[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6058539,"mediaKeyId","3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40","parentId",3297080,"title","Rappahannock Electric outlines plan to separate large data‑center loads from member rates","audioSeconds",877,"startMs",1726000,"endMs",2603000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40&start=1726&end=2603","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40/thumbnail_1726000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6058539/Madison-County/Virginia/Rappahannock-Electric-outlines-plan-to-separate-large-datacenter-loads-from-member-rates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058539-2f373a495a0c7f7d673654f01d996003/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700599&Signature=mNc062cFETiMO5CFJQ3gxyV3eBD-evTCQ2rvlMzMsew8n~NP2bpTo-FD6UZmuW9DYTf6I2chjhyg2MYzP-HyAfMNXNttihJWL5bc4b1s7whJxqyBjGlPiMFApCck8kUg9DxXwKVE3~5s4uMWpUYouCc9MCrWC8Bw9-FAes6HukMoJtICt8NoU5zdTaoG0G80muVvZknJkgLdB5wBPabESGagliSbUznBtxc8oaFad8MzhuG2CyhSs8MDvPgLhb043IZtrhO6M-eNIzOpQNFw2w0JQWPqs9jlw3W5UUqnPVxuZr5ZHLXxJ49QRTkoJoIwU1XeTYsVhyLQH7BYDCIqyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madison County, VA","date","2025-05-14T15:59:47.717Z","article","Rappahannock Electric Cooperative officials told the Madison County Board of Supervisors they are pursuing legal and rate changes intended to keep costs for residential and small‑business members separate from very large electricity customers such as hyperscale data centers.

The cooperative’s director of government affairs, Lindsay Watson, told the board REC is “growing, and I want to provide you with an update,” and described a two‑track strategy: create a wholly owned affiliate to buy power on the wholesale market for large customers and file a dedicated tariff to recover costs from those customers rather than from REC’s traditional membership.

Why it matters: REC serves parts of multiple Virginia counties that include Madison County. Board members pressed REC on how rapid data‑center growth could affect reliability and price for local customers. REC said separating large loads into a subsidiary and a dedicated tariff would allocate the costs of delivery, construction and transmission to those facilities and reduce the risk that non‑participating members would underwrite a large customer’s infrastructure or a payment default.

Key facts and process: Watson said REC serves about 180,000 accounts and that the co‑op has seen interest equal to thousands of megawatts beyond its historic peak. REC Chief Financial Officer Steven Roddy said, “it took us 100 years to get to 180,000 members,” and described filings REC has made at the State Corporation Commission (SCC). REC has: (1) formed Hyperscale Energy Services as a wholly owned affiliate; (2) had an operating services agreement (OSA) between REC and Hyperscale approved on Feb. 17; and (3) filed a Large Power Dedicated Facility (LPDF) tariff with the SCC on March 12. The LPDF proposal would apply to individual loads above 25 megawatts with high capacity factors and base charges on installed capacity and substation costs rather than solely on energy usage.

Financial protections REC described include up‑front contributions in aid of construction for substations, collateral or other financial assurances for transmission charges, and contracting (energy services and power services agreements) that would pass wholesale market purchases through the affiliate and onto the customer. REC said those mechanisms are intended to ensure the cost of new substations, redundancy and operating and maintenance expenses are borne by the large customer rather than diluted across the membership.

Unresolved items: The LPDF tariff is under SCC review and REC staff said they are responding to questions. Board members asked how additional demand will be met regionally; REC referenced PJM planning and ODEC (its generation/wholesale partner) and said new generation and transmission will be required across the PJM footprint. REC also told the board that the Virginia Clean Energy Economy Act does not directly bind cooperatives under the same procurement requirements as investor‑owned utilities, but REC will procure in the market and thereby inherit the market’s resource mix.

Local context and next steps: REC urged communities to use the SCC public comment period if they want to weigh in on the LPDF tariff; REC said the law enabling cooperatives to use a subsidiary to serve very large loads was passed this year and signed by Governor Youngkin and becomes effective in July. The board did not take formal action during the meeting; REC fielded questions and offered to provide further details to county staff.

