A series of short updates from around the PEC region.
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.
A Mixed Bag at the General Assembly
This has been a very busy, and challenging, legislative session.
Resources from the Loudoun Virtual Community Meeting on Data Centers and Energy Infrastructure – March 4, 2024
On March 4, 2024 PEC held a virtual community meeting about the explosive growth of data centers in Loudoun County and the surrounding region and the new transmission line projects proposed to meet their energy needs.
Data Centers in Loudoun: Free Webinar March 4; Critical Public Hearing March 13
Loudoun County is known as the “data center capital of the world” for good reason: there are more data centers here than in any other single jurisdiction across the globe.
Data Center Legislation in the 2024 Virginia General Assembly
Numerous pieces of legislation related to data center reform were introduced as part of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly Session. Unfortunately, the majority of the bills were defeated or carried over to the 2025 Virginia General Assembly Session.
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
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 25 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 state lawmakers to study 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.
Numerous bills have been introduced in the 2024 General Assembly session thanks to the work of this collaboration in spreading the word, mobilizing public support, and working directly with elected officials to draft the legislation. We invite you to take action in supporting their passage.
Members
American Battlefield Trust
Chesapeake Bay Program
Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Citizens for Fauquier County
Clean Virginia
Coalition for Smarter Growth
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
Coalition to Protect Prince William County
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
Friends of the Rappahannock
Goose Creek Association
Henrico Conservation Action Network
HOA Roundtable
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground
Loudoun Climate Project
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy
Manassas Battlefield Trust
National Parks Conservation Association
Nature Forward
The Piedmont Environmental Council
Preservation Virginia
Prince William Conservation Alliance
Protect Catlett
Protect Fauquier
Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action
Virginia Conservation Network
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Virginia Native Plant Society
Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area
…and more, including 20+ HOA and community representatives
Contact
Julie Bolthouse, Director of Land Use, Piedmont Environmental Council
[email protected]; 571-442-4068.
Kyle Hart, Mid Atlantic Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association
[email protected]; 202-400-1193
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 Begins
As you’ve probably noticed from an uptick in news out of Richmond, the Virginia General Assembly kicked off this Wednesday, Jan. 10.