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In This Issue
• Weather
• The Lead
• Together With
• Weekly News Brief
• New Businesses
• Community
• Events & What's On
• Save the Dates
Opening Note
Good morning, Woodbridge —
It's been a busy stretch at Stonebridge. In the past two weeks alone we've watched Lovesac open its doors, Spirit Halloween move into the old Value City Furniture space, and gotten word that both Bebop Korean-Mexican Grill and GameOn bar+arcade are on the way. Four new businesses, three of them landing in the same shopping center — that's not a coincidence, that's a trend, and we'll be keeping an eye on where it goes.
Also in this issue: a look at what a scant public notice isn't telling residents about Microsoft's data center plans in Bristow, everything happening around town this week, and two festivals worth marking on your September calendar.
One more thing: over the next few weeks we're rolling out a refreshed format for this newsletter, designed to be easier to read and navigate. Same local coverage you count on — just a cleaner layout. More on that soon. I would love to hear feedback from you all.
Thanks for reading — and for making this the best part of your Monday morning.
— Marie
Weather
• 🌦️ Mon, Aug 17 — 92°/70°, humid with a shower in the morning giving way to sun
• ☀️ Tue, Aug 18 — 89°/65°, mostly sunny and less humid — the pick of the week
• ☀️ Wed, Aug 19 — 89°/73°, mostly sunny but humid again
• 🌦️ Thu, Aug 20 — 87°/66°, a passing shower or two in the morning, then clouds
• 🌧️ Fri, Aug 21 — 80°/66°, cloudy and cooler with a couple of showers
• ⛅ Sat, Aug 22 — 78°/64°, humid with clouds and sun, a couple of afternoon showers
• 🌧️ Sun, Aug 23 — 79°/65°, a shower in the morning, then mostly cloudy and humid
The Lead
Spanberger Intervenes in Proposed Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy Merger
In a first for a Virginia governor, Spanberger will become a party to the State Corporation Commission case reviewing the $67 billion deal.
By Domenic Clementi
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will become the first Virginia governor to formally intervene in a case before the State Corporation Commission (SCC), filing for party status in the review of the proposed $67 billion merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. Intervening will make the state a party to the case, allowing it to participate directly in the SCC review and preserving its ability to appeal should it disagree with the commission's decision.
Inside the Proposed Merger
The proposed all-stock merger between Dominion Energy, a Virginia-based company, and NextEra Energy, whose headquarters are in Florida, would create what the companies describe as the world's largest regulated electric utility. The deal was announced in May 2026 and is expected to close in the second half of 2027.
The merger, if approved, would affect a customer base of over 10 million accounts across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. For shareholders, this deal would result in Dominion shareholders receiving 0.8138 shares of NextEra for each share of Dominion. Dominion stated that the merger would result in $2.25 billion in shareholder-funded bill credits for customers in the three states, spread over two years, including $1.78 billion for Virginia customers.
Supporters Point to Scale and Savings
Opinions differ significantly over the benefits that Virginia residents would reap from the merger and over whether Governor Spanberger is justified in intervening. Supporters argue that the merger will lower bills, expand clean energy capacity, and create jobs. NextEra CEO John Ketchum has framed the deal as a transformational opportunity to combine two world-class utilities, citing affordability, scale, and long-term cost savings, while Dominion CEO Bob Blue emphasized 238 years of combined industry experience and the ability to serve millions of customers across four states.
For shareholders, both companies have stressed such positives as an approximate 9% growth target for earnings per share through 2035, an improved set of business fundamentals to show to Wall Street, and the stability of high levels of regulatory capital – the money the new company will be able to set aside to cover the costs of building, maintaining, and operating regulated infrastructure, such as power plants and transmission lines.
Critics Warn of Consolidation and Cost
On the other hand, industry watchers and Virginia legislators have weighed in with their concerns. Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971, suggested Spanberger's intervention was needed.
“What the governor is saying is that we need to make sure that the public and the public interest is fully represented before the commission,” Slocum said.
Other critics have raised concerns about consolidation of power, potential higher costs, and what out-of-state ownership would mean for Virginia's largest regulated utility. Some Democratic and Republican state lawmakers have urged the governor to call a special session of the Virginia General Assembly in order to give the SCC more time to examine and debate the proposed merger.
What Spanberger Has Said
Spanberger has been cool to the idea of a special session, saying she believes the SCC has the staffing and expertise to complete its review within six months. Her most recent statements make clear her concern about energy affordability and about whether the combined company would be able to meet Virginia's growing energy needs.
