PEC updates on regional data center and infrastructure issues

PEC provides a multi-county update on land use, transmission, data centers, energy and water infrastructure actions across Virginia.

• Main action: PEC is reporting on county-level planning and advocacy, including the adoption of Albemarle Comprehensive Plan (AC44) effective Jan. 1, 2026, engagement on two proposed 230 kilovolt transmission rebuilds (Dooms→Charlottesville and Charlottesville→Gordonsville), monitoring multiple data center approvals and applications (e.g., Culpeper Technology Campus, Copper Ridge, Edgecore, Keyser Farm, Equinix expansions), and intervening in the Dominion Energy net metering State Corporation Commission case (decision due May 1, 2026).
• Background and other details: PEC lists specific hearings and timelines: Clarke public input sessions on the Rural Lands Plan (April 6 and April 9); Maroon Solar conditional use brought to Culpeper Board of Supervisors (April 7); Warrenton/Circuit Court oral arguments on vested rights (June 15); I-66 Broad Run bridge advertised for bid fall 2026; FirstEnergy plans SCC submission for Page–Sperryville upgrade in summer 2026; PJM withdrew a proposed 1.2 gigawatt gas plant in Jan 2026. The update documents drought impacts (9.5 inch annual deficit in Clarke, <60% precipitation in nine regions since Oct. 1, 2025) and local code changes (e.g., Rappahannock substation special exception requirement).