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.
CVILLE Right Now
(October 2, 2025)
Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors is stopping where they are, sticking with the ordinance they adopted in April regulating data centers. This after county staff recommended “to pause further work on this topic to allow new industry regulations to coalesce”.
WHRO
(October 1, 2025)
The state’s recently updated plan includes plants — and data centers — for the first time. Virginia is made up of a wide range of forests, rivers, grasslands and beaches — all home to a vast array of wildlife, seen and unseen. For the state’s new Wildlife Action Plan, officials looked into all of it.
The New York Times
(October 1, 2025)
Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most revered conservationists, who earned scientific stature and global celebrity by chronicling the distinctive behavior of wild chimpanzees in East Africa — primates that made and used tools, ate meat, held rain dances and engaged in organized warfare — died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. She was 91.
The New Energy Crisis
(October 1, 2025)
Dominion says the key reason for the hikes is inflation, but other forces are at work, too. The main one is the surge in data centers. Their heavy electricity use requires new energy plants and high-powered transmission lines, much of which is paid for by residential ratepayers. Data centers have also tightened the demand-supply equation, driving up the cost of electricity even more. Northern Virginia residents want to know whether what they are paying is fair, whether they are paying for what data centers should be. The Times reviewed utility and regulator reports and interviewed utility officials and power experts to get answers.
This article is the third in an eight-part series published in The New Energy Crisis, a project by the Fauquier Times and Prince William Times. Read more in this series at The New Energy Crisis.
Bay Journal
(October 1, 2025)
High-resolution aerial surveys show a loss of tree cover nearly equivalent to acreage of Lynchburg, VA, from 2013 to 2021. Meanwhile, over that same time, development covered an area twice the land size of Baltimore, with roads, rooftops, parking lots and other impervious surfaces.
Inside Climate News
(September 30, 2025)
You might think the state that is the undisputed epicenter of global internet traffic has a leg up on managing the challenges of the artificial intelligence arms race. So far, it’s not working out that way. Nationwide, that push by Silicon Valley is gobbling up energy, increasing average customers’ electricity bills and threatening progress on decarbonization. In Virginia, data-center developers warned the utility Dominion Energy at the end of last year that their upcoming projects would need 40 gigawatts of electricity—the energy equivalent of increasing Virginia’s households nearly fourfold.
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Energy & Climate Advisor Ashish Kapoor.
Smithsonian Magazine
(September 29, 2025)
Gregory Pirio says he never would have moved to his townhome in Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County had he known that the area would soon be at the epicenter of a data center boom. Pirio—who works as the director of the Extractive Industry and Human Development Center at the Institute of World Affairs—moved to the county, just about an hour’s drive outside of Washington, D.C. 14 years ago. Back then, he recalls the place being filled with forested areas and farmland, with the occasional sounds of planes flying in from Dulles. “It was just really beautiful, and now it has this very industrial feel across it,” he says, adding that one can now drive for miles and just see data centers.
The Equation
(September 29, 2025)
Electric bills are going up around the country and some of those increases are due to an outdated practice that requires consumers to pay billions for tech giants’ grid connections. Our new analysis tallies up $4.3 billion in costs in 2024 for just seven states: Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Piedmont Journal Recorder
(October 2, 2025)
October is a fascinating time in nature, especially the spectacular foliage autumn colors. Thanks to the varying elevations of Virginia, which go from mountains to shores, our state has a long fall foliage season which starts at the at the higher elevations and moves westward towards the Bay and the ocean.
Fauquier Now
(October 1, 2025)
An Airstream-towing SUV pulled through the Thornton Gap entrance of Shenandoah National Park Wednesday evening while diners at Skyland enjoyed their panoramic view of the sunset. But the government shutdown means most of the services that park visitors usually expect are now drastically reduced.
Fauquier Times
(October 1, 2025)
Three former Shenandoah Park superintendents—Bill Wade, Jim Northup and Douglas Morris— joined more than 40 former park superintendents urging Interior Secretary Doug Burgum close parks during the shutdown to prevent possible vandalism and harm to wildlife habitat in a signed letter on Set. 25.
The Piedmont Journal Recorder
(September 30, 2025)
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is calling on community volunteers who love to get their hands dirty to join in any of three upcoming volunteer tree planting projects in October and November. “These are fun, outdoor events that give volunteers a chance to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty planting nearly 700 native trees on three properties – one in Loudoun County and two in Rappahannock County, as part of PEC’s Plantings for the Piedmont initiative,” said Ellie Young, PEC’s Plantings for the Piedmont assistant. “The native riparian buffers we’re building together protect not only their directly adjacent streams and waterways but also drinking water supplies and countless miles of downstream ecosystems.”
