Flock to Replace Yorktown Camera "At No Cost"; McClellan Comments on Proposed Dominion-NextEra Merger
Flock will pay to replace a missing camera, and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04) comments on a major merger.
Yorktown Neighborhood to be Re-Flocked
A couple weeks ago, I reported on the Flock automated license plate reader that was presumably cut down at the entrance to my York County neighborhood. To learn more, I sent a FOIA request to York-Poquoson Sheriff Ron Montgomery on August 9, 2026.
I specifically requested “all records concerning the removal of this device, including any communications or other records regarding the cost of the unit and potential replacement costs.”
This morning, Sheriff Montgomery responded to my FOIA request, noting paradoxically that Flock will replace the camera "at no cost” but that the annual "lease fee” is $2,500:
The camera was vandalized on July 24th. It was damaged beyond repair, and the pole was removed from the site. The camera is being replaced by Flock at no cost to the county. The annual lease fee for the camera is 2,500.00 dollars. If you have additional questions, please let me know. Have a great day.
According to the July 31, 2026 Williamsburg Independent article "Flock cameras detect a million vehicles across Williamsburg area in 30 days”:
York County reported deploying 42 cameras, the most of any jurisdiction, and also recorded the highest number of unique vehicle detections, at 547,852 over a 30-day reporting period. Williamsburg reported 32 cameras and 257,146 vehicles detected during that time, while James City County reported 21 cameras and 248,682 vehicles detected during the period. William & Mary does not disclose its camera count on their transparency site, but 27,125 vehicles were identified by their network.
If we do the rough math using the Sheriff’s “lease fee” figure and the reporting from the Williamsburg Independent, we’ve crossed the six-figure threshold in annual lease fees to Flock to cover this sliver of York County surveillance.
I’ll leave it to the most devoted readers to count the ways in which the Sheriff’s response doesn’t comply with FOIA, and I’ll be sure to report back if I can’t achieve compliance.
Rep. Jennifer McClellan "Monitoring the Merger Proceedings”
As the State Corporation Commission moves at breakneck speed to review the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy, elected officials are finally speaking out. Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced she plans to "formally intervene” in the SCC proceedings, though it’s still unclear what that will mean. Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi has launched a listening tour on the merger that’s sure to be filled with skepticism. When it comes to the congressional delegation, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA10) and Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA07) both oppose the proposed merger.
As Michael Pope reported yesterday:
Congressman Eugene Vindman is a Democrat from Woodbridge who is saying thanks but no thanks to the Florida company that’s trying to buy Dominion Energy. He says he’s looked at the numbers, and he’s concluded that Florida-based NextEra will increase their profits on the backs of his constituents in the 7th Congressional District.
“Monthly energy bills are often one the most expensive, highest expenses, that people pay monthly,” Vindman says. “And this merger would undoubtedly raise rates—at least if you consider what NextEra says about it—for families across the commonwealth. So, I think it’s a bad deal, and I’m against it.”
Two days ago, Rep. Subramanyam told me by email:
I oppose the proposed merger between Dominion and NextEra. We need to focus on protecting consumers and keeping utility costs down rather than allowing further consolidation.
Nico Portuondo reported back in May for E&E News, as it pertains to U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D):
Lawmakers from Virginia, who have been grappling with the impact of data-center-driven electricity demand on energy prices, said they would be closely monitoring the agreement as it moves through review for any potential effect on ratepayers.
“Any proposed merger must put Virginia energy customers first and ensure ratepayers have access to reliable and affordable energy,” a spokesperson for Sen. Mark Warner said. “Warner will continue to review this transaction as it works its way through the federal and state regulatory process.”
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D) told the same reporter that "the devil is in the details,” while later expressing support for Governor Spanberger’s questioning of the deal. And a spokesperson for Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04) provided a comment from her yesterday by email:
My team and I are monitoring the merger proceedings at the State Corporation Commission and Federal Energy Regulation Commission, and will evaluate the merger based its potential impacts on customers, employees, the environment, and broader consolidation in the energy market. As a state legislator and member of Congress, I have focused on creating energy policies that meet growing energy demand affordably without overburdening communities and the environment. To that end, I am focused on ensuring FERC evaluates the proposed merger under its public interest standard consistent with those principles. At this early stage, I am reviewing the record as it is developed at the SCC and FERG to gather the relevant facts and encourage consumers and advocates to participate in the public comment and hearing process.
I’ve reached out to the remainder of the Virginia congressional delegation and their electoral challengers, and I’ll promptly report back as we learn their takes on this historic merger attempt.