The Piedmont Environmental Council hosts advocacy campaigns on a variety of local, state and (sometimes) federal issues. We also let local residents know about planning processes and other opportunities to weigh in. Find out about these campaigns through email alerts and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). If you haven’t already signed up, you can sign up for email alerts today! We also have a resource to help you look up your elected officials.
Current Campaigns
Write to the Culpeper Board: Deny the Keyser Farm Data Center Campus
Keyser Farm is a data center campus rezoning proposal located just east of the Town of Culpeper at the corner of McDevitt Drive and Nalles Mill Rd. This is a highly speculative development proposed by Red Ace Capital Management. The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on this application (and likely vote) on Tuesday, July 2.
Take Action: Support Protections for Loudoun’s Prime Agricultural Soils
Loudoun County is considering adding new protections to its zoning ordinance to help preserve prime soils when residential housing clusters are built in western Loudoun. The Board of Supervisors will be voting on the amendment at its public hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 at the Loudoun County Government Center.
Tell DOE: No Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor
Action is urgently needed on a newly proposed and highly impactful federal transmission designation that would overstep state authority for transmission siting. Please submit comments to the Department of Energy and your representatives in Congress by June 24, 2024.
Take Action: Ask Congress to Support the AI Environmental Impacts Act
The U.S. is falling behind in regulating the data centers powering artificial intelligence. Ask Congress to support the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Environmental Impacts Act to protect our communities and our environment.
Take Action: Demand Accountability From Virginia’s Data Center Industry
Virginia is undergoing a massive economic, technological, and environmental transformation, all centered around the activities of one industry: data centers. Please use this letter to ask your elected officials in Virginia’s House and Senate for data center industry and utility reform during the 2024 General Assembly session and beyond.
Take Action: Equitable Access to Biscuit Run Park
The Piedmont Environmental Council is working with Albemarle County, Habitat for Humanity and other community partners to accelerate a new entrance to Biscuit Run Park near Hickory Street in Albemarle County, just outside Charlottesville. The bridge and trail, which will cross Biscuit Run on the park’s western side, will also eventually connect to Fifth Street Station and downtown Charlottesville. But, we need your help.
Write the Town of Culpeper: Copper Ridge Data Center Campus
Copper Ridge is a rezoning application that is currently being considered by the Town of Culpeper. If approved, this 116-acre site would be developed into a data center campus with eight two-story (up to 70 ft tall) data center buildings, totaling 2.36 million sq ft, with a 12-acre substation adjacent to the Culpeper National Cemetery and within 1,000 feet of Mountain Brook Estates and several homes on East Chandler Street.
Metal mining in Virginia risks public and environmental health
Gold mining historically occurred throughout Virginia in the gold-pyrite belt, including substantial operations across the PEC region in Orange, Culpeper and Fauquier counties. Now, half a century since metals were last mined commercially, the threat has resurfaced. PEC is currently working with a coalition of organizations to pass comprehensive statewide legislation at the Virginia General Assembly to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our communities.
Loudoun Petition: HOA Residents for Sustainable Landscaping
More than 60% of Loudoun residents are part of an HOA. Join with friends, neighbors and community members in showing support for sustainable landscaping practices at HOAs across Loudoun County.
Charlottesville/Albemarle Petition
This petition is a simple way to show elected officials in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville that residents want better, more connected, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.