The Piedmont Journal Recorder
(September 27, 2025)
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 5 – 7 p.m., community members are invited to a free Conservation Funding Workshop and Social to learn about funding and technical assistance available to them for land management and conservation options that benefit water quality and wildlife, as well as working lands and farmers.
This workshop is being hosted by Natural Resources Conservation Service, the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, Fauquier County Department of Agricultural Development, and The Piedmont Environmental Council in partnership with PEC’s Julian Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund.
Canary Media
(September 26, 2025)
There’s nothing like a shared frustration to bring people together. For a group of Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states, that’s rising power prices on the grid operated by PJM Interconnection. Both Republican and Democratic governors are calling out PJM’s management and demanding change — a repeat of a cycle that’s been going on for years and has no easy solution.
Information Charlottesville
(October 2, 2025)
For the past eight years, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has been in support of efforts to monitor greenhouse gas emissions as part of an international bid to keep global temperatures from rising. For six years, though, a different set of elected officials opted out of the program. On September 17, 2025, the six elected officials got a briefing from staff on county and regional efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to a world of higher temperatures and more volatile storms.
Information Charlottesville
(October 2, 2025)
Charlottesville’s new zoning code has been in place now for about a year and a half and many land use changes have been granted under rules that are still subject to a legal challenge. A new trial date has been set for White v. Charlottesville that will give a group of city property owners the ability to explain in court their claim that the city did not comply with state law.
C-VILLE Weekly
(October 1, 2025)
Virginia is for lovers—data center lovers. Nearly half of the nation’s facilities are in the Commonwealth, mostly concentrated in Northern Virginia where there are more data centers than anywhere else in the world. These facilities, which can range from the size of a grocery store to an entire shopping district or larger, use massive amounts of energy, require water to cool off, and often strip communities of their rural character. Now, Albemarle County officials are deciding how to regulate data center development in our area.
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Land Use Field Representative Rob McGinnis.
CVILLE Right Now
(October 1, 2025)
Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors are expected to pause consideration of a second phase of regulations for data centers as it awaits potential statewide guidelines coming down from Richmond.
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Land Use Field Representative Rob McGinnis.
C-VILLE Weekly
(October 1, 2025)
After nearly four years of review, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors is expected to adopt a new Comprehensive Plan on October 15. Such documents contain directions for staff to work on new policies and retain old ones. Until mid-September, the proposed Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan included language that would have set up future study of how land at two exits from Interstate 64 might be used for economic development.
CBS 19 News
(September 30, 2025)
A lot of questions remain surrounding the ever-evolving topic of bringing data centers to Albemarle County. The Board of Supervisors is expected to meet Wednesday and receive an update from the county to ask for a pause, allowing the dust to settle.
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Land Use Field Representative Rob McGinnis.
The Daily Progress
(September 26, 2025)
Loop de’Ville originally grew out of an annual trek by loyal Rivanna Trail Foundation members who wanted to cover the entire distance. The trail festival was opened to the public at large a few years ago, and this year, Loop de’Ville coincides with National Public Lands Day, which Krebs said calls more attention to “a celebration of all the outdoor spaces.”
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Albemarle and Charlottesville Community Advocacy Manager Peter Krebs.
CBS 19 News
(September 26, 2025)
[Video] Meteorologist AJ Willy speaks with Peter Krebs of the Piedmont Environmental Council about the upcoming Loop de Ville.
This article features Piedmont Environmental Council Albemarle and Charlottesville Community Advocacy Manager Peter Krebs.
Forsythia Hill Finds
(September 24, 2025)
Albemarle County staff is going to recommend to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) to "pause" the data center ordinance proposal and keep it as is until at least end end of the year. This doesn't mean that the BOS has to accept this recommendation but historically it is given great weight in their decision making. Please continue to express your thoughts with the current BOS and attend meetings. Several crucial changes will be taking place this January: 1) two new BOS members begin their term 2) a new state Governor.
This article summarizes a presentation given by The Piedmont Environmental Council in Albemarle County on Sept. 16 on data centers.
The Winchester Star
(September 16, 2025)
As a former manager of what until recently was considered a large data center, I am not opposed to data centers. There are, however, legitimate concerns about the potential impact of data centers, if they are not mitigated.
This article mentions a presentation to be given by Piedmont Environmental Council Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse on Oct. 16, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley, 6380 Valley Pike, Stephens City.
Culpeper Star-Exponent
(September 30, 2025)
The 28th Annual Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour, held September 20-21, welcomed 2,077 attendees to explore the beauty and diversity of Culpeper County’s agricultural community. The event generated an estimated economic impact of $202,262, highlighting the significance of agriculture in the county’s economy and community life.
