Virginia has one last chance this year to pump the brakes on an unprecedented data center expansion that is overwhelming the state’s electric grid — and its communities.
Julie Bolthouse
Julie Bolthouse is The Piedmont Environmental Council's land use field representative for Fauquier County.
The General Assembly Must Prioritize People Over Data Centers
PEC is calling on legislators to go further and use the budget to pause the sales tax exemption and pause approvals of new data center projects so Virginia can actually plan for the impacts of the 51GW’s of data center demand that’s already been approved.
New Study Highlights Public Health Impacts of Gas Turbine-Powered Data Centers
As data centers requiring more and more power continue to flood our region, we are seeing a concerning new trend: data center proposals that include onsite natural gas turbines to use as their main power source, as a means of bypassing the long wait to be connected to the electrical grid.
In Major Win, Massive ‘Digital Gateway’ Data Center Project Has Been Halted
On March 31, the Virginia Court of Appeals issued a unanimous ruling that effectively halts the controversial “Digital Gateway” project proposed in Prince William County, barring an appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court.
It’s Time to End Data Centers’ Massive Tax Break
Take Action: Tell your Legislators and the Governor to End the Data Center Tax Subsidy by April 23, 2026.
Help Get Data Center Reform Legislation Over the Finish Line!
Take Action: SB619 and SB339 passed the Senate, and we expect the House will start voting on these bills as early as this Tuesday, Feb. 24.
A Renewed Call to Pass Data Center Reform Legislation
There are still many impactful data center bills being decided on soon and we need your help supporting them.
HB155/SB619 Could Create Real Data Center Reform
We believe that passing HB155/SB619 is the single most important step Virginia can take this year to ensure a smarter digital future. Please use our advocacy page to send a letter to your state legislators today.
Golden to Mars Transmission Line Hearing Delayed, Comment Period Extended After Nearly 600 Sign Up to Testify
In September, we encouraged you to submit comments and sign up to testify at the SCC hearings in Loudoun County to voice your concerns and call for undergrounding the Golden to Mars line, and you rose to the challenge! Over 1,000 comments and nearly 600 witnesses signed up to testify.
Additional Transmission Lines Proposed to Serve Data Centers
There is another opportunity right now to share your input on an important issue impacting our region. We hope you will take a few minutes before Monday, Dec. 8 to voice your concerns and opinions on proposals for yet more massive transmission lines to serve data centers.