Ending: REC officials said they will continue to engage the SCC process and to brief local governments; Madison County supervisors said they would track the filings and consider whether to submit comments during the SCC public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors' Meeting 05/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rappahannock Electric Cooperative officials told the Madison County Board of Supervisors they are pursuing legal and rate changes intended to keep costs for residential and small‑business members separate from very large electricity customers such as hyperscale data centers.","taxTitle","Madison County, Virginia","taxId",37279,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058521,"Supervisors told to update local subdivision and site‑plan ordinances after state law shifts reviews to designated official",3057,1473000,4530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40&start=1473&end=4530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40/thumbnail_1473000.jpg","/articles/6058521/Madison-County/Virginia/Supervisors-told-to-update-local-subdivision-and-siteplan-ordinances-after-state-law-shifts-reviews-to-designated-official","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058521-7f7f0c7c2bdbc418a6903641f5d95853/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700599&Signature=Jm3uwn5FGjj0wHYMYkxvQ6PnNLeLakT03XAlZO0y0394x0heruk7IlFIbAoKlrS4OEK8KaRMM622pwt7FxaOoGKSzvKSpB2jzu5ZJIp06i7Iqrh~3wqM3HfOxPh26bi7-~95QQUrOTdWVtLkDwScJyFMwORKYcn-gI4lck29TnYP4iB3YQCjNy2TmSAld8Dn1h0xmhO8JUPMubRKcBKYTrprvMU7Y0PXATX4PlzfKCBAwtw4rX~9cUk8ppg4VZocGHdNqeFPbWTB8dVvtZBq0ms50JnqakdRkcimdrvFoX3IKNep4H5VzPIYGlOgFYCbDtQgSE0D3w93a85oTaWnhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff alerted the Madison County Board of Supervisors that Senate Bill 974 changes state law to shift administrative review of some site‑plan and development matters from the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to a designated local official, effective July 1.

Why it matters: The law shortens review timelines and gives more administrative authority to a designated reviewer, which staff said will require ordinance amendments to reflect the new statutory process. Staff warned that the statutory deadlines are developer‑friendly and that the county should carefully define what constitutes a “completed application” to avoid unintended waivers or premature approvals.

What staff will do: The county attorney and planning staff said they will draft ordinance amendments to implement the new process and will present a draft to the board by its May 27 meeting. Staff recommended an initial, limited amendment to ensure continuity after July 1, followed by a more thorough ordinance review later to address details such as application completeness and review timelines.

Board and stakeholder process: Staff proposed sharing drafts with the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee before returning to the board; the board agreed staff should brief both advisory bodies so they can provide input. Several supervisors expressed concern that the statutory timeline reduces citizen review and urged careful drafting to preserve public notice and key checks where possible.

Ending: County staff and counsel said they will prepare the ordinance language, brief the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee, and return to the board with a draft amendment for consideration prior to the July 1 effective date.","Following Senate Bill 974, county staff said administrative review of certain site plans and development plans will move from Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to a designated local official after July 1; staff will prepare ordinance amendments and present a draft to the board by May 27.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058525,"Board sets June 10 public hearing on school‑zone speed camera ordinance and draft contract with vendor",118,6830000,6948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40&start=6830&end=6948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40/thumbnail_6830000.jpg","/articles/6058525/Madison-County/Virginia/Board-sets-June-10-public-hearing-on-schoolzone-speed-camera-ordinance-and-draft-contract-with-vendor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058525-bb5ef00bc462669e488e144b665ec146/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700599&Signature=iWaHf5v1P1HOVk6NbE8UKceuz8EpSYAsD1aB4uz3br0rwRcmA3tuJEm0mjXwA9ZRqhS2F9G3Yv6~g0j~omDRA0tH8rAjWGJCX7lmDSo9iX3nQLemI39s3IEi3Ic8HTWCxt3mIJNaINkmz1n048FUyIDQvNDKsdmfVcy6bkCmbhLcQLeDWg92DeJEgCmGg8xK0fmex3J7T4HAfrcXaRDcZQoSbpjboFjjWz2X8sxZ0t7tP~cWZ1U-yCQCBrGXcCJQxpc7DKsb26ROTPQVuW2SHjThjPaSVISlPwqQlrDHy5vynAbHDqscQy7ajeGWXntfVexj6W1Qd3MJ31vhoJXCQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a public hearing for June 10 on a draft ordinance that would allow civil fines for automated school‑zone speed enforcement and to continue negotiating contract language with the vendor Blue Line.

County staff told the board the draft ordinance is required because automated enforcement in school zones is a civil‑fine authority and must be authorized by local ordinance. Staff also reported that Blue Line accepted contract language changes proposed by county counsel and that the contract is being reviewed for final drafting; the county’s staff recommended setting the public hearing so the board can consider adoption after public comment.

