human controllers. Public Health: A new report warns that backup generator emissions tied to data-center power rules could raise asthma and health costs in Virginia. Food Security: A Virginia hunger study finds food insecurity has surged, with about four in 10 households with children facing enough-food problems. Local Politics: Newport News mayoral and council races are underway, with candidates focusing heavily on affordability and cost of living. Community & Culture: A traveling exhibit on African Americans who shaped Virginia communities is moving through local libraries.

Data Center Policy Shake-Up: Gov. Abigail Spanberger rolled out a sweeping Virginia Data Center Accountability Framework, including limits on non-disclosure agreements for state agencies and new rules that will require future legislation for major power-using projects. Federal Ratepayer Guardrails: The U.S. House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, pushing regulators to make data centers pay the full cost of electricity infrastructure—backed by Rep. Morgan Griffith. Aviation Tech Oversight: FAA launched an AI air-traffic tool (SMART) as airlines praise it, while Rep. Don Beyer calls for a pause over controller training and consultation. Defense & Space: Northrop Grumman won a DIU/Space Force contract to deliver a GHOST-R prototype satellite, with assembly and testing tied to Virginia. Local Infrastructure & Jobs: VDOT kept paving despite diesel price jumps; the Eastern Shore Rail to Trail opened a second segment in Cheriton ahead of schedule. Tourism & Community: Grayson County reported $14.5M in 2025 visitor spending, and the Cville Sabroso Festival returned to Ting Pavilion. Business Expansion: Buc-ee’s delayed New Kent opening to 2029, with expectations of up to 300 full-time jobs.

Tech & Jobs: Phasecraft, a U.K. quantum computing firm, is opening a U.S. headquarters in Arlington/Ballston, aiming to create 19 jobs and build on DARPA-linked work. Data Centers & Power Costs: The U.S. House advanced a federal standard that would require the biggest data centers to help pay for grid upgrades, while Virginia’s own push for “accountability” and AI oversight keeps the debate hot. Supply Chain (Virginia): Botetourt County manufacturers visited the Port of Virginia to strengthen shipping connections, highlighting the port’s deeper channel and logistics role for exporters/importers. Local Business Expansion: Buc-ee’s announced six more store openings in 2027 across the Southeast and beyond. Food Security (Virginia): A new Virginia Hunger Study says 37% of Blue Ridge households faced food insecurity, with 42% statewide. Public Policy & Secrecy: Food & Water Watch is calling for bans on government NDA deals tied to AI data center approvals. Crypto/Finance: Virginia-based Strategy bought 950 Bitcoin for $75.7M, lifting holdings to 846,000 BTC. Health Access: Children’s National launched “Provider Direct” to streamline specialty care access across the Mid-Atlantic.

Data Centers & Power Demand: A new report from researchers at ECOnorthwest and the University of Virginia says Oregon’s 111 data centers used more than 14 terawatt-hours of electricity last year—about 71% of what the state sells to homes—nearly quadrupling since 2020 and straining grid needs. Virginia Transparency Push: Virginia leaders are moving to curb secretive data center deals: Sen. Tim Kaine urged open negotiations, while Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order banning state agencies from requiring NDAs on data center projects. Utility Billing Fallout: Richmond is dealing with a rough rollout of a new customer service system, with utility billing errors and a spike in call-center wait times after the May launch. Labor & Supply Chain: StarKist, based in Reston, Virginia, faces forced-labor allegations from migrant fishers tied to tuna supply vessels, raising new scrutiny for the company’s practices. Local Business & Growth: Duck Donuts finally opened in College Park after permit and fire-safety delays, while Benchmark Senior Living continues expanding its footprint across states including Virginia. Maritime Workforce: The EYC Foundation awarded 12 marine and maritime scholarships, supporting students from Virginia and beyond.

