The dust has finally settled in Richmond, and those of us who love the Piedmont have a lot to celebrate. With the 2026 General Assembly session (mostly) behind us, it’s clear that the collective voice of the Piedmont is being heard.
Cindy Sabato
Budget Decisions Don’t Address Core Data Center Issues
Despite poll after poll showing bipartisan statewide opposition to uncontrolled data center growth and accumulating evidence of direct and indirect impacts on air, water, noise, property rights and utility rates, the General Assembly has once again kicked the can down the road and put data centers ahead of the people of Virginia.
Press Release: Virginia is No Longer Deciding What’s Best for Virginia: The NextEra/Dominion Deal is Another Example of Data Centers Determining Our Future
The announced acquisition of Dominion Energy by NextEra is the latest — and largest — example of the expansion of monopoly control over basic utility services and is a threat to Virginians’ right to self determination.
Piedmont Environmental Council Response to Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Report
he Piedmont Environmental Council recently commissioned a study, conducted by EmPower Analytics Group, evaluating the public health and economic impacts of Virginia’s first data center running on onsite power generation.
Piedmont Environmental Council Statement on the Potomac River Being Named the Most Threatened River in America
This week, American Rivers released its 2026 list of most endangered rivers, and the Potomac River leads the list, due in large part to uncontrolled data center growth throughout the watershed.
PEC statement on Prince William Digital Gateway latest legal win
The recent ruling by the Virginia Court of Appeals against the Prince William Digital Gateway, in favor of the citizen-backed lawsuits attempting to block it, is another example of the growing grassroots power of Virginians pushing back against uncontrolled data center development.
The Piedmont Environmental Council to Host Annual Bluebell Walk
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) will hold its 23rd Annual Bluebell Walk Sunday, March 29 from 1-3 p.m. along the banks of the Cedar Run at Bonny Brook Farm in Catlett, Virginia.
Press Release: New Study Finds On-Site Power at Virginia Data Center Could Result in $53 Million–$99 Million in Annual Health Damages
A new independent analysis finds that emissions from the Vantage Data Center’s permitted on-site power system in Loudoun County could result in $53 million–$99 million per year in health-related damages, driven primarily by premature mortality as well as respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Data Center Reform is at the Finish Line: Will the General Assembly Get it Done?
Two important data center reform bills, SB619 and SB339 survived crossover – bringing the General Assembly that much closer to passing real data center reform legislation.
Piedmont Environmental Council remembers Robert Duvall’s advocacy for conservation in the the Virginia Piedmont
“Over the years, Mr. Duvall has been outspoken in his support of efforts to protect and conserve the natural resources and beauty of Fauquier County and the broader region.