PEC urges Virginia data center moratorium

The Piedmont Environmental Council has called on Virginia leaders to declare a moratorium on data center grid connections, new transmission lines, onsite gas facilities and backup generators, and new water withdrawals.

• The email says the group and its partners in the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition have long sought a pause so the state can plan before more data center contracts lock in costs and risks.
• It frames the request as a response to expected action from Governor Spanberger and outlines six issues: energy costs, grid reliability, air quality, potable water, mitigating energy impacts, and protection of communities; it also cites Dominion Energy opposition to oversight legislation.
• This is an advocacy email/commentary referencing an earlier published Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed, not a new policy announcement by a government entity.