PEC, in cooperation with our excellent partners, offers free planting services, including technical assistance, project design, materials and labor to qualifying landowners in the region, through three location-based programs.
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!
Letter to the General Assembly: Data Centers Need to Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes
PEC sent a letter to members of the General Assembly about our support of efforts to eliminate or substantially limit the sales tax credit on data center equipment.
Outdoor Access is Economic Infrastructure: the Sixth Active Mobility Summit
Thanks to everyone who made the sixth annual Active Mobility Summit a success!
Culpeper Update: More Power Infrastructure Headed Our Way
As this year’s legislative session winds down, I want to take the opportunity to let you know about a few important developments in Culpeper County and encourage you to attend/weigh in and keep on the lookout for more to come.
Update: Rappahannock County Planning Commission Recommends Adoption of New Regulations for Electrical Substations
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Rappahannock County Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposed update of the county code of ordinances to require a special exception for new or expanded electrical substations.
Data Centers in the Town of Orange? Protect a Livable Town
The Piedmont Environmental Council is working closely with residents and town officials to ensure that future development complements, not destroys, the livable character of Orange.
An Electric Super-Highway Through the Piedmont
Joining the list of new energy and infrastructure proposals across the state to serve sky-rocketing data center demand is a proposal to build the largest transmission line ever seen in Dominion Energy’s territory. Dubbed “Joshua Falls-Yeat,” the 115-mile, 765 kilovolt transmission line would cross as many as nine counties in central Virginia.
Help Get Data Center Reform Legislation Over the Finish Line!
Take Action: SB619 and SB339 passed the Senate, and we expect the House will start voting on these bills as early as this Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Tenaska Developer Continues to Push for Power Plant
Considering the known health and environmental impacts to the surrounding community (detailed below), we urge community members and the Planning Commission to vote no on granting the Special Use Permit and reject the Tenaska gas plant.
Demanding Answers from FirstEnergy: Impacts of Page-Sperryville Transmission Line Upgrade Project
FirstEnergy has proposed to “wreck and rebuild” the Page-Sperryville Transmission Line Rebuild Project. We are very concerned that without accurate and detailed information about the project, neither the public nor the county government can ask informed questions.