Bri West

Bri West is the director of outreach and communications for The Piedmont Environmental Council.
Existing and Proposed Data Centers – A Web Map

Existing and Proposed Data Centers – A Web Map

How many data centers currently exist in Virginia? How many proposals are in the works? These are very good questions. It’s also extremely difficult to provide an answer, given there is no publicly available dataset or state-level tracking of these facilities. In response, The Piedmont Environmental Council has pulled together an online web map showing existing data center facilities (that we are aware of), along with pending data center proposals we have found on various town and county websites, as well as through various news outlets.

Piedmont Environmental Council sues Orange County for VFOIA violations

Piedmont Environmental Council sues Orange County for VFOIA violations

In the interest of good governance and transparency, The Piedmont Environmental Council filed a lawsuit yesterday against Orange County for improperly denying public access to documents pertaining to a local rezoning application, in violation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The lawsuit comes after Orange County officials were unresponsive to PEC’s petition for a Writ of Mandamus, served on Oct. 26, which gave county officials a number of days to correct their VFOIA deficiencies. The lawsuit reflects PEC’s growing concern about the dramatic loss of public access to information about land use decisions in Orange County and across the Commonwealth.

PEC Responds to Dominion Energy’s Proposed 2023 Integrated Resource Plan

PEC Responds to Dominion Energy’s Proposed 2023 Integrated Resource Plan

In September, The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse submitted public comment on Dominion Energy’s proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as part of case number PUR-2023-00066 before the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Albemarle County recognized for resilience planning effort

Albemarle County recognized for resilience planning effort

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is pleased to congratulate Albemarle County for receiving the Resilient Virginia Community of the Year Honorable Mention in the American Planning Association Virginia Awards Program. The Resilient Virginia Community of the Year category recognizes a community’s commitment to building resilience through responsible planning practice and innovation on real-world solutions to buffer their community from adverse effects stemming from a variety of potential forces.

PEC Presentation on Data Centers & Virginia’s Clean Energy Future

PEC Presentation on Data Centers & Virginia’s Clean Energy Future

On June 10, 2023, The Piedmont Environmental Council hosted our annual meeting in Loudoun County and featured a workshop on data centers and Virginia’s clean energy future. The presentation, given by PEC’s Senior Energy and Climate Policy Analyst Ashish Kapoor and Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse, is available to view and download below.

PEC Brings Home the Platinum

PEC Brings Home the Platinum

We are honored that our work highlighting climate change and impacts in Albemarle County has been recognized by the 17th Annual Hermes Creative Awards. The Hermes Creative Awards, one of the oldest and largest creative competitions in the world, honor creative professionals who are the messengers and creators of the information revolution.