Piedmont Environmental Council calls for Virginia data center moratorium
The Piedmont Environmental Council is urging Virginia leaders to implement a moratorium on data center development, citing concerns over water supplies, air quality, and residents' quality of life. The council is actively campaigning and planning a march in Richmond to advocate for this statewide pause, aiming to allow time for the state to establish better protections.
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is calling on Virginia's leaders to enact a moratorium on data center development across the state. Chris Miller, president of the PEC, stated the appeal is directed at the Governor, General Assembly, State Corporation Commission, various regulatory agencies, and local governments, emphasizing the need for time to implement safeguards for residents and natural resources.
Miller highlighted that the PEC previously floated the idea of a pause during a General Assembly session in November, hoping that increasing awareness of threats to water supplies and air quality would prompt leadership to act. He noted an unprecedented level of public concern over the issue, affecting current and future generations' quality of life.
The PEC plans to organize a march in Richmond on October 24 to further pressure state and local officials to seriously consider their call for a moratorium.