On June 10, 2023, The Piedmont Environmental Council hosted our annual meeting in Loudoun County and featured a workshop on data centers and Virginia’s clean energy future. The presentation, given by PEC’s Senior Energy and Climate Policy Analyst Ashish Kapoor and Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse, is available to view and download below.
Strong Communities
PEC believes that the work of protecting natural resources and the work of building better communities are integral to each other.
On the Ground Updates – June 2023
A series of short updates from around the PEC region.
Virginia’s Land Preservation Tax Credit hits a milestone
In late April, at the Virginia Land Conservation and Greenways conference in Harrisonburg, Senator Hanger proudly announced the permanent protection of over 1 million acres of land as a direct result of the LPTC.
Amazon Site Development Plan / Zoning Amendment on Overhead Power Lines
Amazon’s site development plan disregards multiple conditions of the special use permit approved in February and contains numerous omissions, deficiencies and errors…
Madison County Land Use Update
2023 has already been a busy year for the Madison County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, and I am writing to share some recent highlights with you. First, a committee of residents and representatives from the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors has been meeting since November to review Madison County’s Comprehensive Plan…
As the Smoke Clears
As the air begins to clear, it’s crucial to remember that we can and must act for a better future. Flooding, intense heat, and increased vulnerability to drought, in addition to wildfires and smoke, are among the top impacts that government at every level must actively prepare for and address.
Southwood / Biscuit Run Bridge Project
Connecting equal access, environmental best practice–and cost savings
Stevensburg residents shape their future
With the help of local community leaders and organizations, PEC informed the residents of Stevensburg and Brandy Station about the potential impacts of the AttoTek Data Center campus.
PEC supports legal challenge to Orange County Wilderness Crossing rezoning
On May 24, 2023, the American Battlefield Trust, Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Inc., Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, Inc., and a number of Orange County and Spotsylvania County residents filed a legal challenge to the recent approval by the Orange County Board of Supervisors of the rezoning of 2,600 acres in the county, known as Wilderness Crossing, at the gateway to the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The lawsuit cites several violations of state constitutional and statutory law and county zoning ordinance, including procedural errors, lack of required submittals and findings, and failure to comply with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, among other errors.
Fifth Street Trail Hub Update
The 5th Street Trail and Hub project will create a shared-use path connecting the 5th Street Starbucks, Fifth Street Station Parkway, and a trailhead at Fifth Street Station near Wegmans.