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Virginia’s K-12 Funding Formula: What the JLARC Report Means for Counties — and What Comes Next  In the latest episode of VACo’s Uplifting Our Children Through Education podcast series, host Jeremy R. Bennett is joined by Justin Brown, Associate Director of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), and Mark Gribbin, Chief Legislative Analyst (JLARC) and project leader for JLARC’s landmark 2023 report on Virginia’s K-12 funding formula.   The JLARC study, directed by the General Assembly, found that Virginia’s current Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formula significantly underestimates the true cost of providing a high-quality public education. While the SOQ formula calculated that school divisions needed roughly $10.7 billion in combined state and local funding in FY21, actual division spending exceeded $17 billion—leaving counties to absorb much of the gap.   During the conversation, Brown and Gribbin walk listeners through why JLARC undertook the study, how the formula has evolved over time, and which structural issues—such as outdated staffing assumptions, labor cost adjustments, and the treatment of higher-needs students—continue to place pressure on local government budgets.   The episode also explores the report’s near-term and long-term recommendations, progress made by the General Assembly since the report’s release, and what counties should watch for in upcoming legislative sessions. Listeners will gain valuable insight into how the JLARC findings are shaping state policy discussions and why continued county engagement is essential to achieving a more transparent, predictable, and equitable funding system for Virginia’s public schools.   Tune in to hear how this landmark report is influencing K-12 education funding debates and what it means for county leaders working to uplift children through education Link to JLARC Report and Supporting Documents can be accessed here. VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett

Championing K-12: Advocacy & Collaboration Between Boards of Supervisors and School Boards In this episode of Uplifting Our Children Through Education, host Jeremy Bennett sits down with J.T. Kessler, a classroom teacher and longtime advocate for public education, to explore the essential partnerships that shape K-12 outcomes across Virginia. Drawing on his hands-on experience in both North Carolina and Virginia schools, J.T. offers a dual practitioner-advocate perspective on how boards of supervisors, school boards, and the broader school community can work together to advance student success. Jeremy and J.T. discuss what effective K-12 advocacy looks like at the local and state levels, how communication between local governing bodies can strengthen funding and policy outcomes, and why collaboration remains critical as localities prepare for future General Assembly sessions. The conversation also examines shared priorities such as teacher recruitment and retention, school infrastructure, capital planning, equitable access for rural and low-wealth communities, and navigating Virginia’s education funding and regulatory landscape. With a focus on practical strategies, lived classroom experience, and opportunities for joint advocacy, this episode highlights the importance of building strong relationships between school leaders, county officials, and community stakeholders to ensure every student has access to quality learning environments.

In this episode of the Uplifting Our Children Through Education series, host Jeremy R. Bennett sits down with three local leaders from Prince Edward County to explore the powerful intersection of history, policy and infrastructure in public education. Joining Jeremy are: Douglas W. Stanley, County Administrator for Prince Edward County;Cainain Townsend, Executive Director of the Robert Russa Moton Museum and member of the Prince Edward County School Board; andDr. Donald “Chip” Jones, Jr., Superintendent of Prince Edward County Public Schools.Together they trace the legacy of Barbara Johns and the 1951 Moton School student protest, challenge the realities of aging school infrastructure in a rural locality, and dive into efforts to finance tomorrow’s learning environments — including recent state-legislative initiatives around local referenda, sales-tax options and the future of school-construction funding. Listeners will learn how the community is balancing heritage, equity and capital investment, and what it takes for counties like Prince Edward to uplift children through strategic partnerships and forward-looking planning. Prince Edward County Supervisor Jerry Townsend (right) and Prince Edward County Administrator Doug StanleyPrince Edward County Elementary School Rendering 1Prince Edward County Elementary School Rendering 2Prince Edward County Elementary School Photo 1Prince Edward County Elementary School Photo 2

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 23 | Using Wood Byproducts to Make Sustainable Energy. In a conversation with Terry Lasher, Executive Director for the Virginia Forestry Association, we learn how Virginia’s forest economy contributes to sustainable energy production. We also discuss the potential for utilizing forestry and agriculture waste to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode Wood Supply Chain (Forest Resources Association)Virginia Forest Carbon Report (Forest Resources Association)Virginia Forestry Association and Virginia Forestry FoundationCAAFI - Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative | Sustainable Aviation FuelWisconsin Forestry Revitalization Act - $210 million (tax credits and bonds) to supplement $1.5 billion private investment in plant to make jet fuel from wood biomassAgricultural Technology Innovation (ATIP) FoundationATIP - Advancing the Bioeconomy in SW Virginia (webinar slides)We value your feedback. Please share your thoughts on the Energy Landscape of Virginia Podcast here. 

