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 2020. The VCEA requires that Dominion Energy build 16.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind energy in the public interest by 2035 and operate with 100% renewable energy by 2045. Recent studies by the University of Virginia tell us we are well on our way. However, a history of poorly designed solar projects in Virginia have made it clear that utility-scale solar can have significant hidden costs if not done well.
Maps & Resources
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 Virginia Piedmont and the need for more solar energy capacity across the Commonwealth.
General Assembly Snapshot: 2025
The General Assembly convenes on Jan. 8 for a planned “short session” that runs through Feb. 22. PEC has co-authored several white papers that form the framework of the Virginia Conservation Network’s legislative priorities.
Conserving the Southern Shenandoah Borderlands
Looking out from the Moorman’s River Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, you’re treated to a breathtaking sweep of the forested, rolling foothills of the Piedmont. What’s not immediately apparent from this viewpoint is the fact that the majority of the land you see is privately owned.
2024 Photo Contest Winners
At PEC, we work to connect people to the landscapes and communities of Virginia’s Piedmont. The wonderful images that photographers submit to this contest help us tell important stories and allow folks to experience this beautiful place in exciting new ways
On The Ground Updates – December 2024
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Closing 2024: President’s Letter
At PEC, we value the power of community engagement, believing that local decisions matter and that informed and involved communities are vital to achieving positive and lasting outcomes. We serve as a catalyst and source of inspiration in the Virginia Piedmont by equipping people with the tools and information to do something that makes a tangible difference, whatever the issue.
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 and the historic and cultural resources is insufficient, and their recommendations don’t match the severity of the impact.
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 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2024 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
PEC Announces Annual Photo Contest Winners for 2024
The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the winners of its 2024 Annual Photo Contest.