Energy Matters

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.

No posts found.
General Assembly has opportunity to create a Smarter Digital Future for Virginia

General Assembly has opportunity to create a Smarter Digital Future for Virginia

Several pieces of legislation have been introduced to reform data center development and protect Virginia ratepayers …
data center in Loudoun with transmission line

Four Pillars of Data Center Reform

Without strong regulatory and legislative intervention, the risks and costs of the immense infrastructure supporting data centers is destined to be passed on to all ratepayers, including other businesses and residents …
aerial image of downtown Culpeper in the evening

Culpeper Co.: December 2024 Updates

This year, we made a concerted effort to better inform the Culpeper community about local events. We have some good news to shhare with you about decisions that were only achieved through strong community engagement …
A black cow grazes in front of rows of solar panels.

Better Solar through HB206

A transition to renewable energy is imperative for our planet, and the good news is that Virginia has taken a major step in that direction with the ambitious Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) passed in …
Shining a Light on Agrivoltaics at Roundabout Meadows

Shining a Light on Agrivoltaics at Roundabout Meadows

This spring, the Piedmont Environmental Council will unveil a project at our Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows with the potential to revolutionize the relationship between the agricultural lands that make up the heart of the …
Commission Study Confirms that Energy Demand is Out of Control, Threatening The Community with Higher Costs and Impacts Across the State and Beyond

Commission Study Confirms that Energy Demand is Out of Control, Threatening The Community with Higher Costs and Impacts Across the State and Beyond

We applaud the commission’s work over the past year to assess the scope of economic, energy, and environmental impacts due to explosive data center growth. But their analysis of the impact on communities, the environment …
| | Data Centers, Press Center
A substation being built next to the WO&D Trail. Photo by Hugh Kenny

Commentary: Dominion, data centers are fleecing ratepayers

PEC President, Chris Miller, recently wrote an op-ed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about the energy “crisis by contract” created by Dominion Energy and the data center industry …
| | Amazon, Data Centers, Data centers, Dominion
Thumbnail image with a drone photo of Wilderness Battlefield split down the middle by a drone photo of a data center under construction. Text across the center of the image reads "Parks & Battlefields at Risk."

Video: Virginia’s Parks and Battlefields are at Risk

Virginia’s state and national parks, battlefields, and other historic and recreational sites are under threat from uncontrolled data center development. One notable example is Wilderness Battlefield, in Orange County, which was named one of America’s …