Combating Climate Change

Smart growth and development. Land conservation and good land management. Green energy policy and decision-making. These are all areas vital to combatting the effects of global climate change.

Solar for Rural Businesses Workshop Resources – May 7, 2024

Solar for Rural Businesses Workshop Resources – May 7, 2024

On May 7, 2024, PEC hosted a workshop called “Solar for Rural Businesses: Accessing Funding for Small-Scale Solar” in Albemarle County.

Video: “The Hidden Costs of the Cloud: Data Centers in Virginia”

Video: “The Hidden Costs of the Cloud: Data Centers in Virginia”

Virginia is undergoing an unprecedented economic, technological, and environmental transformation, all centered around the activities of one industry: data centers.

2024 General Assembly: Building Bipartisan Support for Conservation

2024 General Assembly: Building Bipartisan Support for Conservation

Updates on the conversations taking place in Richmond and a few of the ways PEC is working to support conservation efforts statewide.

PEC Responds to Dominion Energy’s Proposed 2023 Integrated Resource Plan

PEC Responds to Dominion Energy’s Proposed 2023 Integrated Resource Plan

In September, The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse submitted public comment on Dominion Energy’s proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as part of case number PUR-2023-00066 before the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Mitigating Data Center Development’s Impacts

Mitigating Data Center Development’s Impacts

Virginia is home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world, widely cited as hosting 70% of global internet traffic. This massive industry is continuing to grow very fast, requiring huge amounts of energy, land, and water to operate, resulting in widespread community impacts.

CODE RED: A Call to Action for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

CODE RED: A Call to Action for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

On July 13, PEC joined The Coalition for Smarter Growth and 39 other organizations from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia in calling on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to take urgent action on climate change, housing, racial and economic inequity, sprawl and unsustainable transportation.