Virginia hosts Data Center Reform Lobby Day on Feb 9, 2026

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) and the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition are hosting a statewide Data Center Reform Lobby Day on Feb 9, 2026 in Richmond to press the Virginia General Assembly for legislation addressing data center impacts.

• Event details & primary action:Data Center Reform Lobby Day on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m., kick-off at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 East Grace Street, Richmond, VA; agenda items include meetings with legislators, morning press conference, keynote speeches, breakfast and lunch, bus transportation from Gainesville (depart 5:30 a.m., return ~4:30 p.m.), and online training sessions on Feb. 3 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.; registration via Eventbrite.
• Background, evidence & policy asks: PEC notes Dominion Energy projects peak capacity needs will more than double by 2038, warns residential energy bills could more than double by 2035, and cites a $1.6 billion state sales tax exemption for data centers in 2025; PEC asks lawmakers to pause hyperscale approvals, require statewide reporting on energy/water/emissions, mandate air quality studies for cumulative generator impacts, and advance state oversight and coordinated planning (including SCC review of interconnection).