PEC stands with citizens to build excellent communities, relieve taxes and traffic, and protect open space in Loudoun. We work to maintain a balance between the towns, the suburbs and the country so residents can enjoy each of them.
Dominion Energy plans to build 8.4 miles of new transmission infrastructure in the Ashburn and Dulles area to carry 500 kV and 230 kV powerlines to Data Center Alley.
The proposed Golden to Mars transmission line (red) is part of a three-segment loop proposed by Dominion to move more power to data centers.
Known as the Golden to Mars line, it is the last segment of a three-part loop to serve Data Center Alley, which connects with the Aspen to Golden line (under litigation) and the Wishing Star to Mars line. It also includes two offshoot 230 kV loops (Lockridge and Sojourner).
In order to have the most impact, it is important to tailor your comments to the SCC’s priorities and objectives, as their decision-making is guided by strict standards. PEC has put together the following talking points to help you craft your comment.
We are so excited for our three volunteer tree plantings this fall! Planting native trees and shrubs along streams, rivers, and ponds – also known as riparian buffers – is a way to help clean water and connect wildlife habitat.
Weigh in! The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is hearing the 2025 biennial review of Dominion Energy’s rates, terms, and conditions for generation and transmission infrastructure. This rate case is the first opportunity to address the electricity rate structure for the largest concentration of data centers in the world.
Not only have the months been warmer in Loudoun, but many issues are heating up, too. We have been tracking them all to understand and share the community impacts along with opportunities to speak up.
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
June 18 meeting canceled – Loudoun County staff and Supervisors have been working hard since last November on the update to the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan for Western Loudoun. On date TBD and July 16 at 5 p.m. in the main board room at the County Government Center, the Transportation and Land Use Committee will hold its fourth and fifth stakeholder work sessions for the Western Loudoun ordinance and comprehensive plan update. These two sessions will cover the regulations and standards surrounding the ABC licensed businesses of Western Loudoun, including wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries.
Increasing energy demand in Loudoun — the data center capital of the world — requires extensive new infrastructure buildout. To meet the load demand, fueled principally by data centers, Dominion Energy has initiated several new/expanded major transmission line projects, including the Morrisville-Wishing Star Electric Transmission Project. Over the last month, Dominion has held four county-based open houses to present options for the Morrisville-Wishing Star route to community members.
In an effort to track development applications that could impact important natural, cultural and historic resources, as well as the quality of life for Loudoun residents, PEC has created a shared spreadsheet that anyone can view.
ThePiedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is proud to produce and mail Buy Fresh Buy Local guides to over 330,000 households throughout our nine-county region and make it available online (see links below). These popular local food guides are a great way to support working farms and learn more about local food options!
For more than 50 years, The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) has worked to conserve and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont. We believe that doing so requires a strong, sustainable agricultural economy that helps keep rural lands economically viable.
That’s why we take a direct role in promoting working farms and the fresh foods and beverages they produce through our biennial Buy Fresh Buy Local guides. From veggies and fruit, to meat and dairy, to beer, wine and more, you’ll find all of your favorite local foods and beverages in our newly released 2025-2026 guides for the Northern Piedmont, Loudoun County and Charlottesville Area.
Learn more about each of our three guides below:
Northern Piedmont
Our Northern Piedmont guide features nearly 250 local food producers and distributors in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties. Among its listings are 124 local farms and orchards, 11 farmers markets, 37 specialty beverage producers, 24 restaurants and caterers that source locally, and 24 retailers, many of which are displayed on a travel map of the Northern Piedmont area. In addition, there are 19 value-added products that are part of a newly introduced section showcasing entrepreneurs adding value to locally grown products in the form of baked goods, sauces and more.
Northern Piedmont Highlights
This year’s Northern Piedmont guide also highlights two committed local farms and one community group: Kinloch Farm, a livestock farm in Fauquier County, focuses on the intersection of conservation and agriculture, using regenerative farming to incorporate grazing management practices through an adaptive lens that respects ecological cycles, improving the landscape and providing a flourishing habitat and food for wildlife, pollinators and the herd. The Chapman Farm, a cattle farm located in Bealeton, was one of the first farms in their neighborhood to implement water troughs and fencing in their fields that help keep waterways clean, and have been a center for conservation education in the region. And the Carver Food Enterprise Center is doing good work to assist small value-added food businesses and decrease food waste and insecurity across the Piedmont.
The Loudoun County guide features more than 170 local food producers and distributors in—you guessed it—Loudoun County. Among its listings are 71 local farms and orchards, nine farmers markets, 40 specialty beverage producers, 26 restaurants and caterers that source locally, 29 retailers (farm stands and grocers), and five value-added producers who have helped launch a new section for the Loudoun chapter!
Loudoun County Highlights
This year’s Loudoun area guide also highlights three local farm businesses. Long Stone Farm carefully stewards over 300 acres of rolling farmland in Lovettsville. By rotational grazing and careful nutrient management, they produce high quality proteins including non-GMO pork, beef, chicken, and eggs. Fireside Farm cultivates a diverse array of high quality vegetables grown by regenerative methods with extra care of the soil and their downstream neighbors. They also offer their veggies and grain in the form of gourmet wood-fired pizza at events around Loudoun. Wheatland Spring Farm & Brewery makes beer with ingredients grown onsite that reflects the distinct agricultural region of Virginia’s Piedmont — a concept they call “land beer.”
The Charlottesville Area guide features 239 local food producers and distributors in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties. Among its listings are 103 local farms and orchards, 15 farmers markets, 36 specialty beverage producers, 37 restaurants and caterers that source locally, 24 grocers, and 24 value-added products.
Charlottesville Area Highlights
This year’s Charlottesville Area guide also highlights two local growers and one local farm-to-table restaurant. Forrest Green Farm in Louisa County offers an array of farm-raised and locally-grown products. The farm employs a variety of conservation approaches, including regenerative farming, adaptive grazing practices and other holistic land management practices that contribute to healthy land, animals, and soil. Deep Roots Milling in Nelson County operates out of the historic Woodson mill (est. 1794), which uses a time-tested, environmentally sustainable process, using the power of water, to grind their locally-sourced grain, giving their products a unique and desirable texture and nutritional content that bakers love. FARMacy Cafe and Food Truck offers local Charlottesville residents its flavorful and healthful Mexican fusion cuisine that emphasizes nutrient-rich, organic, local ingredients sourced through collaborations with local organic farmers.
A big ‘thank you’ goes out to all of the farms and businesses who participated to make this guide a comprehensive resource for the community!
If you know a farm or business that didn’t make it into the guide, but would like to be listed, they can register on Virginia Market Maker and select the affiliation Buy Fresh Buy Local for the chapter they reside in to sign up!
One last note for our Clarke County members: Clarke County falls within the Shenandoah Valley Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter, and that guide isbrought to you by the Virginia Cooperative Extension; find out more about the Shenandoah Valley chapter and other Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters at buylocalvirginia.org.
