Our Work

Safeguarding the landscapes, communities and heritage of the Piedmont by involving citizens in public policy and land conservation. Learn more about our work by browsing the subject areas below and find out how to get involved!

Data Center Legislation in the 2024 Virginia General Assembly

Posted on February 13, 2024February 13, 2024 by PEC

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.

Take Action: Protect Local Government Accountability

Posted on February 8, 2024February 9, 2024 by John McCarthy

We need your help opposing House Bill 1459 (Owen), which will be voted on by the full Counties, Cities and Towns Committee this Friday morning at 9 a.m.

Three Advocacy Priorities That Need Your Attention

Posted on January 31, 2024January 31, 2024 by John McCarthy

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.

PEC lawsuit confirms abuse of FOIA by Orange County for the benefit of Amazon

Posted on January 29, 2024May 17, 2024 by Cindy Sabato

The Virginia FOIA lawsuit that PEC filed against Orange County in October concluded last month with officials turning over the requested documents, thus avoiding a hearing in court.

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

Posted on January 24, 2024January 30, 2024 by Gem Bingol

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

Posted on January 22, 2024October 13, 2025 by PEC

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?

Contact Julie Bolthouse →

Coalition Members

Data Center Reform Coalition Press Conference

Contact

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