5/19/26 - NextEra Energy to acquire Dominion Energy

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You're listening to you're listening to. to the VPN Daily Newscast, the recap of today's top stories in Central Virginia. From the VPN Newsroom in Richmond, I'm Kim Strother. Dominion Energy has announced it has been bought by Florida-based Next Era Energy. VPM News's Billy Shields reports. Dominion Energy is agreed to be acquired by Next Era Energy for $67 billion in an all-stock transaction. The power company announced Monday morning the company's tout the deal is creating the world's largest

regulated electric company. Dominion is considered a key player empowering the burgeoning data center market with booming data center growth in the Commonwealth's driving skyrocketing demand for new energy generation. The combined company will trade as next era energy, but both Dominion and next era will continue to operate under their existing names in their current markets. Here's Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on the merger. Just on first blush, it certainly marks a pretty significant level of expansion. Some of the things that have been publicly reported about their commitment to ratepayer savings and potential investments, certainly in renewables. Dominion, which started in the 1920s as the Virginia Electric and Power Company provides

electricity to Virginia and Carolinas. Next era, which includes Florida power and light, the largest electric utility in the U.S. provides power to Florida. Billy Shields, VPM News. Dominion Energy is a VPN sponsor. Reproductive health care advocates kicked off a campaign Saturday to educate. voters about a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November. Several hundred people showed up to a rally at the Virginia State Capitol Building to support an amendment that protects reproductive

health care, including access to abortions and IVF. Dr. Amy Nelson, a Richmond area OBGYN, said the measure prevents political interference in medical care. This ballot measure also ensures that patients, not politicians are in control of their reproductive health, and that providers like me can do our jobs guided by medical expertise in our patient's needs. Opponents argue it doesn't set any restrictions around abortions and eliminates a need for parental involvement in reproductive care for minors. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a bill last week that bans the future sales of some semi-automatic firearms in Virginia. VPM News's Dean Mears Shahi has more.

Starting July 1st, people can't buy, sell, manufacture, or import semi-automatic rifles, pistols, or shotguns that can carry more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The ban also covers magazines that have more than 15 rounds, but not firearms bought before July 1st. Pro-gun rights groups said they would sue as soon as Abigail Spanberger signed the bill, and they did. The National Rifle Association is behind one case in federal court and one in state court that's at. asking a judge to block the law before it takes effect. John Comerford is the executive director of the NRA's lobbying arm. He says the new law bans a broad range of guns that have several uses. They're used for self-defense.

They're used for competition. They're used for hunting. And it doesn't matter if you use them at all. It's your constitutional right to possess them. Meanwhile, state senator Saddam Saleem, a Fairfax Democrat who proposed the bill, says he believes the law will survive the legal challenges. Dean, Your Shahi, VPN News. Richmond has opened its summer cooling stations to help keep people safe with the forecasted warm temperatures.

All Richmond Public Library locations offer air-conditioned spaces. The city's outdoor pools will open this Saturday, May 23rd. The city will provide water and air-conditioned spaces at Southside Plaza and the Community Resource and Training Center on Chamberlain Avenue. Hours and days of operation vary, but the city's cooling stations will be available. through Labor Day. This has been the VPM Daily Newscast. VPM.