Conserved public spaces have measurable impacts on our lives: research shows that spending time outdoors improves both physical and mental health, and can even improve students’ grades, lower blood pressure and drive economic growth. If you enjoy outdoor adventures like I do, lace up your boots and come with me as we explore a couple of these new parks that opened in 2024, as well as one potential future park.
Maps & Resources
More Than Vegetables at the Community Farm
When a PEC staff member recently posed the question “what does the farm mean to people beyond just donating to food pantries?” I remembered my first farming experience, when I discovered that farms are so much more than the food they grow.
On the Ground Updates – March 2025
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock
President’s Letter: Hope Springs Eternal
After a hard winter, with measurable snow cover for over a month, damaging wind storms, inevitable frustrations with a closely divided General Assembly, and unprecedented presidential actions disrupting federal conservation, environmental, and energy policy, I look for signs of hope this spring.
Virginia citizens and businesses have opportunity to weigh in with the SCC on data centers and the long term impact on their energy costs
The General Assembly failed to pass meaningful data center reform, despite the introduction of bi-partisan bills to rein in data center impacts and protect Virginia ratepayers from increased energy costs. Now, all eyes are on the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), a state agency that has regulatory jurisdiction over our utilities.
The 2025 General Assembly Again Fails to Take Meaningful Action on the Accelerating Impact of Data Centers on Virginians
The General Assembly chose to avoid addressing the mounting financial and environmental risks and costs to all Virginians. It’s not clear why. But what is clear is that Dominion Energy and the five largest and richest companies in the world have opposed data center reform and they have immense resources to support their position.
Mobility Summit galvanizes community for better walking, biking and outdoor access; unofficially launches Three Notched Trail plan
Area residents, organizations and leaders who want better places to walk, bike and run are coming together at the Fifth Annual Charlottesville/Albemarle Active Mobility Summit Thursday, Mar. 6 (5:30–8 p.m.) and Friday, Mar. 7 (9 a.m.–12 p.m. ) at The Wool Factory.
Statement from Chris Miller, president, Piedmont Environmental Council
The General Assembly has the duty to pass legislation to protect Virginia Citizens from paying billions for data center infrastructure costs.
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.
2024 Highlights: By the Numbers
PEC’s dedicated staff work relentlessly to advance land conservation, sound land use planning, the protection of natural resources and better climate and energy policy.