“As this process is going through SCC review, I believe it's extraordinarily important to be a party to the case, to intervene in this case so I can have a voice on behalf of Virginians,” she said.
What Happens Next
The SCC has six months to review the application and may approve it, reject it, or impose conditions. Public witness hearings are scheduled for Nov. 5, 9, and 10, 2026, with an evidentiary hearing set to begin Nov. 17. Dominion and NextEra Energy have additional applications pending review with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, South Carolina Public Service Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Read the full story: woodbridgegazette.com
Together With
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Weekly News Brief
Microsoft Data Center DEQ Notice Draws Transparency Concerns
A public comment period on the environmental impact review for Microsoft's planned data center campus at 13490 University Blvd. in Bristow closed Aug. 7, and some residents say the notice gave too little detail on the project's real scope. The notice describes two one-story buildings, an electrical substation, a water storage facility and detention ponds — but county records show an earlier rezoning application for the same site sought heights up to 105 feet. County officials say that older application is inactive and doesn't reflect the current owner's plans, and note data centers often have taller floor-to-ceiling heights than typical one-story buildings. The 123-acre site is a former Superfund property where the Atlantic Research Corporation ran a rocket and missile testing facility for the Department of Defense until 2005; Microsoft bought the land in 2024 for more than $465 million. Microsoft is separately seeking a Clean Water Act permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permanently affect roughly 955 linear feet of stream channel and about 85,000 square feet of wetlands on the property. Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy, whose district includes the site, said he plans to look into the matter further.
Source: InsideNoVa
VRE will run a one-day Sunday service on Aug. 23 — an unusual step for a railroad that normally operates weekdays only — as Washington hosts the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the first-ever IndyCar street race on the National Mall. Northbound trains run in the morning and southbound trains in the afternoon, timed for riders heading into D.C. and back; the two-day race (Aug. 22–23) is expected to draw about 140,000 visitors daily and trigger significant road closures downtown. Tickets are available at standard VRE fares through the VRE Mobile app or station ticket machines; the full timetable is posted at vre.org/schedule. The special run also doubles as a test of demand for possible future weekend service.
VDOT is continuing single right-lane closures on the northbound I-395 general purpose lanes bridge over the ramp to the 395 Express Lanes, near Mile Marker 2 between Edsall Road and Duke Street, for bridge rehabilitation work. The remaining schedule is daytime, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Aug. 17–20. Drivers can check current conditions at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or the 511Virginia app.
Prince William County Public Schools students head back to class Monday, Aug. 24 — one week after this issue lands. The School Board approved the calendar in a 5-2 vote last December. Key dates: first quarter ends Oct. 30; Thanksgiving break runs Nov. 25–27; winter break spans Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, with students returning Jan. 4; spring break falls March 22–26. The last day of school is June 17, 2027.
Virginia Eases Rules on Data Centers' Backup Diesel Generators
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has adopted new guidance allowing data centers to run older, higher-emission “Tier II” backup diesel generators during planned power outages with less than 15 days' notice — not just unforeseen emergencies, as previously required. The change took effect Jan. 3 despite roughly 400 public comments opposing it and fewer than 10 in support. Virginia has about 8,000 Tier II generators permitted for data center use, roughly half of them in Northern Virginia; one Prince William County data center alone has about 300. State lawmakers have separately pushed legislation requiring cleaner Tier IV generators for new data center permits starting in July 2026.
The National Park Service announced Aug. 13 that it will transfer the remains of a young Union soldier, discovered at Manassas National Battlefield Park in March 2024, to Arlington National Cemetery for burial. Archaeologists uncovered the nearly complete remains at the site of a Civil War field hospital linked to the Second Battle of Manassas, fought in August 1862; the soldier is believed to have been 16 to 19 years old. A rubber pocket comb was found with the remains, along with four surgically amputated limbs from other wounded soldiers treated at the site. Supporting documentation is open for public review through the National Park Service's Planning, Environment and Public Comment website through Sept. 4.
New Businesses
Lovesac Now Open at Stonebridge in Woodbridge, VA — Open now at 15000 Potomac Town Pl, Unit 120, in a 1,524-square-foot showroom bringing modular Sactionals, Sacs and StealthTech sound systems to Stonebridge.
Spirit Halloween Opens in Woodbridge, With Manassas Mall Next — Open now at 2500 Prince William Parkway, in the former Value City Furniture. Manassas Mall and an Alexandria location follow later this month.
