Shannon Heckt
LightNews LightNews
banner
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Shannon Heckt
@shannonheckt.bsky.social
470 followers 160 following 130 posts
Environment & Energy Reporter for the Virginia Mercury | Prev: Nexstar Louisiana | PNW raised | Washington State University alum | Work hard and be kind
Posts Replies Media Videos
shannonheckt.bsky.social
House Dems put two bills focused on energy efficiency on their priority list for the 2026 General Assembly Session. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/25/v...
Va. House Democrats make energy efficiency a key priority for legislative session • Virginia Mercury
Lawmakers have filed bills to create an energy efficiency task force and to mandate utilities give qualified customers efficiency upgrades by 2031.
virginiamercury.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are ending up in wastewater — which is made into biosolids to be used as fertilizer on farms. Some communities in Virginia are worried about the health risks and are turning to lawmakers for help. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/24/v...
Virginia communities push back against sewage sludge on agricultural land as PFAS concerns grow • Virginia Mercury
As worry mounts about health risks from exposure to ‘forever chemicals,’ Virginia communities push for testing and limits for biosolids.
virginiamercury.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
A board aimed at recurring flooding issues made recommendations for legislation the General Assembly could take up to address rising waters. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/briefs/flood...
Flooding board recommends legislation aimed at fighting rising seas • Virginia Mercury
Lawmakers are setting their priorities ahead of the next General Assembly session in January, which will begin days before a new governor takes office. As a new legislative era begins, climate issues ...
virginiamercury.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Spanberger has put together a trio of a former SCC commissioner, an SELC attorney, and an attorney with ties to the renewable energy and data center industry to head her energy policy transition. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/18/s...
Spanberger appoints energy policy transition team • Virginia Mercury
A former SCC commissioner, Southern Environmental Law Center lawyer, and a Google lobbyist head up the start of the policy shift
virginiamercury.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Former Gov. McAuliffe joins Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future as co-chair. The group is funded by the fossil fuel industry as a way to promote keeping gas power on the grid alongside renewable energy. #vagov #valeg

virginiamercury.com/briefs/forme...
Former Gov. McAuliffe joins pro-natural gas group as national co-chair • Virginia Mercury
Terry McAuliffe to promote natural gas as a route to long-term energy reliability as renewable energy sources are built out.
virginiamercury.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:23 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
As the data center sprawl creeps out of Northern Virginia, local governments are looking for how to draw them in while residents push back. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/g...
Goochland approves tech overlay district after hours of resident backlash • Virginia Mercury
Goochland County, home to just over 28,000 residents and more than two hours south of Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” is the latest locality to face intense community pushback over plans to l...
virginiamercury.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
With democrats in control, energy policies are expected to take new shape. Facing a looming energy crisis and new data centers popping up — the General Assembly is looking for solutions. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/11/07/e...
With Democrats in charge, Spanberger targets lower energy bills — and higher costs for data centers • Virginia Mercury
Fresh off a decisive election night, Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger is promising a sharp turn in Virginia’s energy policy.
virginiamercury.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
It’s finally Election Day, Virginia! Time to vote if you haven’t already #vagov
November 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
In rural Virginia, communities are growing concerned with forever chemicals found in biosolids spread on farms as fertilizer. The state doesn’t test that waste for PFAS, which can cause a slew of health problems.

virginiamercury.com/briefs/orang...
Orange County board asks state regulators to test biosolids for forever chemicals • Virginia Mercury
Farmers nationwide often use biosolids — human waste that has been treated by wastewater facilities — as a cheaper, readily available fertilizer option for their soils. But there is a rising concern o...
virginiamercury.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:53 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
A menhaden management board has voted to reduce harvest caps for the entire east coast by 20% next year. There are also efforts to reduce the special Chesapeake Bay cap for the reduction fishery in Virginia. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/m...
Menhaden management board votes to reduce 2026 catch quota for entire East Coast • Virginia Mercury
Conservation groups believe the move doesn’t go far enough, fisheries say it goes too far.
virginiamercury.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:21 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
In the final days leading up to the election, Democrats are campaigning on how they want to address the skyrocketing utility bills. However, Republicans have differing ideas on how to meet energy demands. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/20/a...
As election nears, Democrats campaign on high utility bills, energy plans • Virginia Mercury
Clean Virginia’s “The Energy Bills are Too Damn High” tour of the state stopped in Richmond Thursday night.
virginiamercury.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:48 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Shots of Richmond VA No Kings before marching started
October 18, 2025 at 6:32 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Waves of people march through Richmond for No Kings day protest
October 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Henrico-based Hyper is looking to help shorten the supply chain for critical data center equipment. Meanwhile, lawmakers look at how to get data centers to help manage the energy demand. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/14/y...
Youngkin touts Henrico firm powering Virginia’s data center boom • Virginia Mercury
Governor highlights Hyper’s role in meeting surging demand for energy-efficient equipment as lawmakers weigh grid capacity and policy changes.
virginiamercury.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
A study by GMU shows there needs to be better engagement with rural VA in order to meet VCEA goals and a bigger focus on energy efficiency. #vagov #valeg

