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Top stories: NextEra-Dominion Energy merger, VBCPS drafts Chromebook policy, Ebola outbreak
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NextEra Energy announced Monday it will acquire Dominion Energy in an all-stock deal valued at about $67 billion, creating what the companies say would be the world’s largest regulated electric utility business by market capitalization.
Dominion Energy and NextEra agree to combine. What that means for Richmond.
The merger comes as artificial intelligence drives unprecedented electricity demand across the United States, with the combined company positioned to serve approximately 10 million utility customer accounts across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The deal represents one of the biggest proposed mergers this year and highlights the growing energy needs driven by data centers and AI infrastructure.
Bob McNab, an economics professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, said the merger is less about power customers and more about fueling the growth of AI data centers, particularly in Virginia, where Dominion Energy helps power hundreds of data centers across the state. “Everybody’s opening up their bills from their mailbox or getting that email and just groaning about the cost of electricity, and this probably does not mean those bills are going to go down,” McNab said.
The merger comes amid growing consumer pushback against rising electricity bills linked to AI data centers. Officials and lawmakers in at least six states — including Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — are taking new steps to block utility rate increases, with some pressing utilities to change how they finance major system upgrades. The deal requires approval from both companies’ shareholders and various regulatory bodies. McNab said the merger could eventually help stabilize costs, but only if the company can successfully expand energy generation fast enough to meet demand. The transaction is expected to close in 12 to 18 months if approved.
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Virginia Beach school leaders are moving closer to limiting Chromebook use for younger students.
Virginia Beach schools could reduce Chromebook use for younger students next year
Two months ago, News 3 first reported how some school leaders in Virginia Beach were considering dialing back Chromebook use for younger students. Now, a policy has been drafted that could go into effect next school year. Virginia Beach School Board Chair Kathleen Brown says the proposed policy could impact students in prekindergarten through second grade. It comes after the School Board sought feedback from families about Chromebook use…