A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Data centers
Call for State Action on Data Centers Gets Louder
During the 2024 General Assembly session, Virginia legislators failed to take action to address the concerns raised by residents and environmental groups about the proliferation of data centers.
Update on Data Center Development and Transmission Lines in Fauquier
Fauquier County is under incredible pressure from energy infrastructure facilities to serve data center growth in Northern Virginia and from data center development projects within its own borders. Here is information about the proposed data center developments, an update on the new transmission line threat and PEC’s recommendation going forward.
Sept. 5 in Leesburg: Public Hearing on Proposed Aspen-Golden Transmission Line
There is a critical chance to weigh in on the proposed “Aspen to Golden” electric transmission line through Loudoun County at the upcoming State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing on Sept. 5 in Leesburg.
Resources from the Bealeton Community Meeting on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – April 29, 2024
More than 70 people joined us on April 29 for a Community Meeting on Transmission Lines and Data Centers at Liberty High School. We were encouraged to see so many folks from the community invested in learning more about these important emerging issues.
Imperiled by Development, Wilderness Battlefield Named One of Nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Wilderness Battlefield, site of a pivotal clash that marked a turning point in the Civil War, was named one of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places due to the threat of a massive data center development that would irrevocably destroy the historic landscapes fundamental to maintaining the area as a vital educational resource and treasured hallowed ground.
April 10 Public Hearing: Prime Ag Soils, Belmont Data Center Rezoning
On Wednesday, April 10, 2024 the Loudoun Board of Supervisors will vote on the Prime Agricultural Soils and Cluster Subdivisions Ordinance Amendment and the Belmont Innovation Campus rezoning.
Quick Update: Things to Know in Culpeper
Spring is upon us! I am very excited to share a few upcoming opportunities to get involved locally, whether that’s to learn more about the deep history of Culpeper or to enjoy what a beautiful place it is.
Join Us for a Community Meeting in Charlottesville
The following text was sent out via email on January 24, 2023. Sign up for PEC email alerts →
Dear Supporter,
You might have heard some of the recent buzz about data centers and surging electricity demand. We invite you to attend a community meeting to talk about potential impacts on our community and on the state’s ability to meet its climate goals Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in Charlottesville, Va.
The explosive growth of this energy-intensive sector, the only growing sector of electricity demand in Virginia, is requiring historic expansions of our energy grid and will thwart our ability to get off of fossil fuels – all of which will likely be funded by Virginia ratepayers like yourself.
We’ll also share what we’ve learned about the potential for new transmission line projects proposed in our area, especially the proposed “wreck and rebuild” expanded transmission line through Albemarle and Charlottesville (mapped below), as well as new power generation – and prolongation of dirty legacy sources – to supply the projected demand.
This sweeping project will cross through and impact scores of community neighborhoods and schools from Gordonsville and Charlottesville to Crozet and Waynesboro, parcels of permanently conserved land, the Historic Southwest Mountains, the Historic Greenwood-Afton area, Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, several Albemarle County parks including McIntire and Darden Towe Parks, and the treasured views of the mountains throughout.
The unprecedented development proposed for our state will erase hard-won conservation and climate gains in Virginia, on top of the local impacts. We are working to develop solutions to this new challenge for Albemarle and beyond.
Space is limited, so please register in advance for this significant and timely conversation. I hope to see you there!
All the best,
Faith Schweikert
Communications & Policy Fellow
[email protected]
(434) 977-2033 x7026
Resources from the Charlottesville Community Meeting on Energy Infrastructure and Data Centers – Feb. 6, 2024
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, we hosted a community meeting on data centers and energy infrastructure in Charlottesville at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.