Planning and Zoning

PEC believes in smart growth planning and decision-making that enhances communities, reduces vehicle miles traveled, and protects natural, cultural and historic resources.

Data Centers, Surging Power Demand Take Center Stage

Posted on September 28, 2023September 29, 2023 by Julie Bolthouse

The size, scale, and speed at which applications for data center projects are coming in and being approved is astounding.

Just this month, massive proposals moved forward in Culpeper, Louisa, and King George counties, with more being reviewed in Caroline and Stafford counties. Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and Fauquier counties all have multiple active proposals for hyperscale data centers, which can demand hundreds of megawatts of power per campus. As an example, the data center campus just approved in King George County could total more than 1,200 MW alone.

The Environmental Footprint of the Digital Age

Posted on September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 by Julie Bolthouse

Virginia is subsidizing billions of dollars in data center development on the backs of its ratepayers, without a full understanding of the long-term ramifications.

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

Posted on September 18, 2023September 19, 2023 by Bri West

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.

Case Study in Breaking Ground: An Affordable Housing Resource Guide for Land Trusts

Posted on September 1, 2023September 1, 2023 by Sophia Chapin

PEC’s take on the intersection between affordable housing and land conservation.

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

Posted on July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 by PEC

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.

Our Albemarle Climate Action Platform

Posted on July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 by Rob McGinnis

In 2022, PEC created a preliminary climate action platform guidance document in support of a climate-ready Albemarle Country. The document summarizes the priority areas where we believe The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) can most advance our mission and support Albemarle County’s mitigation of and preparation for climate impacts.

The recommendations contained in the document directly address climate vulnerabilities and risks as identified through a thorough, scientific assessment of local impacts. Our vision is a County that is sustainable, climate resilient, innovative, equitable, and one that leads by example on inland climate mitigation and adaptation planning.

Albemarle County recognized for resilience planning effort

Posted on July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 by Bri West

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is pleased to congratulate Albemarle County for receiving the Resilient Virginia Community of the Year Honorable Mention in the American Planning Association Virginia Awards Program. The Resilient Virginia Community of the Year category recognizes a community’s commitment to building resilience through responsible planning practice and innovation on real-world solutions to buffer their community from adverse effects stemming from a variety of potential forces.

PEC Presentation on Data Centers & Virginia’s Clean Energy Future

Posted on June 21, 2023August 11, 2023 by Bri West

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.

Madison County Land Use Update

Posted on June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 by Don McCown

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…

Stevensburg residents shape their future

Posted on June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 by PEC

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.