PEC commissioned Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors to study and calculate the actual value of distributed solar generation in Dominion Energy’s territory.
Energy Matters
PEC works toward energy solutions that emphasize efficiency first, use appropriate technologies for the 21st Century and respect the scenic and historic character of the Piedmont.
Resources from the Albemarle Data Center Community Meeting — Sept. 16, 2025
Resources for Albemarle County from our Data Center Community Meeting held Sept. 16, 2025 in Charlottesville.
Culpeper Quarterly Update – Culpeper puts guardrails on data centers
I wanted to fill you in on some recent happenings in Culpeper: 1) a big win for Culpeper County as the Board of Supervisors finally starts putting guard rails on data centers; 2) an update on the Town Unified Draft Ordinance; and 3) some information about planned transmission line and substation expansion to serve Culpeper data centers and how you can provide input.
Why is Dominion trying to kill rooftop solar?
These days, it’s always refreshing to find things that most folks agree on. Solar on rooftops, parking lots and brownfields, along with smaller-scale agrivoltaics (combining agriculture and solar production on the same land), get pretty widespread support in the world of renewable energy and climate efforts. But Dominion Energy wants to undermine the economic viability of these popular energy solutions in Virginia by slashing the value of their most critical element: net metering.
Upcoming SCC Hearings: Golden to Mars Transmission Line
Two critical opportunities are coming up to advocate for undergrounding of the proposed “Golden to Mars” electric transmission line, an unprecedented high voltage line cutting through a dense suburban community in eastern Loudoun to provide power to data centers in the County.
Golden to Mars Project Timeline
Dominion Energy plans to build 8.4 miles of new transmission infrastructure in the Ashburn and Dulles area to carry 500 kV and 230 kV powerlines to Data Center Alley.
The proposed Golden to Mars transmission line (red) is part of a three-segment loop proposed by Dominion to move more power to data centers.
Known as the Golden to Mars line, it is the last segment of a three-part loop to serve Data Center Alley, which connects with the Aspen to Golden line (under litigation) and the Wishing Star to Mars line. It also includes two offshoot 230 kV loops (Lockridge and Sojourner).
SCC Talking Points: Golden to Mars Transmission Line
In order to have the most impact, it is important to tailor your comments to the SCC’s priorities and objectives, as their decision-making is guided by strict standards. PEC has put together the following talking points to help you craft your comment.
Gigaland Application Withdrawn: Our Community’s Voice Was Heard!
In a victory and a testament to the power of civic engagment, the developers for the proposed Gigaland data center project in Remington have officially withdrawn their application. However, the developers have stated their intention to submit a new, revised application as soon as January.
Join Us for a Data Center Community Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 16
Join us for a community meeting in Charlottesville Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 6-8 p.m. to hear from PEC’s data center experts about the industry’s environmental impacts and how advocating for better regulations and transparency in both the county and the state can help catalyze better outcomes for communities.
Piedmont Environmental Council Launches Virginians for a Smarter Digital Future
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) announced the launch of “Virginians for a Smarter Digital Future,” a statewide campaign designed to raise awareness of the impacts of data centers for all Virginia residents — and provide the tools they need to advocate for themselves, as well as their families, businesses and communities.