Fauquier Times
(October 1, 2025)
Farms in Fauquier County see more than $67 million a year in agricultural sales, according to the most recent census by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, conducted in 2022.
Fauquier Times
(October 1, 2025)
Kraig Smith’s grandfather was feeding the cows on the family’s beef farm up until the day he died. Smith, now 32, was in high school at the time of his grandfather’s death. He wanted to continue his family farm in Catlett, but his grandfather had never spoken with him about how to run the farm once it was in his hands.
The Piedmont Journal Recorder
(October 1, 2025)
A Greene County farmer who served in the military will join two fellow veterans on Thursday at the State Fair of Virginia in a celebration of agriculture and rural traditions. The trio will be honored in the inaugural Virginia Veteran Farmer Recognition awards ceremony on the main stage at the fairgrounds located in Doswell.
Loudoun Times-Mirror
(October 30, 2025)
Dominion Energy says it's not feasible to put its proposed Golden to Mars overhead transmission line underground. Loudoun Valley Estates residents still think it's the best option.
Loudoun Now
(October 2, 2025)
As the energy landscape across the country changes, the efforts to provide reliable, affordable and clean energy face significance challenges in lengthy permitting processes, industry leaders said during a Loudoun Chamber of Commerce forum Thursday morning.
Loudoun Now
(October 2, 2025)
Loudoun County’s Mountainside Overlay District places development restrictions on approximately 50,000 acres of steep slopes. Whether those regulations are too lax or or too restrictive is a main topic of conversation as county leaders work to revise rural land use policies.
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council Senior Land Use Representative Tia Earman.
Loudoun Times-Mirror
(October 1, 2025)
While the Purcellville Town Council has had a rocky relationship at council meetings throughout this year, there appeared to be a breakthrough at a second strategic session, according to council members Erin Rayner, Caleb Stought and Kevin Wright.
Loudoun Times-Mirror
(October 1, 2025)
Leesburg residents were skeptical of three new proposed data centers near Battlefield Parkway, Potomac Station Drive and VA 7 at a meeting with landowners and attorneys on Sept. 30.
Loudoun Now
(September 30, 2025)
A slightly smaller – although no less enthusiastic – crowd of residents gathered Monday night for the second of two local public hearings hosted by the State Corporation Commission on plans by Dominion Energy to build transmissions lines through residential neighborhoods and near schools. The showing of 650 people followed the Sept. 18 hearing when nearly 1,000 residents gathered at Rock Ridge High School for the first local hearing.
This article mentions The Piedmont Environmental Council.
Loudoun Now
(September 29, 2025)
Efforts to protect Loudoun’s historic resources were celebrated during the annual Loudoun County Preservation Awards program held Sept. 25 at the Birkby House in Leesburg. The Loudoun Preservation Society and the county’s Joint Architectural Review Board organized the joint event.
The Daily Progress
(September 30, 2025)
The Battle of the Wilderness rages on. An Orange County Circuit Court judge ruled Sept. 16 that a lawsuit opposing Wilderness Crossing — a proposed 2,600-acre development at the gateway to the Civil War battlefield — will proceed to court.
This article quotes Piedmont Environmental Council President Chris Miller.
Rappahannock News
(October 1, 2025)
The 16th annual Rappahannock County Farm Tour welcomed visitors from near and far last weekend, with 13 farms opening their gates for the self-guided event. Guests explored a wide range of experiences, from beekeeping and organic vegetables to horses, goats, cows, and chickens, while local artisans showcased their wares.
Rappahannock News
(September 30, 2025)
Rush River Commons’ second phase has hit headwinds in the Town of Washington, where the Planning Commission raised questions at its Monday meeting about processes, and more seriously, purpose for buildings proposed for 3.9 acres where Warren Avenue meets Lee Highway.
Rappahannock News
(September 26, 2025)
“Our friends are out walking their dogs on the River Trail and bumping into neighbors. It is becoming Sperryville’s front porch.” said Kerry Sutten, host of the event and former president of the alliance.
The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Krebser Fund for Rappahannock County Conservation helped fund the Sperryville Trail Study and Invasive Species Management Plan that will ensure the longevity of the Sperryville Trail, which provides safe public pedestrian access to the village through mostly private property.
ALX Now
(September 26, 2025)
Outgoing NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert received the prestigious Pugsley Medal earlier this month for his dedication to conservation, promotion and development of public parks.
