PEC is working to support an energy system that is smarter, more efficient and better accounts for the negative externalities arising from the choices we make about energy consumption, generation, transmission and distribution.
We are advocating for a more distributed system that is less reliant on distant generating sources and incorporates a mix of local renewable power — customer owned, community based and utility scale. Recognizing Virginia is in the early stages of its energy transition, we believe now is the time to reimagine and rebuild our energy system in a way that is just and fair to all residents and ratepayers.
Data Centers in Virginia
Use our Resident Report Form to report data center diesel generator noise and pollution. Virginia is undergoing a massive economic, …
How Agrivoltaics Can Help Solve Virginia’s Energy Crisis
Virginia needs energy solutions that work with communities, not against them. Agrivoltaics does exactly that—it gives farmers additional revenue to …
In the Driver’s Seat on Parking Lot Solar
Since Virginia is still at the beginning of its energy transition, now is the perfect time to rebuild our energy …
SCC Decision Keeps Net Metering Structure Unchanged
Dominion petitioned the SCC last year to decrease the rate of return for energy produced by solar customers in excess of what they use. After reviewing the case, the SCC issued a decision earlier this …
Expanded Transmission Line Planned for Southwest Mountains
This text was taken from an email alert sent out on May 12 2026. Sign up for email alerts → The existing single-circuit transmission line through Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District will be rebuilt as a …
New Study Highlights Public Health Impacts of Gas Turbine-Powered Data Centers
As data centers requiring more and more power continue to flood our region, we are seeing a concerning new trend: data center proposals that include onsite natural gas turbines to use as their main power source, as …
Meaningful clean energy legislation passed in 2026
We are pleased to share the great news that 12 solution-oriented energy bills PEC either authored, informed, or advocated for in the General Assembly were signed into law (pending two minor amendments) by Gov. Spanberger! …
Piedmont Environmental Council Statement on the Potomac River Being Named the Most Threatened River in America
This week, American Rivers released its 2026 list of most endangered rivers, and the Potomac River leads the list, due in large part to uncontrolled data center growth throughout the watershed …
In Major Win, Massive ‘Digital Gateway’ Data Center Project Has Been Halted
On March 31, the Virginia Court of Appeals issued a unanimous ruling that effectively halts the controversial “Digital Gateway” project proposed in Prince William County, barring an appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court …
Tell Culpeper Officials to Hold Their Ground: No Bending the Rules for Reckless Development
The Town of Culpeper is once again trying to fast-track data centers with a new code amendment, and the Maroon Solar utility-scale solar project is headed to a Board of Supervisors vote on April 7 …
Spring Orange County Updates
The Piedmont Environmental Council’s updates on the Valley Link transmission line, the Town of Orange’s data center changes, data center lawsuit updates, and an April 10 conservation event. Get updates at pecva.org/signup …
Join Us for a Q&A on Our New Vantage Data Center Air Quality Study
I’m writing to share a data center air quality study we recently commissioned that showed some alarming results, and to invite you to an event in Loudoun on Thursday, April 9 to learn more about …
PEC statement on Prince William Digital Gateway latest legal win
The recent ruling by the Virginia Court of Appeals against the Prince William Digital Gateway, in favor of the citizen-backed lawsuits attempting to block it, is another example of the growing grassroots power of Virginians …
