The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is considering adopting a variance that would allow the data center industry to run backup diesel generators for longer and more frequent periods of time from March to July – allowing them to circumvent Virginia’s air pollution control laws that limit dangerous pollutants and emissions.
General Assembly
Find out more about what we are tracking during Virginia’s annual legislative session.
2023 General Assembly Crossover Update
This Tuesday marked the halfway point of Virginia’s 2023 General Assembly Session, a date known as ‘crossover.’ The House and Senate have each finished voting on the bills their members put forward, and now move on to consider legislation passed by the opposite body.
Virginia goes all in on data centers: At what cost?
Send a letter in support of SB 1078 and Senate Joint Resolution 240.
Eyes on Richmond / Call to Support Farmland Protection
The Piedmont Environmental Council is tracking a broad array of bills and budget amendments, as well as supporting legislative priorities of partners within the Virginia Conservation Network.
Taking on State Law in Defense of Family Farms
It’s reasonable that Mike and Tina Roebuck want to hold on to the 112-acre Madison County farm that’s been in the Roebuck family for nearly 150 years. But a clause in a Virginia state law contained an unreasonable requirement that nearly cost the Roebucks the farm, quite literally. And when PEC heard about their predicament, our state policy team went to work.
Report from Richmond: The good, the bad from a busy session
PEC’s summary of the 2022 Virginia General Assembly session.
2022-2024 Virginia Budget Priorities
The 2022-2024 biennium budget is an opportunity to make historic investments in the preservation and enjoyment of Virginia’s natural lands.
HB 206 – Getting Solar Siting Right
The Virginia House of Delegates has advanced HB 206, a bipartisan bill to improve the utility-scale solar permitting process in Virginia.
Your Action Needed on a Few Good Bills
Three bills that need your advocacy this week, plus more to pay attention to as the General Assembly session continues.
SB 255: A Sweetheart Deal for Big Telecom
If passed, Senate Bill 255 would effectively prevent localities from denying cell tower proposals under 150 feet in height, making it extremely difficult to protect important cultural, scenic and environmental resources.