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 22 | Logging and Biomass Energy Production. Joe Lerch visits the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Halifax County Biomass plant to learn how biomass energy production contributes to the health of Virginia’s forests and the environment. The episode begins with a conversation with plant manager Mike Davis and Palmer Dugger of L.P. Dugger Logging followed up with a tour of the facility. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode. NOVEC Halifax County Biomass Electric Generating Facility L P Dugger Logging, L.L.C Forest Sustainability Fund for Local Government: Virginia Department of ForestryPhoto 1 and Photo 2

Joe Lerch and James Hutzler visit Rob Farrell, State Forester and Director of the Virginia Department of Forestry, to learn how management of Virginia’s oak and hickory forests can be combined with biomass energy production. We also take a tour of a forested plot to learn in depth how effective trees species management can produce a renewable source of energy. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode Report of the Biomass Advisory Panel – December 30, 2024 (Virginia Department of Forestry)Hardwood Initiative: Virginia Department of ForestryWhite Oak Initiative - Ensuring Regeneration of White OakPictures of Tree Species 

In this episode of the Uplifting Our Children Through Education series, Host Jeremy Bennett sits down with County Administrator Carol Steele and Deputy County Administrator Maria Calloway of Gloucester County to discuss the county’s school construction journey—from the local sales-tax referendum to planning, community engagement, and delivering modern learning spaces. Hear how Gloucester aligned vision, funding, and partnerships to support student success and long-term community growth.

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 20 | The Convergence of Farming with Solar: What is Agrivoltaics?  Joe Lerch talks with Rachel Henley, Working Lands and State Advocacy Specialist with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation to explore how farms and solar installations can coexist and what the term “Agrivoltaics” means within this context. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode 4 The Soil - initiative of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and Virginia Cooperative Extension to raise awareness of soil as a critical natural resource.Virginia Tech study sheds light on solar farm impacts to property values | Virginia Tech News | Virginia TechImpact of large-scale solar on property values in the United States: Diverse effects and causal mechanismsUtility-Scale Solar in Virginia - Virginia Cooperative Extension Webinars Solar Farms – Managing Soil & Water Impacts – Soil and Landscape Rehabilitation"RE-EVALUATING THE LAND USE IMPACTS OF UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY DEVEL" by Damian Pitt, Aaron R. Berryhill et al.

Episode 19 – Balancing Demand and Supply in the Regional Electric Grid – Discussion with PJM Interconnection. Joe Lerch talks with Jason Stanek, Executive Director of State Government Policy with PJM Interconnection the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) for 13 states and the District Columbia in which Virginia’s electric utilities are members. They discuss the role PJM plays in generation and transmission of electricity and how policies and decisions at the state and local level have impacts on reliability and pricing in the bulk energy market. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode PJM Website - HomepageEffective Load Carrying Capability (ELCC) Class Ratings by generation type - 2026/2027 Base Residual AuctionAsim Haque (PJM) Presentation to the Commission on Electric Utility Commission (CEUR) - May 22, 2025 (presentation starts at 1:25:31) Asim Haque Slide PresentationVACo 2025 Department of Energy Webinar - Demand Response Opportunities for CountiesVirginia narrowly avoided power cuts when 60 data centers dropped off the grid at once - DCD Jason Stanek, Executive Director State Government Policy - PJM, [email protected]

