A series of short land use and conservation updates from around the PEC region.
Strong Communities
PEC believes that the work of protecting natural resources and the work of building better communities are integral to each other.
![Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_substation_transmission_loudoun_county_august_2023_credit_hugh_kenny_PEC-16-1024x767.webp)
Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals
We must address the booming data center growth in our state that is requiring unprecedented expansions of our energy grid and hindering our ability to get off of fossil fuels.
![Quick Update: Things to Know in Culpeper](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_Culpeper_Credit_Hugh_Kenny9534-1024x683.webp)
Quick Update: Things to Know in Culpeper
Before we get to the end of the year, I want to give you a quick update on some issues we’ve been following in Culpeper.
![Albemarle County Community Surveys 1994-2023 Report](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/2000x_south_wings_edited_sanjay_suchak-5-1024x683.webp)
Albemarle County Community Surveys 1994-2023 Report
The results of our analysis further underscore the priority Albemarle County residents have overwhelmingly given to policies tied to the environment, preservation and smart growth for nearly 30 years.
![Prince William Board to Vote on World’s Largest Data Center Proposal Dec. 12](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/digital_gateway_pageland_lane_manassas_battlefield__prince_william_county_drone_credit_hugh_kenny-12-1024x478.webp)
Prince William Board to Vote on World’s Largest Data Center Proposal Dec. 12
Prince William County’s planning staff and the Planning Commission have recommended denial of the Digital Gateway rezonings.
![Ask Loudoun Supervisors to Adopt the New Zoning Ordinance!](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/hillsboro-gap-farmland-drone-loudoun-october-2021-credit-marco-sanchez-0595-_resized-1024x512.jpg)
Ask Loudoun Supervisors to Adopt the New Zoning Ordinance!
This upcoming Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed revisions it made to the Planning Commission’s draft Zoning Ordinance.
![Resources from the Hillsboro Town Hall on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Nov. 30, 2023](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/hillsboro-town-hall-data-centers-transmission-lines-11-30-23-credit-marco-sanchez-pec-03139-1200x-1024x536.webp)
Resources from the Hillsboro Town Hall on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Nov. 30, 2023
On Thursday, Nov. 30, PEC hosted more than 150 people in Hillsboro to discuss transmission line and data center proposals in Loudoun.
![Existing and Proposed Data Centers – A Web Map](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/existing-proposed-data-centers-map-screenshot-Dec-1-2023-jpg.webp)
Existing and Proposed Data Centers – A Web Map
How many data centers currently exist in Virginia? How many proposals are in the works? These are very good questions. It’s also extremely difficult to provide an answer, given there is no publicly available dataset or state-level tracking of these facilities. In response, The Piedmont Environmental Council has pulled together an online web map showing existing data center facilities (that we are aware of), along with pending data center proposals we have found on various town and county websites, as well as through various news outlets.
Cville Area Land Use Update: Week Ahead for November 27, 2023
City Council to review potential zoning map changes at final work session on Development code
![2023 Highlights: A Holistic Approach to Conservation](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_greene_county_mountains_fall_Hugh_Kenny-2-1024x683.webp)
2023 Highlights: A Holistic Approach to Conservation
PEC works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. The following highlights reflect our work in 2023.