Why it matters: Adoption of an ordinance would allow the county to sign a vendor contract and implement automated speed enforcement in designated school zones, subject to the ordinance’s terms, the contract and state law. Staff noted the relevant state statute caps civil fines for such violations; the draft ordinance includes the maximum $100 cap as an initial option for the board to consider.

Board action: A supervisor moved to advertise a June 10 public hearing; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said that after the public hearing and any adjustments to the ordinance, the board could adopt the ordinance and authorize the county administrator to execute the vendor contract if the board chooses.

Next steps: Staff will post the draft ordinance and contract on the county website ahead of the June 10 hearing and continue negotiations with Blue Line to finalize contract language recommended by county counsel. The board retains discretion on the fine amount, camera locations and contract approval after the hearing.

Ending: The county will schedule the contract for execution only after the ordinance is adopted and any public‑hearing conditions are satisfied.","Madison County supervisors authorized advertising a public hearing on June 10 for a draft ordinance to permit civil fines collected by automated school‑zone speed enforcement; staff said the draft contract with vendor Blue Line incorporates board counsel’s changes and the statute caps civil fines at $100.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058530,"Madison County presents FY26 budget that uses fund balance and a proposed 2¢ real‑estate tax increase",945,4983000,5928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40&start=4983&end=5928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40/thumbnail_4983000.jpg","/articles/6058530/Madison-County/Virginia/Madison-County-presents-FY26-budget-that-uses-fund-balance-and-a-proposed-2-realestate-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058530-81786cc9f99428aae5f4fbc0b1cbf5b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700599&Signature=SgpcuG2hhUg0NdQXX5g8TVTsv~-ILQhEaRx5a-QtUrkvCmaoBiVqx~6S7tnXg1PLGAWQJ5rC2t9yzwoVFKGIRTs4~I4qMUe0hk9lXTHqzkORLn1Yhi7jBB0~dZ~tqmVAP7jjk4VnW5hR2nWE0fBQjcUPuZymE7ZRWW1Mp1Tzv3SiDim~Zd7AOXypr~ccFMFLQHqxPY5apyMzNIdLZsjgYPEvKMDPYBgY6HppLMpkSIPfcTROeEQF51QTjCzZjwZS5LR9Es5ARwbeZly7coztBvjq8wI9bwcjfQ4zd~QyBPNE02N42KmOhbro0VFAiCGojVOMV89W~gvNWELRRKiR2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the Madison County Board of Supervisors, describing expenditure increases driven by school funding needs, radio system maintenance, personnel costs and rising vendor fees.

County Finance staff said the budget “increased by $2,058,553 which was 5.8% from FY25” and outlined the primary drivers: an additional local contribution requested by the schools after changes to federal and state funding; annual maintenance and rental costs for a new public radio system; and salary and fringe increases including a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for county personnel and higher health‑insurance costs. Public works and transfer‑station disposal charges also rose because vendors passed through higher disposal and energy surcharges.

How the budget balances: To offset higher costs, staff proposed a 2¢ increase in the equalized real‑estate tax rate, which the presentation estimated would raise about $560,000, and a draw of $1,438,600 from unassigned fund balance (split between capital‑related uses and operating balance). Staff also described planned capital spending of approximately $4.6 million in FY26, funded through a combination of grants, carryover and a proposed new debt issuance of up to $4 million; if debt is issued, related debt service would be incorporated into FY26 and later budgets.

Board process and timing: County administrators said tonight’s presentation was the required public hearing; adoption cannot occur until after a seven‑day notice period and staff said adoption is tentatively scheduled for the board’s next business meeting. The county emphasized its financial‑policy metrics show the county meeting its reserve and fund‑balance targets under the proposed plan, and staff said they trimmed about $372,000 from initial department requests to avoid additional cuts to core services.

Public context: Supervisors and staff discussed the need to invest in public utilities and economic‑development infrastructure to support business growth and possible future demand. Supervisors asked staff to make budget materials prominent on the county website and to prepare follow‑up briefings for the public.

