The General Assembly failed to pass meaningful data center reform, despite the introduction of bi-partisan bills to rein in data center impacts and protect Virginia ratepayers from increased energy costs. Now, all eyes are on the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), a state agency that has regulatory jurisdiction over our utilities.
Cindy Sabato
The 2025 General Assembly Again Fails to Take Meaningful Action on the Accelerating Impact of Data Centers on Virginians
The General Assembly chose to avoid addressing the mounting financial and environmental risks and costs to all Virginians. It’s not clear why. But what is clear is that Dominion Energy and the five largest and richest companies in the world have opposed data center reform and they have immense resources to support their position.
Mobility Summit galvanizes community for better walking, biking and outdoor access; unofficially launches Three Notched Trail plan
Area residents, organizations and leaders who want better places to walk, bike and run are coming together at the Fifth Annual Charlottesville/Albemarle Active Mobility Summit Thursday, Mar. 6 (5:30–8 p.m.) and Friday, Mar. 7 (9 a.m.–12 p.m. ) at The Wool Factory.
General Assembly has opportunity to create a Smarter Digital Future for Virginia
Several pieces of legislation have been introduced to reform data center development and protect Virginia ratepayers.
Commission Study Confirms that Energy Demand is Out of Control, Threatening The Community with Higher Costs and Impacts Across the State and Beyond
We applaud the commission’s work over the past year to assess the scope of economic, energy, and environmental impacts due to explosive data center growth. But their analysis of the impact on communities, the environment and the historic and cultural resources is insufficient, and their recommendations don’t match the severity of the impact.
PEC Announces Annual Photo Contest Winners for 2024
The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the winners of its 2024 Annual Photo Contest.
The Virginia SCC has forced Transparency Out of Dominion Energy
The State Corporation Commission required Dominion to supplement its Oct. 15, 2024, Integrated Resource Plan with modeling plans that meet the requirements of the Virginia Clean Economy Act and show scenarios without data center load. Dominion Energy has begrudgingly responded and the results are alarming, yet unsurprising.
Community invited to judge PEC annual photo contest finalists
Finalists in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 15th Annual Photo Contest were announced on Monday, Oct. 28. Community members are now invited to view the images and vote for their favorites through Sunday, Nov. 17. To view the images and vote, visit pecva.org/photovote.
Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative offers financial incentives for delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling
Now through Nov 15, the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI) is accepting applications from producers in 16 counties across the northern Virginia Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Shenandoah Valley, who are interested in financial incentives for protecting nesting grassland birds during the 2025 haying season.
The Next Chapter for Aldie Assemblage
The Piedmont Environmental Council this summer became the proud new owner of six acres in the Village of Aldie, known as the Aldie Assemblage.