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.
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!
PEC lawsuit confirms abuse of FOIA by Orange County for the benefit of Amazon
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
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
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
jbolthouse@pecva.org; 571-442-4068.
Kyle Hart, Mid Atlantic Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association
khart@npca.org; 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.
On The Ground Updates – December 2023
A series of short land use and conservation updates from around the PEC region.
Bringing Solar to Farms in the Piedmont
Whether it’s DIY or in the hands of the Commonwealth’s many trusted local solar businesses, now is a better time than ever to go solar.
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
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.