The Piedmont News is an email digest of top news stories about conservation, land use, energy, and environmental matters of interest to the region. We hope you’ll share The Piedmont News with someone else who cares about these stories.
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The Christian Science Monitor
(March 20, 2025)
"Dwight Baugher’s sun-dappled orchard is an hour’s drive and a world away from the congestion of northern Virginia, where tar-ribboned exit ramps and windowless warehouses make up what is known as 'Data Center Alley.' ... But Data Center Alley now needs a giant 70-mile-long, 500,000-volt extension cord, and the preferred route runs right through his 150-year-old family-owned farm."
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse.
Loudoun Now
(March 19, 2025)
"The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan amendments that will eliminate data centers as a by-right use within the county."
This article mentions The Piedmont Environmental Council and features PEC Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse.
Reuters
(March 19, 2025)
"The mass reaction was triggered by a standard safety mechanism across the data center industry, intended to protect computer chips and electronic equipment from damage caused by voltage fluctuations. But it caused a huge surge in excess electricity, according to federal regulators and utility executives. The magnitude of the imbalance forced grid operator PJM and local utility Dominion Energy to scale back output from power plants to protect grid infrastructure and avoid a worst-case scenario of cascading power outages across the region."
InsideNoVa
(March 18, 2025)
"Tax revenue has been the driving rationale for every data center rezoning in Virginia, from Loudoun to Surry County. Years have passed since many of these projects, which promised hundreds of millions in tax revenue, were approved, and some local leaders may be expecting to use these promised riches to pay for schools or to lower taxes. However, counting on data center tax revenue for major expenditures is an extremely risky move for any locality."
This article is written by Piedmont Environmental Council Land Use Field Representative Sarah Parmelee.
The Daily Progress
(March 18, 2025)
"For Brick Goldman, farming isn’t just his career. It’s a way of life that has been passed down through six generations. But now, a recent round of federal cuts could threaten the 73-year-old’s livelihood, causing his 250-acre Charlotte County farm to lose more than $200,000 in revenue and preventing thousands of pounds of fresh produce from reaching those in need."
29 News
(March 17, 2025)
"A historic Civil War battlefield in eastern Orange County is the subject of a legal battle that could come to a head Friday, March 21. Three nonprofits—Central Virginia Battlefield Trust Inc., the American Battlefield Trust, and Friends of Wilderness Battlefield—and private citizens are calling for legal action over a zoning change that is slated to bring development near Wilderness Battlefield."
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council President Chris Miller.
Cardinal News
(March 17, 2025)
"Because of their wealth of experience, Northern Virginia residents and elected officials have suggestions for Southside Virginia, where data centers are much more foreign. Make sure the projects are zoned correctly, they say. Put them in industrial areas where they have the lowest chance of disrupting residents. Demand specifics about project details and do your research on the parties involved."
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse.
Business Insider
(March 14, 2025)
"Tech companies racing to secure power for their data centers have struck dozens of secretive electricity deals with utilities that could cost average Americans a 'staggering' amount, Harvard research found."
Bay Journal
(March 21, 2025)
"North America is home to more than 245 salamander species and seven newt species. Although newts are a type of salamander, they have some distinctions that differentiate them from their amphibious cousins."
The Washington Post
(March 18, 2025)
"Extensive cuts planned by the Trump administration to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget and staff will drastically threaten the health and recovery of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, according to leaders of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other environmental groups tasked with the bay’s restoration."
Information Charlottesville
(March 21, 2025)
"Charlottesville City Council held the first of two readings on a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan on March 17 after a public hearing, but this story comes from the Planning Commission’s public hearing on March 11."
This article mentions The Piedmont Environmental Council.
C-VILLE Weekly
(March 19, 2025)
"A plan to build a 50-unit mobile home park on a portion of 50 acres in southern Albemarle County is dead after the Board of Supervisors deadlocked 3-3 on rezoning. They did so after a three-hour discussion and a public hearing during which housing advocates urged the county to move past decades of rural area protection by allowing more residential density."
C-VILLE Weekly
(March 19, 2025)
"Charlottesville City Council took a break from the FY26 budget at its March 17 meeting to review the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The agenda will inform what the city does for the next decade, with the first financial allocations expected next year."
Charlottesville Tomorrow
(March 18, 2025)
"During the previous outbreak of the bird flu in the U.S. in 2022, Martin thought about potential alternatives before landing on something grand: what if she just raised the chickens herself? Her question led her to join the Charlottesville League of Urban Chicken Keepers, or CLUCK, a Facebook group. Before long, Martin had more than a dozen baby chicks in her backyard."
Charlottesville Tomorrow
(March 17, 2025)
"On Saturday, March 22 at 3 p.m., the City of Charlottesville will continue its ongoing efforts to educate the public about local history with the unveiling of a new state historical marker and accompanying Green Book plaque at the site of the former Carver Inn on Preston Avenue in Charlottesville."
Information Charlottesville
(March 14, 2025)
"More than 30,000 people have used the trails at Biscuit Run Park since they were opened to the public in December 2024. That’s according to an information release sent out this afternoon notifying people that some of them will be closed for a while."