Ending: Staff will post detailed budget documents online, accept public comment under the statutory hearing schedule, and return to the board for adoption after the required notice period.","County staff presented a FY26 spending plan that increases county expenditures by about $2.06 million (5.8%), proposes a 2‑cent real‑estate tax increase to raise roughly $560,000 and uses about $1.4 million of fund balance to balance operations and capital; adoption is scheduled after a 7‑day waiting period.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058534,"Madison supervisors move Gibson Hollow Lane to top of six‑year plan, reallocate $30,000 for immediate apron repair",915,3725000,4640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40&start=3725&end=4640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297080-25d0e33d1f357172d899d960434a7b40/thumbnail_3725000.jpg","/articles/6058534/Madison-County/Virginia/Madison-supervisors-move-Gibson-Hollow-Lane-to-top-of-sixyear-plan-reallocate-30000-for-immediate-apron-repair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058534-ff87494226b9d30f55f80ae2c7bc77e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700599&Signature=a-tiKn0aWSUQS~i2dvjQIAwyUqVfhmtzmkpqFHRgH3~8YhNAROYr7fZNPsouTrJf9QZP9E2Rhpl8XqkezI08WwWK0i2gsPHw7qIbj5LApIEhqR5BmEHQUzyJxCsznSb7Mc4NtFyuCAKIgafatHZxSrykPY-5PGo-ZUH-3OLB5uHoWRfLwjx9qd-ksV16TQCb65FRUQT~XkPyPryos~sYXHq4ivSqbqTDLcTF3bAlrEbq7QCxMp36ZDfKsIM8M9wV2GM1wp7DAskqKb1h6zw5qWdhwJHJA~83Nkz8LkEc2w~rUa4NdNdIZVK-5H3HHK6Hv-IugqZresyBTXXffy3gYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the secondary six‑year road improvement plan to prioritize an immediate repair at the entrance to Gibson Hollow Lane that county staff and a business owner said is damaging tractor‑trailers and consumer vehicles.

Supervisor (proposer) asked the board to move $30,000 from the Walker’s Mill Lane line item to Gibson Hollow Lane as a short‑term fix to the entrance used by DuCard Vineyards, citing repeated vehicle scraping and gravel erosion; the change was presented as a stopgap while staff pursues a longer‑term reconstruction that would require additional design and funding.

Why it matters: The reallocation is intended to support a local business that uses tractor‑trailers for bottling and to reduce repeated damage and public‑safety concerns at a roadway entrance. Board members and VDOT staff warned that a temporary build‑up of the entrance could exacerbate grade and tie‑in issues, and that a longer tie‑in could be required to fully resolve the slope and drainage problems.

What the board decided: With VDOT’s resident engineer, Carrie Shepherd, present to explain constraints, the board agreed to place Gibson Hollow Lane at the top of the secondary six‑year plan (above Walker’s Mill Lane) and to shift $30,000 from Walker’s Mill Lane to the Gibson Hollow entrance repair. County staff told the board the funds would be available July 1 and that, if approved, the short‑term work could occur later in the summer.

Details and caveats: Shepherd told the board the $30,000 estimate came from a county paving contractor and warned the temporary measure might worsen some drop‑off grades unless the tie‑in is extended farther back. The board discussed the possibility of reshuffling other FY26 projects if the reallocation pushes other roads later in the schedule; staff said the plan can be adjusted and that shifting funds may delay lower‑priority projects such as Mount Zion by a year.

Public comment and formal action: A Gibson Hollow Lane property owner and a representative of DuCard Vineyards spoke in support of maintaining the six‑year plan while also approving the Gibson Hollow amendment. The board then approved Resolution 2020‑59 adopting the secondary six‑year plan “as amended.”

Ending: Staff said they would begin the procurement and scheduling steps after the fiscal year begins and that the work could be done as soon as late summer pending contractor availability and weather.

","The Board of Supervisors agreed to place Gibson Hollow Lane at the top of the county's secondary six‑year road plan and to reallocate roughly $30,000 from a Walker’s Mill Lane allocation to fix the apron/entrance serving DuCard Vineyards; the board approved the six‑year plan resolution as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rappahannock Electric outlines plan to separate large data‑center loads from member rates

Supervisors told to update local subdivision and site‑plan ordinances after state law shifts reviews to designated official

Board sets June 10 public hearing on school‑zone speed camera ordinance and draft contract with vendor

Madison County presents FY26 budget that uses fund balance and a proposed 2¢ real‑estate tax increase

Madison supervisors move Gibson Hollow Lane to top of six‑year plan, reallocate $30,000 for immediate apron repair