Environment stories in Richmond

Fifty years after their planting, the trees on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall have surpassed growth expectations. This success highlights the resilience of urban greenery in city environments.

Bipartisan Virginia senators are urging Governor Spanberger to call a special session to address alarming findings about the state's groundwater supply. A recent report indicates serious strain on the Coastal Plain Aquifer System, raising concerns about water availability and quality.

Chesterfield residents can now access updates on the closure and cleanup of the bankrupt Shoosmith landfill through a new webpage. The cleanup efforts are expected to cost millions and take up to 30 years.

Richmond has halted operations of a wastewater processing company accused of illegally accepting landfill leachate. This action affects the bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill's leachate processor.

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Telescope is ready for launch in late August, aiming to explore dark matter and discover new exoplanets. This next-generation observatory will provide unprecedented views of the universe, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of astrophysics.

France is experiencing its worst wildfire disaster since World War II, with massive evacuations and extensive damage reported. Meanwhile, wildfires in Greece have claimed the lives of two firefighters, and Spain has lifted evacuation orders for thousands as conditions improve.

July's full moon, known as the buck moon, will peak on Wednesday at 10:36 a.m. ET. Observers in the Northeast and Upper Midwest may see a reddish hue due to smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting the atmosphere.

The Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee has announced the winners of its annual awards recognizing environmentally friendly properties. The awards celebrate residential and business properties that excel in landscaping and sustainability practices.

The Keep Henrico Beautiful initiative has recognized several properties for their outstanding contributions to community beautification in 2026. This annual recognition highlights the importance of maintaining and enhancing the local environment.

Residents of Waynesboro are questioning Northrop Grumman's request for an operations permit that would allow the company to emit over 24 tons of chemicals annually. The community is concerned about the potential environmental impact of these emissions.

Despite experiencing a historic drought, Henrico County is actively monitoring for potential flooding. This proactive approach highlights the county's commitment to managing water resources effectively.

Chesterfield County officials are criticizing the owners of the Shoosmith Landfill, which is facing bankruptcy and environmental issues. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is investigating potential leachate contamination affecting local waterways.

Over 200,000 people have evacuated southwestern France due to wildfires, with the largest blaze in Bordeaux damaging over 240 homes. The fires have generated a rare fire cloud, complicating firefighting efforts as conditions remain unstable.

A recent study in Virginia highlights the need for tighter regulations on water usage by data centers, emphasizing the impact on groundwater resources. The findings call for immediate action to ensure sustainable water management in the face of increasing data center operations.

A new report from the DEQ indicates that groundwater supply east of I-95 in Virginia is expected to decline in the next 5 to 10 years, impacting industrial growth. The findings highlight the urgent need for regulatory changes to manage water resources sustainably.

July marks the peak month for bear encounters in the U.S., driven by food-seeking behavior as bears venture into populated areas. With reports of bears in places like Central Park, experts highlight the impact of human development on wildlife habitats.

A new Virginia study highlights potential declines in groundwater supply due to data center usage and population growth, calling for stricter water regulations. The report, long withheld by the state, emphasizes the need for regulators to have more authority over industrial water withdrawals.

At a recent environmental justice town hall in Henrico, citizens called on the Department of Environmental Quality to consider the cumulative impacts of pollution in their communities. The meeting highlighted growing concerns over environmental health and justice issues in the region.

Chesterfield officials are racing against time as funding for the Shoosmith cleanup is set to expire this fall. The state’s environmental agency has raised concerns about the dwindling resources available for this crucial environmental project.

The Virginia Department of Health and the City of Hopewell have lifted the recreational water advisory for Bailey Bay. This decision comes one week after the advisory was issued due to a sewage main break.

Students in the Richmond area are taking the initiative to collect batteries for recycling, promoting environmental responsibility. This effort highlights the importance of proper battery disposal and its impact on the community.

At a recent town hall in Henrico County, residents urged the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to consider cumulative pollution impacts in their updated environmental justice guidance. Attendees expressed concerns about the lack of advance materials and the need for meaningful community engagement in the permitting process.

Environmental experts presented a plan for the cleanup of Shoosmith Landfill at a Chesterfield Board of Supervisors meeting. The discussion focused on the need for more powerful regulations to ensure effective remediation efforts.

Recent storms in Richmond have highlighted persistent flooding issues at key intersections. A study by Professor Todd Lookingbill and Southside ReLeaf has mapped these flood hotspots, revealing patterns in urban flooding.

Researchers from Harvard University have identified LHS 1140 b, a rocky exoplanet with an atmosphere located in the habitable zone of its star. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the search for potentially life-supporting planets beyond Earth.

In response to increasing energy rates, Richmond is exploring the installation of solar panels on city buildings. This initiative aims to mitigate the financial impact of spiking energy costs on local government operations.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement has extended its deadline regarding the inclusion of Virginia's federally recognized tribes as full partners. This delay raises concerns over expiring funding and the future role of these tribes in the program.

Richmond is planning to install solar panels on city-owned buildings to reduce electricity expenses. This initiative aims to promote sustainable energy use across the city.

America's national parks are grappling with a $24 billion repair backlog affecting roads, trails, and facilities. Delayed repairs raise safety concerns for summer visitors, prompting bipartisan efforts to extend funding for maintenance.