Information Charlottesville
(March 14, 2025)
"The University of Virginia is planning on building its own data center to support research across a wide range of fields. The Finance Committee of the Board of Visitors got a deep dive on the needs at their meeting on the morning of March 7."
Information Charlottesville
(March 14, 2025)
"There are a lot of steps to take if you want to build a new apartment building and want to restrict all of the units to households and individuals below a certain annual income. The University of Virginia Foundation and the group Preservation of Affordable Housing want to build a six story building at 1000 Wertland Street and designate all 180 apartments as affordable."
Culpeper Times
(March 19, 2025)
"The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday recognized Roy Boldridge of Homeland Farm in Rixeyville as the 2025 Agribusiness of the Year, according to a release from the chamber. The award honors local agribusinesses that demonstrate a strong presence in Culpeper County, embrace innovation and actively contribute to both agricultural and community organizations."
Culpeper Star-Exponent
(March 18, 2025)
"The Culpeper County Planning Commission has approved a conditional-use permit for the construction and operation of a fiber hub facility... The developed area would be near a wooded grove in an agriculturally zoned area, it would include up to six equipment shelters, six propane generators, two 2,000 gallon propane tanks and an 8-foot-high composite fence."
Fauquier Now
(March 20, 2025)
"Fauquier County is shining a spotlight on its agricultural community this March, recognizing the role of local farmers, agribusiness professionals and agricultural traditions during Agriculture Appreciation Month."
Fauquier Times
(March 18, 2025)
"If all goes according to plan, more than 500 acres along Vint Hill Road that was farmed by three generations of House family members will become 'Alderwood at Kettle Run' and 'Longleaf at Kettle Run' — two residential developments that could bring about 800 homes to the Vint Hill Road corridor."
Fauquier Now
(March 18, 2025)
"Warrenton’s Town Council is weighing changes to Main Street’s infrastructure while considering a request from business owners to temporarily reinstate parklets for outdoor dining."
Fauquier Times
(March 17, 2025)
"Fauquier County is close to reaching an agreement with Mike Hawkins, the Midland farmer whose fill dirt operations have long tormented his neighbors. Under its terms, the dozens of dump trucks that travel to and from his land will cease by mid-summer, and he and the county will drop dueling legal actions."
Fauquier Now
(March 14, 2025)
"The Warrenton Town Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to uphold its support of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement to annex approximately 240 acres into the town, including 234 acres designated for the 254-home Arrington subdivision project."
Greene County Record
(March 19, 2025)
"Greene County officials say they know they have reached a watershed moment: One of Virginia’s smallest counties geographically struggles to supply water to its growing population. Experts have told the county for years that the solution is a reservoir. But the $87 million price tag of constructing a reservoir and upgrading the town of Stanardsville’s infrastructure — as well as concerns that a reservoir would be more susceptible to contamination than wells — has paralyzed the county’s board of supervisors."
Loudoun Now
(March 21, 2025)
"The Town of Leesburg’s draft zoning ordinance update is available online and features a built-in public comment system for each of the sections."
Loudoun Now
(March 21, 2025)
"After Dominion Energy cleared four miles of trees along the W&OD Trail in Fairfax County, Loudoun supervisors this week directed the staff to find out more about the potential impacts on this side of the county line and to push for more restrained pruning."
Loudoun Now
(March 20, 2025)
"A group of parents and neighborhood residents opposing Dominion Energy's plan to build high voltage transmission lines near the Rock Ridge High School and Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School protested near the shared campus Wednesday afternoon."
Loudoun Now
(March 19, 2025)
"A rezoning application by JK Land Holdings to permit up to 927,000 square feet of data center use on a tract south of Leesburg received a showing of support from speakers during a March 12 public hearing."
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Land Use Field Representative Tia Earman.
Loudoun Now
(March 19, 2025)
"As the School Board weighs a decision on wether to grant easements allowing Dominion Energy to build transmission lines near Rock Ridge High School and Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School, Loudoun Valley Estates residents on Tuesday urged the Board of Supervisors to rescind its recommendation on which route would be preferable out of options provided by the utility."
Loudoun Times-Mirror
(March 14, 2025)
"The county might soon be looking for a vendor, or a new facility at the landfill, that would convert methane gas emissions into renewable natural gas."
Loudoun Times-Mirror
(March 13, 2025)
"The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is expected to decide April 15 whether to approve special exceptions for the proposed nearly 1 million square-foot Cross Mills data center."
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Land Use Field Representative Tia Earman.
Rappahannock News
(March 20, 2025)
"The Inn at Little Washington has submitted a draft proposal for an in-ground swimming pool behind its Parsonage guesthouse on Main Street. The application will be considered at the town Planning Commission’s meeting March 24 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 485 Gay St."
Rappahannock News
(March 14, 2025)
"The Washington Town Council voted Monday to move forward with making a plot of town-owned land available for sale after three homeowners came forward with interest in sections of the plot."
InsideNoVa
(March 21, 2025)
"Prince William officials on Tuesday provided the Board of County Supervisors with a noise ordinance update featuring crucial changes that are likely to tighten standards for noise regulation, notably with regard to data center construction and operation."
