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.
Transmission
The Piedmont Environmental Council has some experience dealing with Dominion and transmission line proposals through our region. In 2006 and 2008, utilities proposed two unnecessary high-voltage transmission lines that would connect to the oldest and dirtiest coal-fired generation in the United States. Learn more about the TrAIL line (approved and built) and the PATH line (turned down). More recently, a series of projects has been proposed, each with its own set of details and impacts.
Dominion Energy Integrated Resource Plan projects historic rate increases for Virginia ratepayers while subsidizing the world’s wealthiest companies
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) filed by Dominion
Energy with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC”) this week projects a more than 100
percent increase in electricity usage in the next 15 years, primarily driven by the explosive and
uncontrolled growth of 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.
Wilderness Lost?
Industrialization marches into Orange County, threatening historic battlefield and landscapes along Route 3.
Update on Data Centers in Culpeper and Invite to Upcoming Rooftop Solar Lecture
I’m writing today to share some good news, some hopeful developments in our continued fight against the relentless industrialization of Culpeper by the data center industry, and an invitation to our ongoing lecture series at the Culpeper County Library.
Resources from the Loudoun Community Meeting on Transmission Lines – June 11, 2024
More than 200 people joined us on June 11 for our Community Meeting on Transmission Lines at Heritage High School to learn about transmission line proliferation in Loudoun County resulting from the data center explosion.
Action Needed: New transmission line designation threatens Virginia communities
Tell the U.S. Department of Energy that fueling skyrocketing data center energy demand with coal-fired power plants is not an acceptable solution.
Tell DOE: No Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor
Action is needed by June 24, 2024, on a newly proposed and highly impactful federal transmission designation that would overstep state authority for transmission siting.