Data Centers

Three Advocacy Priorities That Need Your Attention

Three Advocacy Priorities That Need Your Attention

Since the General Assembly began its 2024 session, the newly-opened General Assembly office building and the Capitol have seen frenetic activity, day in and day out. Many bills that were introduced in January have now seen numerous amendments and text changes, with some being passed over and others being voted out of committee and onto the House or Senate floor for action.

Resources from the Purcellville Community Meeting on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Jan. 22, 2024

Resources from the Purcellville Community Meeting on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Jan. 22, 2024

On Monday, Jan. 22, we hosted a community meeting on data centers and energy infrastructure in Purcellville. It was great to have more than 170 people join us at Woodgrove High School to learn more about these important issues, ask questions and share concerns.

Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition

This growing coalition is made up of more than 50 environmental, conservation, historic preservation, and climate advocacy groups, as well as representatives of communities and neighborhoods across the state of Virginia.

Together, we are urging localities to adopt strong local protections and pushing for our state lawmakers to require transparency around and track the cumulative effects of data center development on Virginia’s electrical grid, water resources, air quality, and land conservation efforts, and to institute several common-sense regulatory and rate-making reforms for the industry.

It is thanks to the work of this coalition in spreading the word, mobilizing public support, and working directly in communities that we are starting to see real progress and reform at the local and state level. We encourage you to learn more about the threat of data centers on our communities and natural environment in Virginia at www.pecva.org/datacenters. Also check out the many resources available on the coalition partner webpages below.

Interested in joining the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition, or have more questions?

Coalition Members

Data Center Reform Coalition Press Conference

Contact

Julie Bolthouse
Director of Land Use
[email protected]
(540) 347-2334 ext. 7042

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.

On The Ground Updates – December 2023

On The Ground Updates – December 2023

A series of short land use and conservation updates from around the PEC region.

Conservation Community Priorities for the 2024 General Assembly

Conservation Community Priorities for the 2024 General Assembly

With the many issues facing Virginia throughout the upcoming session, PEC staff will work with VCN and other allies to testify before the legislature, speak about budget priorities and amendments, and help lead with our strategic plan as our guide.

Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals

Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals

We must address the booming data center growth in our state that is requiring unprecedented expansions of our energy grid and hindering our ability to get off of fossil fuels.