State and Local Housing Policy – Comparison of Maryland and Virginia with MACo Conduit Street Podcast. Joe Lerch talks with Dominic Butchko, Director of Intergovernmental Relations with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) to discuss housing policy and legislation with our neighbors to the North. Listeners to episode 17 of our Energy Landscape of Virginia series will recognize this as part 2 of our foray into comparing how the Virginia and Maryland legislatures tackle prominent issues involving county land use, and the role that local governments play in addressing energy and housing needs. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode Maryland Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024Underdevelopment Despite Upzoning (Presentation to Virginia Housing Commission July 15, 2024 - 1:02:47 - Video Archive) Underdevelopment Despite Upzoning - Richard Schragger, Sarah New -  Virginia Environmental Law Journal, 1 (2024) Maryland HB 1466 (awaiting action by the Governor) - Land Use and Real Property - Accessory Dwelling Units - Requirements and ProhibitionsVirginia HB 2533 (effective July 1, 2025) - comprehensive plan; tiny homes; accessory dwelling unitsDistrict of Columbia - Residential Accessory Apartment Program (RAAP)Virginia Building Code - Accessory Dwelling Units - 2018 USBCCode of Virginia - § 15.2-983. Creation of registry for short-term rental of propertyVirginia -  Report on the Findings and Recommendations of the Residential Infrastructure Fund Work Group (Chapter 509, 2024)Economic Development Workforce Housing Incentive Pilot Program (Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission)Aquifer Recharge - Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) - Hampton Roads Sanitation DistrictAnne Arundel County, Maryland - Managed Aquifer Recharge§ 15.2-2223.3. Comprehensive plan shall incorporate strategies to combat projected sea-level rise and recurrent flooding

Joe Lerch talks with Dominic Butchko, Director of Intergovernmental Relations with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) to compare both the differences and similarities between Maryland and Virginia when it comes to energy and its intersection with county land use and local authority. With a focus on state legislative policy and action, we delve into issues of utility-scale generation, energy storage, transmission, and the growing demand for electricity from the data center industry.  Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode UVA Weldon Cooper – Solar DatabaseVirginia (DEQ) Environmental Excellence Award – Nevados SolarPJM Regional Transmission Organization (RTO)Maryland Piedmont Reliability ProjectCommonwealth Fusion Systems – Chesterfield County Project

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 11 | Nuclear Power, Small Modular Reactors, and Fusion  In 2023 nuclear power produced approximately one-third of all power from Virginia sources while representing only 12 percent of all generation capacity in the Commonwealth. Dominion Energy operates Virginia’s four nuclear units in plants located in Louisa and Surry counties, each with a capacity of more than 900 megawatts in generation. Each unit operates continuously at capacity, only coming off-line temporarily to refuel approximately every 18 months. In this episode, we sat down with Erich Fritz, manager of business development, and Marc Hofmann, manager of nuclear emergency preparedness and licensing with Dominion to learn more about their existing nuclear fleet, their plans for developing small modular reactors, as well as their partnership with Commonwealth Fusion Systems to assist in building Virginia’s first commercially operating nuclear fusion reactor. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode: Dominion Energy Nuclear FacilitiesDominion seeking small nuclear reactor proposals • Virginia MercuryAppalachian Power - SMR PlanCommonwealth Fusion Systems to Build World’s First Commercial Fusion Power Plant in Virginia | Commonwealth Fusion SystemsCalifornia ISO – Today’s Outlook for Supply and Renewables

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems District Energy Systems are a proven engineering solution that conveys heat between suppliers and users, between or among buildings. Excess heat generated by the multitude of data centers located Virginia provides an opportunity to supply heat to adjoining uses, thereby reducing overall energy consumption within what is known as a District Energy System. Joe Lerch talks with Executive Director Bob Lazaro  and Senior Regional Planner Dale Medearis with Northern Virginia Regional Commission, about their longstanding work on promoting the use of District Energy Systems as part of an overall energy savings and efficiency strategy for the region. We’ll learn how leaders in the data center industry are making this happen, and what local governments can do to facilitate the use of excess heat from their operations. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode District Energy Supported by Excess Heat from Data Centers – NVRC Site Visit Markham, CanadaDistrict Energy and the Potential for Applications in Northern Virginia – NVRC webinar/October 22, 2024NVRC Resilience HubData Center Proximity to Public Facilities (interactive map)District Energy Systems: An Analysis of Virginia Law

Joe Lerch talks with Aaron Berryhill, Solar Program Manager with Virginia Department of Energy on the latest numbers in Virginia for solar installations. We cover a wide range of sources that inform how much utility-scale, community-scale, and rooftop solar has been installed in the Commonwealth. For information and assistance contact: Aaron Berryhill Solar Program Manager Virginia Department of Energy [email protected] Office: 804.486.2754 / Cell: 804.839.6978  Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode Virginia Energy – Solar Power Webpage  U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – Electricity Data  Virginia Solar Database – University of Virginia | Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service Updated Utility-Scale Solar Land Use Report (2025) Solar and wind power curtailments are rising in California – EIA, October, 2023 online article Accelerated Renewable Energy Buyers – Dominion Energy Certification Process