Regional, State and National

PEC joins with partner organizations to promote thriving communities and healthy natural resources in the Shenandoah Valley, the central Piedmont, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor and Northern Virginia counties. This includes work through the Virginia Conservation Network and our Coalition for Smarter Growth.

If you have any questions related to PEC’s regional, state and national policy work, or would like to partner with us, please reach out to John McCarthy at [email protected] or (540) 347-2334 x7043.

A substation being built next to the WO&D Trail. Photo by Hugh Kenny

Op-Ed: Protect Virginians from paying billions for data center infrastructure

Billions of dollars of new power generation and transmission infrastructure is needed to meet data center demand. As of now, all of Virginia’s ratepayers are on the hook to pay for this through their electric …
Report Finds Solar Far Exceeds Value Communicated by Dominion

Report Finds Solar Far Exceeds Value Communicated by Dominion

PEC commissioned Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors to study and calculate the actual value of distributed solar generation in Dominion Energy’s territory …
PFAS-Contaminated Biosolids Proposed in Orange: Voices Needed by Aug. 4

PFAS-Contaminated Biosolids Proposed in Orange: Voices Needed by Aug. 4

America’s largest biosolids land-application company (Synagro) is seeking a permit to spread more PFAS-contaminated biosolids on farmland across Orange County, including fields adjacent to Pamunkey Creek, which already has elevated levels of PFAS contamination.  …
The SCC Must Protect Ratepayers From Big Tech’s Skyrocketing Energy Bill

The SCC Must Protect Ratepayers From Big Tech’s Skyrocketing Energy Bill

Weigh in! The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is hearing the 2025 biennial review of Dominion Energy’s rates, terms, and conditions for generation and transmission infrastructure. This rate case is the first opportunity to address the …
Data Centers: Industry Impacts In Virginia

Data Centers: Industry Impacts In Virginia

Virginia holds the largest global concentration of data centers anywhere in the world. This multibillion-dollar industry requires huge amounts of energy, land, and water, resulting in widespread community impacts. Without swift intervention, data centers in …
Data Center Resources for Communities, Community Leaders & Elected Officials

Data Center Resources for Communities, Community Leaders & Elected Officials

A list of links and resources to better understand data centers and their impacts …
Upcoming Dominion Community Meetings About Proposed Transmission Line

Upcoming Dominion Community Meetings About Proposed Transmission Line

In May, Dominion will hold community meetings on one of its projects — the Morrisville-Wishing Star 500kV and 230kV electric transmission lines through Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties …
A group of people in heavy winter coats stand in front of a charter bus in a dark parking lot, smiling at the camera.

Data Center Reform Campaign Continues

In the pre-dawn hours in a Haymarket parking lot, a few dozen people huddled in record cold temperatures as they made their way to the warm glow of a charter bus. Their destination: Richmond. Their …
Three people walk away from the camera down a wooded trail. A sign in the foreground reads "Sperryville River Walk."

PEC’s Big Year in Conservation

Last year, within The Piedmont Environmental Council’s nine-county region, landowners partnered with conservation organizations like ours to conserve 5,446 acres of lands and forever protect the many public benefits they provide the region …
virginia state capitol

General Assembly Update – Spring 2025

Every day, Piedmont Environmental Council staff engage at the local, state and federal level to shape public policy with an eye toward protecting natural resources and advancing sustainability. These efforts include the annual Virginia General …