This webinar is an opportunity to learn about the resource requirements of the data center industry and the impact of our collective digital footprints.
Energy Matters
PEC works toward energy solutions that emphasize efficiency first, use appropriate technologies for the 21st Century and respect the scenic and historic character of the Piedmont.
Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition to kick off with Dec. 1 press conference
Nonprofit organizations, homeowners’ groups, and residents from all over Virginia have joined forces to form a coalition that is calling for industry-wide data center reform.
![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.
Cville Area Land Use Update: Week Ahead for November 20, 2023
Albemarle ARB to review AC44 goals; Council to get briefing on transit budget
![Resources from our Solar on the Farm workshop – November 14, 2023](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/solar-on-the-farm-workshop-ashish-kapoor-11-14-23-credit-hugh-kenny-pec-1200x-1024x536.webp)
Resources from our Solar on the Farm workshop – November 14, 2023
On November 14, 2023, PEC hosted a workshop called “Solar on the Farm: Improving Your Ag Operation with On-site Energy.”
![Resources from the Warrenton Town Hall on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Nov. 13, 2023](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/warrenton-town-hall-data-centers-transmission-lines-11-13-23-credit-marco-sanchez-02989-1200x-1024x536.webp)
Resources from the Warrenton Town Hall on Transmission Lines and Data Centers – Nov. 13, 2023
On Monday, November 13, 2023, a coalition of organizations including Citizens for Fauquier County, Protect Fauquier, Protect Catlett and The Piedmont Environmental Council held a community town hall about Transmission Lines and Data Centers.
![Breaking update on PEC’s VFOIA lawsuit against Orange County](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/banner_wilderness_crossing_orange_county_credit_hugh_kenny_pec10-of-15-1024x317.webp)
Breaking update on PEC’s VFOIA lawsuit against Orange County
Orange County officials signed NDAs with Amazon; court hearing deferred
![Piedmont Environmental Council sues Orange County for VFOIA violations](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/writ-of-mandamus-screenshot-jpg.webp)
Piedmont Environmental Council sues Orange County for VFOIA violations
In the interest of good governance and transparency, The Piedmont Environmental Council filed a lawsuit yesterday against Orange County for improperly denying public access to documents pertaining to a local rezoning application, in violation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The lawsuit comes after Orange County officials were unresponsive to PEC’s petition for a Writ of Mandamus, served on Oct. 26, which gave county officials a number of days to correct their VFOIA deficiencies. The lawsuit reflects PEC’s growing concern about the dramatic loss of public access to information about land use decisions in Orange County and across the Commonwealth.
![Transmission line update and community meeting invite](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/transmission-line-screenshot-Nov-9-23-1000x-jpg.webp)
Transmission line update and community meeting invite
In September, I wrote to you about the explosive growth of Virginia’s data center industry and one of the side effects: a major push for new transmission lines.
![Putting the Pieces Together on Digital Gateway](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/pw-digital-gateway-stitched-together-credit-Julie-Bolthouse-PEC-754x1024.webp)
Putting the Pieces Together on Digital Gateway
Since 2021, PEC has been supporting our partners’ heroic efforts to stop the largest data center campus in the world from being built on rural land next to Manassas National Battlefield Park, along Pageland Lane in Prince William County, Virginia.
The proposal, dubbed “Digital Gateway,” is massive and is projected to require around 3 gigawatts (GW) of energy. For context, that’s equivalent to the power used by 750,000 homes – roughly 5 times the number of households currently in Prince William County!