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.
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!
Winter 2023 Piedmont View
In this issue: a 2024 General Assembly preview; this year’s photo contest winners; a look at how PEC is bringing distributed solar to farms in the Piedmont; PEC staffer profiles, Out & About; and more.
Quick Update: Things to Know in Culpeper
Before we get to the end of the year, I want to give you a quick update on some issues we’ve been following in Culpeper.
Albemarle County Community Surveys 1994-2023 Report
The results of our analysis further underscore the priority Albemarle County residents have overwhelmingly given to policies tied to the environment, preservation and smart growth for nearly 30 years.
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Authorizes Data Center Study
On Dec. 11, 2023, the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission passed a resolution authorizing a robust study into recent and expected trends within the data center industry.
Prince William Board to Vote on World’s Largest Data Center Proposal Dec. 12
Prince William County’s planning staff and the Planning Commission have recommended denial of the Digital Gateway rezonings.
Ask Loudoun Supervisors to Adopt the New Zoning Ordinance!
This upcoming Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed revisions it made to the Planning Commission’s draft Zoning Ordinance.
Resources from the Hillsboro Town Hall on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Nov. 30, 2023
On Thursday, Nov. 30, PEC hosted more than 150 people in Hillsboro to discuss transmission line and data center proposals in Loudoun.
Recording: General Assembly Preview
On Saturday, Dec. 2, over 450 advocates banded together at Virginia Conservation Network’s 13 in-person Regional Watch Parties across the state or tuned in virtually to “preview” the critical environmental legislative action upcoming in the 2024 General Assembly.
Existing and Proposed Data Centers – A Web Map
How many data centers currently exist in Virginia? How many proposals are in the works? These are very good questions. It’s also extremely difficult to provide an answer, given there is no publicly available dataset or state-level tracking of these facilities. In response, The Piedmont Environmental Council has pulled together an online web map showing existing data center facilities (that we are aware of), along with pending data center proposals we have found on various town and county websites, as well as through various news outlets.