Fluvanna Review
(October 1, 2025)
How will the plants impact local air quality? What will be the health impact for county residents? What are the impacts of withdrawing millions of gallons of water from the James River and discharging millions of gallons of heated water into the Rivanna? And why, they wondered, should rural Fluvanna bear the potential environmental costs of a plant that will primarily feed Virginia’s booming data center industry?
Fredericksburg Free Press
(September 29, 2025)
A new report shows that 819,000 visitors to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in 2024 spent $57.6 million in communities near the park, and that spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $78.1 million, the National Park Service announced Monday.
Cardinal News
(October 1, 2025)
Appalachian Power wants to reduce how much it charges customers for the fuel used to generate electricity, which would decrease the average residential monthly bill by about $10.
ABC 8 News
(September 30, 2025)
The populations of many birds found along Virginia’s coast and forests are declining, according to the 2025 State of the Birds Report for the United States. Birds are considered key indicators of the health of an ecosystem because they respond to changes in the environment, have critical functions in an ecosystem — like dispersing seeds and eating insects — and are relatively easy to observe.
Virginia Mercury
(September 30, 2025)
Last week, the Goochland County Planning Commission voted to create a proposed technology overlay district (TOD) and technology zone, with some recommendations. These areas of zoning would incentivise companies, like data centers, to build within them and clear the way for peaker gas plants and small modular reactors to be built in the district.
Cardinal News
(September 30, 2025)
The College of William & Mary Law School announced Monday it’s starting a Center for Energy Law & Policy — with Mark Christie, the former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as its director. The Center’s first major public activity will be a spring 2026 conference focused on how Virginia and the United States can meet the needs of both data centers and everyday consumers, the school said in a statement.
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily
(September 29, 2025)
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Federal Highway Administration have awarded grants to 12 trail projects through the Recreational Trails Program.
Virginia Mercury
(September 29, 2025)
The Chesapeake Bay Program’s land use and land cover change mapping project compares the landscape across three different snapshots in time, offering a detailed view of the watershed up to as recently as 2021. The research shows Virginia has lost nearly 50,000 acres of tree canopy in its portion of the watershed to development over just seven years.
ActionHub
(September 26, 2025)
Virginia in the fall is already a showstopper — bright leaves, crisp air, and that golden light that makes everything seem like a painting. But at this year’s OktoberForest event at Fine Creek Brewing in Powatan, the season started with a twist: beer brewed with ingredients straight from Virginia’s wild places. This unique Virginia event is part festival, part landscape-restoration showcase, and fully a reminder of how nature shapes everything we drink, eat, and experience!
ABC 8 News
(September 26, 2025)
“We spend a lot of time in conservation trying to understand and study the animals that we love, but what we need to keep in mind is that people’s behavior actually is the biggest determinant of whether or not we’re going to have conservation success,” Dayer said.
13 News Now
(September 25, 2025)
On a small 80-acre farm called Home Again Farm, goats are grazing on newly planted pasture where corn once grew. For farmer Rose Shenk, the shift wasn’t just about improving her operation; it was about protecting her land, her animals, and the Chesapeake Bay.
Royal Examiner
(October 1, 2025)
Once it was smokestacks. Then skyscrapers. Today, the defining structures of our era are mostly invisible from the highway: data centers. These sprawling, low-rise complexes are powering the digital age—and now, with the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, they’re igniting a building boom across the U.S.
The New York Times
(September 30, 2025)
On Friday morning, Susan Millar was readying her home in Madison, Wis., for an open house. But she wasn’t trying to sell it. Instead, Ms. Millar opened her doors to a dozen strangers curious to see her heat pump, solar panels, battery storage and electric induction stove. It was an early peek at one of more than 450 events taking place as part of “Sun Day,” a nationwide demonstration of solar power and renewable energy.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
(September 26, 2025)
Off of a dirt road near Tulia, Texas, a solar farm four times larger than New York City's Central Park soaks up the sun. Beneath its panels, more than 2,000 sheep and 11 dogs maintain the land. These four-legged employees are solar grazing, a practice of using livestock, typically sheep, as natural mowers. Vesper Energy, based in Dallas, unveiled the Hornet Solar project in April 2025 as one of the largest operations in the U.S. It is now hoping to also encourage the practice of solar grazing on a large scale.
AP News
(September 23, 2025)
OpenAI announced Tuesday that its flagship AI data center in Texas will be joined by five others around the U.S. as the ChatGPT maker aims to make good on the $500 billion infrastructure investment promoted by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Stargate, a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank, said it is building two more data center complexes in Texas, one in New Mexico, one in Ohio and another in a Midwest location it hasn’t yet disclosed. But it’s the project in Abilene, Texas, that promised to be the biggest of them all, transforming what the city’s mayor called an old railroad town.
