The state’s Department of Environmental Quality will consider allowing data centers in Prince William, Fairfax, and Loudoun County (the world’s epicenter for data centers) to use generators to feed the power-hungry server farms.

The meeting will take place in DEQ’s Northern Virginia office, 13901 Crown Court, in Woodbridge (near BJs Wholesale Club) at 11 a.m.

From the public notice:

Data center operation relies on the use of large amounts of electricity from the grid. DEQ is concerned that the Counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William is an area in which there may not be a sufficient amount of electricity for data centers due to severe, localized constraints in electricity transmission.

A transmission constraint issue exists in the area which may affect the ability to provide enough electricity to data centers through 2025. In particular, the period between March and July 2023 has been identified as a time of potentially acute stress on the transmission capacity of the grid.

In the lead-up to the November 2022 approval of the Prince William Digital Gateway — more than 800 acres next to Manassas National Battlefield Park now earmarked for data center development — residents and public officials were baffled after asking if the county had enough electricity to supply the server farms.

We’ve written more about this story earlier this month. Read it here.

On Wednesday, February 22, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the 2022 Governor’s Fire Service Awards recipients as part of the annual Virginia Fire Chiefs Association Expo and Symposium in Virginia Beach.

“I am proud to honor these remarkable fire service professionals,” said Governor Youngkin. “We celebrate and thank these first responders and support staff for their extraordinary contributions to the Commonwealth.” Among those honored were members of the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System.

Outstanding Fire Department Response

On January 3, 2022, Prince William County was hit with a major snowstorm of approximately 12 inches of snow with temperatures in the upper teens. The storm caused 48 miles of Interstate 95 north to be shut down, stranding many motorists for over 18 hours.

The Prince William County Fire and Rescue System (PWCFRS) comprises the Department of Fire and Rescue, the Dumfries-Triangle Volunteer Fire Department, and the Occoquan-Lorton- Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department, responded to Interstate 95 and established an ad-hoc rescue and public service effort to assist the stranded motorists.

Establishing incident command, the combined efforts of the members of the PWCFRS provided food, water, and medical attention to the citizens. Using station assets, they cleared exit ramps from the highway to allow motorists to exit the Interstate. Compiling supplies from station stocks, they distributed support in food and water, and when the system’s logistics section responded, they added blankets and other aid.

“We are thrilled to receive this award for the second year in a row,” said OWL VFD Chief Wayne Haight. “It is a testament to the hard work, planning, forethought, and dedication of our volunteers committed to serving the community with the highest professionalism and care.”

Through the incident command process, they dispatched assets from their task force to respond to and treat several medical emergencies. They answered the call without hesitation in the finest tradition of the Fire, Rescue, and EMS service.

Virginia Fire Chiefs Foundation Health & Safety Award

The Prince William County Fire and Rescue System was also recognized by the Virginia Fire Chiefs Foundation for the Best Practices in Fire Service Health and Safety at the Governor’s Fire Service Awards Ceremony.

PWCFRS is a combined system consisting of career and volunteer members. The career staff switched to a 56-hour work week three years ago. During this time, the department has seen an increase in body fat at annual physicals. To counter this increase, the Health and Safety Office developed a physical fitness program that includes a quarterly assessment. The program’s goal is to bring awareness to individuals about their physical abilities, body weight, and resources available to provide improvement.

Phase II of the program will focus on the reimplementation of the Work Performance Evaluation and increase the Peer Fitness Trainer’s role in the department. Phase III will focus on outreach to volunteer organizations with wellness and fitness resources.

The ramp from Interstate 66 west to Route 28 South will be closed Friday night, Feb. 24, 2023, from midnight to 4 a.m., for overhead bridge work.

Traffic will be detoured farther west to exit Route 29 (Lee Highway) Centreville, stay to the left and turn left at the traffic signal onto Route 29 North, and then follow signs to Route 28 South.

The closure and work are part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project to add toll lanes on I-66 between Haymarket at I-495..

The National Museum of the Marine Corps will commemorate the World War II battle of Iwo Jima with an exhibit of both flags that were raised on Mount Suribachi. Visitors can see both flags in the Museum’s World War II Gallery from now until March 30, 2023.

The WWII battle of Iwo Jima lasted from February 19 to March 26, 1945, and was a key battle in American and Marine Corps history. On February 23, 1945, U.S. Marines took control of Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island, and raised a small flag on the peak. Later that day, different troops raised a larger flag while others respectfully lowered the original.

Several combat photographers captured images of this triumphant moment, but Joe Rosenthal’s snapshot of the men struggling against a strong wind to raise the second flag on Mount Suribachi immediately became an enduring symbol of American resolve.

Each year during the anniversary of the battle, NMMC curators have the honor of exhibiting the first flag raised near the second flag, which is always on exhibit. Volunteers and staff will share their insights on the two flags and highlight the history of their acquisition into the Museum’s permanent collection.

All events are free and open to the public. Admission and parking are free.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, known for its cheesesteaks and turkey subs  opened a new location in North Stafford at 44 Mine Road.

The new shop will also provide over 10 new jobs to the Stafford community.

The new location is owned by the local friends and entrepreneurs, Ankit Patel, Atul Patel, Mahesh Pandya, Arvind Patel and Krunal Patel. All five friends have been interested in the restaurant industry, and were excited at the chance to bring three Capriotti’s to an untapped market.

“We were looking for our next endeavor as partners and we wanted to bring something to the community that would be unique and that we knew they would enjoy,” said Patel. “I immediately went to Capriotti’s, and once we saw there weren’t many in the area it made sense to bring something we were passionate about to Stafford.”

Stafford Capriotti’s customers may order food and catering online through the restaurant’s mobile app. In addition to the location at 44 Mine Road, Capriotti’s will open two additional locations in Stafford. The owners declined to say where the new restaurants would be located.

Capriotti’s is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily. For additional information, visit capriottis.com or call at 540-318-6004.

A fire displaced one person from a home in Prince William County.

At 4:47 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, fire and rescue crews units responded to the 9000 block of Keyser Road near Independent Hill for a report of a house fire.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire and smoke conditions. The home sustained extensive damage as the result. No injuries were reported.

The Building Official posted the property unsafe to occupy, displacing one adult. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined an electrical wiring failure ignited the fire.

The Fire Marshal’s Office highly recommends electrical extension cords not be used for permanent purposes or for multiple appliances. In addition, wiring should never be exposed to or come in contact with combustible materials.

Only use UL approved extension cords and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.