Virginia Data Centers & AI Scrutiny: A new AP-NORC poll finds Americans’ concern about AI’s environmental impact is rising fast, with many also worried about local data-center effects and electricity use. Energy Deal Watch: NextEra and Dominion unveiled a bigger Virginia benefits package tied to their merger—more bill credits, a larger supplier program, and workforce commitments—while lawmakers push for affordability and accountability. Nuclear Power Boost: NextEra secured a $1.9B DOE loan to restart Iowa’s Duane Arnold plant, signaling how utilities are chasing new capacity as demand climbs with AI. Policy Push on Data Centers: Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s data-center accountability framework and executive order are drawing mixed reactions as the state tightens rules and sets an AI task force. Chesapeake Bay Stormwater Fight: Trump revoked an Obama-era Chesapeake Bay policy used to justify stormwater fees, but experts say local/state authority makes fee changes far from automatic. Workforce & Industry: Virginia Tech moved soil submissions online, and the week also highlighted training and permitting pressures tied to the broader infrastructure buildout. Local Governance: Fairfax County approved an ordinance targeting “criminal blight,” giving police a faster path to corrective action on repeat problem properties.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Virginia’s new data center “accountability” push is drawing pushback from the Virginia Chamber, which warns added permitting and confidentiality limits could hurt investment competitiveness, even as Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s framework and AI task force aim to curb energy-cost impacts. Energy & Infrastructure: The Army Corps of Engineers will begin next month dredging the Lewes–Rehoboth Canal, a near-$10M contract that will move sediment to placement sites and likely narrow the channel through March 2027. Agriculture Emergency: Gov. Spanberger declared a state of emergency over Virginia’s hay shortage tied to drought, with Rep. Morgan Griffith backing the move as farmers’ access to feed tightens. Workforce & Education: A Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission report says boys are falling behind in early education and later workforce engagement, calling for targeted policy interventions. Environment & Fisheries: Chesapeake Bay blue crab surveys show a rebound, estimating 349 million crabs—up 46% year over year—after years of low numbers. Local Politics: Fredericksburg council member Jannan Holmes says she’ll run for the House of Delegates’ 65th District seat next year.

Data Centers & AI Policy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger rolled out Virginia’s Data Center Accountability Framework and launched an AI task force, aiming to give communities more transparency and say while tightening standards on energy use, environmental impacts, and risks like privacy and workforce disruption. Local Backlash, Mixed Signals: A grassroots “Data Center Revolt” bus tour in Alexandria drew only a small crowd, underscoring how loud opposition can be while turnout stays thin. Defense Tech (Virginia-linked): Leidos, a Reston-based contractor, won an $85M ceiling contract for aircraft design software under the Air Force’s VOLARE program, with work running through 2036. Military Readiness (Portsmouth): The Navy awarded Kato Engineering a $49.3M sustainment deal for EMALS energy storage subsystem support, including parts work in Portsmouth. Industrial Manufacturing (Virginia): IperionX received a second Army task order to expand titanium powder-to-part manufacturing at its Virginia facility, pushing domestic supply capacity. Community & Infrastructure: Henrico County’s public works teams are advancing fall traffic-safety and utility modernization projects across multiple districts.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger rolled out a “Data Center Accountability Framework” and Executive Order 22, tightening environmental standards (energy efficiency, water use, noise), requiring local approval for projects over 25 megawatts, banning non-disclosure agreements between state agencies and developers, and creating an AI task force—sparking pushback from industry groups and opponents who argue the rules don’t go far enough. Local Permitting & Community Impact: Roanoke County highlighted how NDAs can block neighbors from learning plans for potential data center sites, while Effingham County planners said existing zoning and conditional-use rules may be enough—no separate data center ordinance needed. Energy Demand Reality Check: A broader national debate is framing AI power needs as a political issue, with governors tightening conditions as residents worry about electricity costs and grid strain. Virginia Agriculture Tech: Virginia Tech launched an online system for soil testing submissions and tracking, replacing paper forms and adding credit card payments. Consumer Safety: Abbott baby formula faces major payouts after alleged safety lapses, while Virginia poison control warned about mislabeled kratom/cat’s claw products. Transportation & Infrastructure: Hampton Roads broke ground on the final I-64 express lane segment in Norfolk, with construction expected to run into late 2029.