Prince William Times
(March 20, 2025)
"As the number of data centers popping up around the county grows, so does the tax revenue they generate for local government and schools. Yet, as of now, a typical homeowner is on track to pay about $300 more in real estate tax bills next year. So why do residents’ tax bills keep rising despite the rapid growth in data centers tax revenue?"
Prince William Times
(March 18, 2025)
"After pushback from parents, Chris Yung Elementary School is abandoning plans to allow a construction firm building a new data center behind the school to use a banner with students’ signatures for a ceremony planned for the project’s completion."
Free Lance-Star
(March 21, 2025)
"Spotsylvania County took another step toward developing regulations for data center development as that industry continues its whirlwind growth in the state."
Free Lance-Star
(March 20, 2025)
"Stafford County will have 100 data center buildings from the Courthouse area south to U.S. 17 — on campuses that total almost 25 million square feet of space — if county officials approve projects in the pipeline."
Fredericksburg Free Press
(March 19, 2025)
"Developers wanting to put data centers in certain parts of Stafford County won’t face stricter zoning regulations after a Board of Supervisors’ vote Tuesday night. The supervisors voted 4-3 to turn down a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would have required data center developers to obtain a conditional-use permit for projects in parts of the county zoned for heavy industrial use. Currently, data centers can be built on such parcels without receiving permit approval from the supervisors."
The Washington Post
(March 18, 2025)
"Extensive cuts planned by the Trump administration to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget and staff will drastically threaten the health and recovery of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, according to leaders of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other environmental groups tasked with the bay’s restoration."
The Winchester Star
(March 18, 2025)
"Developers behind a proposed 2-million-square-foot data center in Strasburg say the site is an ideal fit due to its existing infrastructure and zoning. At a public meeting Monday, residents raised questions about water usage, noise and economic benefits."
Royal Examiner
(March 18, 2025)
"The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released the Phase 1 report from its Shenandoah Valley Rail-with-Trail Assessment, offering the public a first look at what it would take to build a trail alongside the unused railroad corridor between Broadway and Front Royal."
The Winchester Star
(March 17, 2025)
"Proposed zoning ordinance changes involving data centers were tabled by the Frederick County Board of Supervisors last week."
Inside Climate News
(March 21, 2025)
"It’s all eyes on Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin now to take action on a number of bills aimed at increasing renewable energy development in the state and utility customer savings. Among the bills Youngkin must act on by midnight Monday is a measure sponsored by Del. Katrina Callsen (D-Charlottesville) and Sen. Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (D-Henrico) aimed at increasing small-scale solar projects."
Radio IQ
(March 19, 2025)
"A virtual power plant is kinda like an old-fashioned power plant except it's decentralized. That's the argument in favor of the governor signing a bill currently on his desk for a pilot program."
Cardinal News
(March 18, 2025)
"Mecklenburg is not the first Virginia locality to try to turn away solar — at least 10 other counties have outright bans or severe restrictions on solar. Others don’t have formal bans but have simply rejected all or most of the solar projects that have come before their boards of supervisors. Mecklenburg is simply the latest."
Richmond Times-Dispatch
(March 15, 2025)
"Test results show that sewage sludge produced in Henrico County has high levels of PFAS — the forever chemicals whose long-term ingestion is linked to cancer and other human harms. The sludge produced at the Henrico Wastewater Treatment Plant is exported across the state, where it gets applied to farmland."
The Daily Climate
(March 14, 2025)
"A Virginia judge has paused the state’s court-ordered return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) while Gov. Glenn Youngkin appeals the decision, delaying millions in climate and flood-preparedness funding."
Canary Media
(March 20, 2025)
"But Energy Innovation’s report repeats findings from a series of studies over the past months that forecast major downsides to repealing the tax credits, including lost jobs, hundreds of billions of dollars of foregone investment — and significantly more expensive electricity for U.S. businesses and households."
The Washington Post
(March 20, 2025)
"On Thursday, however, the Park Service began reinstating all fired probationary workers, according to emails obtained by The Washington Post and a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to comment publicly."
BPR News
(March 19, 2025)
"Since the grant is reimbursement-based, the Klimstras are already out-of-pocket for some costs related to the project. Plus, the farm had been banking on saving over $1,000 per year in utilities expenses. In a given month, their electricity bill is $300-$400. REAP was going to be a lifesaver for family-owned, rural businesses like theirs, the Klimstras said, by reducing utility bills and helping with the capital costs of installing energy-saving technology and renewable energy on their buildings."
Canary Media
(March 18, 2025)
"An RMI report finds that solar and wind energy could connect to rarely used gas plants to meet gigawatts of data center demand, and still share power with the grid."
The New York Times
(March 16, 2025)
"The race to build artificial intelligence is driven by little silicon chips called GPUs, which were originally created for video games. Tech companies are now packing GPUs — which are ideal for running the calculations that power A.I. — as tightly as possible into specialized computers. The result is a new kind of supercomputer — a collection of up to 100,000 chips wired together in buildings known as data centers to hammer away at making powerful A.I. systems."
