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.

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aerial photo of big square building of a data center with an arrow pointing to the diesel generators on the side of the building. Data centers, homes and other buildings can be seen in the distance.

Proposed Increase to Data Center Diesel Generator Use

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently accepting comments on a proposed change that would allow data centers to run backup diesel generators during planned outage events. Until now, these generators could only …
The Fight to Stop Dominion's Attack on Small-Scale Solar - Webinar Recording

The Fight to Stop Dominion’s Attack on Small-Scale Solar – Webinar Recording

On October 21, Solar United Neighbors hosted a webinar on Dominion Energy’s proposal to severely limit net metering. PEC’s Senior Energy & Climate Policy Advisor, Ashish Kapoor, shared findings from our new Value of Solar …
Fauquier Fall Updates 2025

Fauquier Fall Updates 2025

We’ll touch on VDOT’s proposed I-66 bridge expansion at historic and iconic Thoroughfare Gap, the transition point into the rural Piedmont, at the beloved Chapman-Beverley Mill. Then, very impactful to all of us, we’ll talk about …
A substation being built next to the WO&D Trail. Photo by Hugh Kenny

Op-Ed: Protect Virginians from paying billions for data center infrastructure

Billions of dollars of new power generation and transmission infrastructure is needed to meet data center demand. As of now, all of Virginia’s ratepayers are on the hook to pay for this through their electric …
Loudoun County Fall Updates

Loudoun County Fall Updates

Read on for Loudoun updates on data center, agrivoltaics, transportation, rural zoning, and water issues, as well as opportunities to weigh in on important issues impacting your community!  …
The Value of Solar Report

The Value of Solar Report

Committed to advancing Virginia’s clean energy future, PEC commissioned Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors to study and calculate the actual value of distributed solar generation to every Virginian — factoring in the range of benefits …
Net Metering Fight, Value of Solar Report and PEC's Agrivoltaics Project

Net Metering Fight, Value of Solar Report and PEC’s Agrivoltaics Project

Read on to learn more about our recently completed, first-of-its-kind in Virginia, agrivoltaics project at PEC’s Community Farm; the results of a PEC-commissioned study on the true value of smaller-scale solar; our efforts to ensure …
How Agrivoltaics Can Help Solve Virginia's Energy Crisis

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 help them keep their land, produces clean energy where people actually want it, and gets …
Power and Produce: Virginia's First Crop-Based Agrivoltaics Project

Videos: Agrivoltaics Project at PEC’s Community Farm

Explore our video updates detailing the exciting progress of the Piedmont Environmental Council’s agrivoltaics project, where solar energy and sustainable agriculture meet …
Report Finds Solar Far Exceeds Value Communicated by Dominion

Report Finds Solar Far Exceeds Value Communicated by Dominion

PEC commissioned Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors to study and calculate the actual value of distributed solar generation in Dominion Energy’s territory …