At the latest working session of the Transportation & Land Use Committee (TLUC), I watched as the Committee ignored staff motions intended to address residents’ long-standing concerns and instead, shifted focus towards appeasing event venues.
Our Region
PEC focuses on nine counties and one city in the northern Piedmont of Virginia: Albemarle, Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock.
We also team with local organizations to promote thriving communities and healthy natural resources in a much larger region, including the Shenandoah Valley, the central Piedmont, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Corridor. In addition, we are proud to serve as fiscal sponsor of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an organization that focuses on land use and policy in the greater Washington D.C. area.
Albemarle’s Budget Should Reflect its Promises
It’s budget season in Albemarle County. And you, residents of Albemarle County, have the ability to weigh in on what should be included in next year’s budget.
Letter to the General Assembly: Data Centers Need to Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes
PEC sent a letter to members of the General Assembly about our support of efforts to eliminate or substantially limit the sales tax credit on data center equipment.
Sixth Annual Active Mobility Summit
Thanks to everyone who made the sixth annual Active Mobility Summit a success!
Check back soon for more photos, videos and a full recap!
Culpeper Update: More Power Infrastructure Headed Our Way
As this year’s legislative session winds down, I want to take the opportunity to let you know about a few important developments in Culpeper County and encourage you to attend/weigh in and keep on the lookout for more to come.
Update: Rappahannock County Planning Commission Recommends Adoption of New Regulations for Electrical Substations
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Rappahannock County Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposed update of the county code of ordinances to require a special exception for new or expanded electrical substations.
Data Centers in the Town of Orange? Protecting Our Small-Town Character
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is working closely with residents and town officials to ensure that future development complements, not destroys, the unique character of Orange.
An Electric Super-Highway Through the Piedmont
Joining the list of new energy and infrastructure proposals across the state to serve sky-rocketing data center demand is a proposal to build the largest transmission line ever seen in Dominion Energy’s territory. Dubbed “Joshua Falls-Yeat,” the 115-mile, 765 kilovolt transmission line would cross as many as nine counties in central Virginia.
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.
Tenaska Developer Continues to Push for Power Plant
Considering the known health and environmental impacts to the surrounding community (detailed below), we urge community members and the Planning Commission to vote no on granting the Special Use Permit and reject the Tenaska gas plant.