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/g...
GMU energy report shows need for education on energy projects, efficiency focus • Virginia Mercury
George Mason University releases report on how Virginia could meet its renewable energy goals.
virginiamercury.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Osprey chicks are starving -- some point to the lack of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. One fishery says they're not to blame. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/s...
Study shows osprey chicks are starving; conservationists question connection to menhaden fishing • Virginia Mercury
Osprey song the Chesapeake Bay are struggling to keep hatchlings alive. Some groups blame over-fishing, while fisheries blame environmental reasons.
virginiamercury.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The Goochland board of supervisors will have to decide if they want to create a technology overlay district that will incentivize data centers, peaker plants, and small modular reactors to be built there. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/briefs/gooch...
Goochland nears approval of rezoning for data centers, power plants • Virginia Mercury
Goochland County is considering a technology overlay district to incentivize data centers and small nuclear reactors to be built there.
virginiamercury.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:16 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center has been a controversial project for central Virginia. The case is now being heard before the SCC for the commissioners to decide if it moves forward. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/25/c...
Case over proposed Chesterfield gas plant begins at SCC • Virginia Mercury
It’s up to the SCC to decide if the Dominion Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC) is needed and reasonable for ratepayers to cover.
virginiamercury.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:51 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The flood waters from Hurricane Helene reshaped some of the landscape on SWVA. The rebuild is taking some ingenuity and new tech to help prevent such destruction in the future. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/h...
Hurricane Helene reshaped parts of Southwest Virginia’s landscape. New adaptations are underway. • Virginia Mercury
The landscape has changed in parts of southwest Virginia following Hurricane Helene, leading recovery efforts to take some ingenuity.
virginiamercury.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
It’s been a year since Hurricane Helene ripped through SWVA. For the town of Damascus, they heavily rely on the VA Creeper Trail for business. With a major part still washed out — they’re turning to other features to draw people in. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/22/i...
In Damascus, business is down but hopes are high one year after Hurricane Helene • Virginia Mercury
A year after Hurricane Helene battered southwest Virginia, the town of Damascus is coming back strong.
virginiamercury.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The debate over high voltage power lines in a Loudoun neighborhood sets the stage for how the SCC plans to handle power demands and community concerns, especially around data centers. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/19/l...
Loudoun transmission line debate tees up SCC response to data center needs, resident concerns • Virginia Mercury
Loudoun County community members are fighting against high voltage power lines being built in their backyards to supply data centers with more power.
virginiamercury.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
Lawmakers are looking into energy efficiency, battery storage, and other technology as they consider legislation for next session. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-la...
Va. lawmakers weigh energy options for utilities to meet VCEA mandate, energy demand • Virginia Mercury
As Virginia grapples with rapidly increasing energy demands and skyrocketing utility bills, a group of state lawmakers are looking deeper into energy efficiency, community solar, and energy storage.
virginiamercury.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:06 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The proposed Chesterfield gas plant is drawing fierce opposition and support. The debate over energy demand vs environmental concerns continues #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/p...
Proposed Chesterfield gas plant draws community objections, industry support • Virginia Mercury
Virginia officials slammed Dominion Energy’s proposed peaker gas plant slated to be built in Chesterfield at an air permit hearing Monday night, as community members and their representatives said the...
virginiamercury.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The Virginia Mercury sat down with @SpanbergerForVA to hear her stances and policies. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/o...
On the record: Abigail Spanberger • Virginia Mercury
Part two of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education, ...
virginiamercury.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:40 AM
shannonheckt.bsky.social
The team here at the Virginia Mercury rounded up the details you need to know about the gubernatorial candidates on where they stand on the policies. Spanberger's On The Record will be published Tuesday. #valeg #vagov

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/08/o...
On the record: Winsome Earle-Sears • Virginia Mercury
Part one of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education, ...
virginiamercury.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:04 PM