A pair of anglers look toward the Richmond skyline as they fish for striped bass in the James River. (Photo by Evan Visconti/For the Virginia Mercury)
As the state prepares to inaugurate its next governor and lawmakers return to Richmond for 2026 next General Assembly legislative session this week, energy and environment policies are expected to dominate debates. Advocacy groups are laying out policies they want to see garner lawmakers’ support and the governor’s signature, with many familiar bills that failed in recent years.
With a hefty Democratic majority in the House of Delegates and a slimmer Democratic hold in the Senate, several bills that had previously been vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin that will make a return. Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger has already outlined multiple measures aimed at efficiency programs and reducing the need for transmission line buildouts that she plans to support…