Bebop Korean-Mexican Grill — Coming soon to Stonebridge, 15101 Potomac Town Pl Ste 140. No opening date announced yet.
GameOn bar+arcade — Coming Q4 2026 to Stonebridge. The 90s-inspired arcade bar, ranked among the Top 21 Best Arcades in the U.S., is making its first move into Virginia after locations in Annapolis, Baltimore, and DC.
Community
During Virginia's Tax-Free Weekend, IKEA Woodbridge hosted its fifth annual “Stuff the Cruiser” school supply drive in partnership with the Prince William County Community Foundation, collecting new backpacks and school supplies for local students. Last year's drive provided more than 6,500 backpacks to children in the community. IKEA has served the Woodbridge area for 40 years.
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Events & What's On
Mon, Aug 17
• Museum Family Monday: Farm Day — Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 10–11am
• Mahjong 102 — Great Mane Brewery, Haymarket, 6:30–8:30pm
• LEGO Club — Independent Hill Library, 4:00–5:15pm, ages 6+
Tue, Aug 18
• Trivia Night — Tun Tavern, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Triangle, 6–9pm
• Books on Tap — Sip & Read — Ornery Brewery, 6–7pm
• Summer LEGO Hour — Lake Ridge Library, 10–11am
• LEGO Club — Nokesville Library, 4:30–5:00pm
• Reading to Dogs — Dumfries Library, 4:30–5:30pm, grades K–5
Wed, Aug 19
• Trivia Night — 2 Silos Brewing, Manassas
• Wednesday Night Bingo — Madigan's Waterfront, Occoquan
• Books on Tap — Sip & Read — Sinistral Brewing Co., Manassas, 7–8pm
Thu, Aug 20
• Summer Concert Series — National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle
• Bart Harris — NOVA LIVE, Manassas, 5–9pm
Fri, Aug 21
• Fridays at 5 Free Concert Series — Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza (PWC Parks & Rec)
• Trivia Night in the Park — River Mill Park, Occoquan (Visit Occoquan)
• Prince William Model Railroad Traveling Train Show — Potomac Library, 10am–4:30pm
• Ramona Martinez & The Mashup — NOVA LIVE, Manassas
Sat, Aug 22
• 164th Anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Run — Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 11am–3pm
• Rippon Lodge Bug and Bird Day — Woodbridge, all day
• HBCU Spades Tournament & Back-to-School Supply Giveaway — Dumfries, 5–9pm
• From Tip to Toe: A Wine Tour of Italy — Smoketown Station, Woodbridge
• Awesome Ray Ray — L&B's Pizzeria, Dale City (Aug 22–23)
• LEGO Club — Dumfries Library, 10am–noon, ages 6–12 (accompanied)
• Prince William Model Railroad Traveling Train Show — Potomac Library, 10am–3pm
• Nightcap Acoustic & Pebble to Pearl — NOVA LIVE, Manassas
Still Running
• “Beyond the Frame” art exhibit (Dion Pollard & Levi Robinson) — ARTfactory, Manassas, through Sept 19
Book Clubs Around PWC
Book clubs meet nearly every night this week across PWC library branches — mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction, even a cookbook club. Check the full calendar for times. Two worth calling out on their own: Books on Tap pairs book club with local breweries, running at Ornery Brewery (Tue) and Sinistral Brewing (Wed).
Full list and details in our farmers market guide.
• Thu, Aug 20: Long Family Farmers Market at Sentara (2–7pm, Woodbridge) · Prince William Farmers Market (3–7pm, Woodbridge) · Historic Manassas, Harris Pavilion (8am–1pm)
• Sat, Aug 22: Historic Manassas, Prince William St. lot (8am–1pm) · Manassas Park (9am–1pm) · Gainesville Central at Virginia Gateway (9am–1:30pm) · Dumfries (9am–2pm, through Sept 21)
Save the Dates
Sept 19–20 — Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair — 9am–5pm both days, $30 adults / $16 youth 6–11 / free under 6. Our “worth the drive” pick.
Sept 26–27 — Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show — Sat–Sun, 10am–5pm, free admission, 300+ artisans. New for 2026: the Art Park and Imagination Alley.
Thanks for Reading
As always, thank you for starting your Monday with us,
Marie Clementi — Editor · The Woodbridge Gazette
Domenic Clementi — Military & Veterans Editor · The Woodbridge Gazette
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