Aviation & Infrastructure: The FAA says President Trump’s planned triumphal arch near Arlington Cemetery won’t interfere with flight paths into Reagan National, though it still requires notification before construction. Roadbuilding: Montgomery County will start an $8.3M intersection upgrade at Prices Fork and Peppers Ferry Roads late Sept., with lane closures/flagging expected through 2027. Workforce & Education: Eastern Shore Community College opened a Virginia Career Works center in Melfa to connect job seekers, employers, and students with counseling, résumés, mock interviews, and internships. Agriculture: Gov. Spanberger declared a hay shortage state of emergency, using over-width transport waivers and price-gouging protections to move feed as drought impacts reach a 500,000-ton shortfall. Data Centers & AI Policy: Gov. Spanberger rolled out a Data Center Accountability Framework, including banning state NDAs for projects over 25 MW, tightening local approval, and creating an AI task force amid backlash over energy costs and environmental impacts. Consumer Finance Enforcement: DC and 40 states reached a $694M settlement with Credit Acceptance over predatory auto loans, requiring disclosures and added consumer protections. Virginia Industry Watch: Bechtel notified officials that about 200 Reston roles could be affected after splitting with TerraPower, though it expects few, if any, layoffs.

Data Centers & Power/Water: A federal judge in Virginia rejected DOJ’s push to break up Google’s ad tech, but still ordered behavioral changes—another reminder that tech infrastructure keeps getting regulated. Local Governance: Hampton and Chesapeake city council races are heating up around data-center moratoriums and rules, with candidates split on how to balance growth, affordability, and infrastructure strain. Energy & Agriculture: Gov. Spanberger declared a state of emergency as Virginia’s hay shortage worsens, with drought-driven feed costs climbing and emergency measures aimed at stabilizing supplies. Workforce & Industry: GO Virginia awarded $332,900 for manufacturing workforce training expansion in the Shenandoah Valley, targeting industrial maintenance, precision machining, automation, and robotics. Defense/Shipbuilding: Huntington Ingalls won a Navy contract for long-lead materials for the USS William J. Clinton carrier program, keeping Newport News on the nuclear-carrier build track. Business & Logistics: Estes Express Lines plans nearly $56M to expand cross-border and offshore freight capacity. Community & Business Openings: Mellow Mushroom announced its Oct. 26 Danville grand opening. Elections: Early in-person voting begins in Virginia for the Nov. 3 midterms, including a Frederick County sales tax referendum for school construction.

Utility & Grid Pressure: Virginia’s data-center boom is straining power systems, with Dominion projecting fivefold load growth by 2038 and a study warning typical households could see higher electricity costs. Energy Policy & Oversight: Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi’s “Energy Costs Listening Tour” is pushing for more scrutiny and legislative oversight of the Dominion–NextEra merger as opponents warn of higher bills and shutoffs. Consumer Protection (Auto Lending): Virginia is part of a multistate push that secured a $694M settlement with subprime lender Credit Acceptance Corporation, including cash and debt relief plus requirements to improve disclosures and limit dealer “packing” of add-ons. Public Health & Research: Stanford-led work reports an existing anti-seizure drug, levetiracetam, can slow diffuse midline glioma growth in children, with plans for clinical trials. Industry Growth (Semiconductors): Gradiant won $300M in new water-treatment contracts for U.S. semiconductor fabs, including Virginia sites, targeting reuse and zero-liquid-discharge systems. Agriculture Emergency: Virginia declared a state of emergency over drought-driven hay shortages, signaling pressure on livestock producers. Local Governance: A Malad, Idaho road project dispute continues as residents question costs and transparency.