Loudoun Climate Project

In a new strategy, energy storage could be used alongside a planned Loudoun County data center Data centers are becoming ubiquitous in Loudoun County. But one potential campus is suggesting something new: pairing its data center with energy storage.

Read more on the proposal and what it could mean for Loudoun’s energy future: www.loudountimes.com/0local-or-no...

#Loudoun #Energy #DataCenters #Policy

If Loudoun ties approvals to using renewables and careful siting, this project could be an exemplary model for balancing tech growth with sustainability. Real progress means storage powered by clean energy, not just more batteries #CleanEnergy #Loudoun

However, the site lies in Loudoun’s “Transition Policy Area,” where data centers aren’t permitted under the current comprehensive plan. That raises key questions about zoning consistency and policy alignment. #LoudounCounty #DataCenters

Loudoun County is reviewing a proposal to pair energy-storage batteries with a new data center. This strategy could be impactful if a good share of the power stored comes from renewables like solar, setting a stronger example for sustainable energy use. #Loudoun #RenewableEnergy

In a new strategy, energy storage could be used alongside a planned Loudoun County data center Data centers are becoming ubiquitous in Loudoun County. But one potential campus is suggesting something new: pairing its data center with energy storage.

Read more on the proposal and what it could mean for Loudoun’s energy future: www.loudountimes.com/0local-or-no...

If future approvals require renewable sourcing and responsible siting, this could set a positive precedent for cleaner tech growth. Otherwise, battery storage risks masking continued fossil dependence. #Sustainability #CleanEnergy

However, the site lies in Loudoun’s “Transition Policy Area,” where data centers aren’t permitted under the current comprehensive plan. That raises key questions about zoning consistency and policy alignment.

PEC Pilots Agrivoltaics Project at Aldie Community Farm A new project that combines solar energy with farming – touted as the first of its kind in Virginia – is being piloted by the Piedmont Environmental Council at its

Farming meets solar power in Virginia! The Piedmont Environmental Council is piloting the state’s first agrivoltaics project. Read more about it below! @loudounnow.org #LoudounCounty #Agrovoltaics #SolarPower

www.loudounnow.com/news/pec-pil...

Sunday Was Also Sun Day

Solar power isn’t just a “maybe someday” — it’s becoming a foundation for our clean energy future. This @nytimes.com piece dives into how “Sun Day” activists are pushing to make sunlight a stronger part of America’s energy mix.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/c...

#ClimateAction #Solar

“ChatGPT, why is my electric bill so high?”
Cartoon by Paul Noth @newyorker.com @paulnoth.bsky.social #datacenters #loudouncounty

YouTube video by More Perfect Union We Found the Hidden Cost of Data Centers. It's in Your Electric Bill

AI and cloud giants are driving your power costs—literally. This video breaks down who’s really footing the bill. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN6B...

Data Centers Need to Bring Own Power Supply, Grid Watchdog Says Data centers looking to connect to the largest US grid must bring their power supply, the system’s independent watchdog said.

Just weeks ago, the watchdog suggested that developers consider building their own plants. Now, it is recommending this requirement. The watchdog makes clear: responsible planning can no longer be delayed.
Read more at: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Data centers are straining aging infrastructure and driving up electricity costs. Virginia and Loudoun County sit at the center of this issue, but the consequences reach across all PJM states.

Monitoring Analytics, PJM’s market monitor, stated: “The current supply of capacity in PJM is not adequate to meet the demand from large data center loads and will not be adequate in the foreseeable future.”

The PJM grid, which stretches from Virginia to Illinois, serves 65 million customers. Virginia faces the most severe challenges, as it is home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world.

PJM’s independent watchdog has issued a dramatic warning: all future data centers in its 14-state region should be required to bring their own power supply. The grid is already maxed out and cannot support additional large-scale demand.

Speak up! Add your name to the public comment list for Tuesday’s vote: www.loudoun.gov/4853/About-B...
#LoudounCounty #DataCenters

This is not a done deal — the Board does not have to approve it. They can consider public input and land use priorities. Loudoun County needs more housing, not more data centers. But here’s how you can help: (3)

Why this matters:
Loudoun already has the world’s biggest concentration of data centers
The energy grid is overloaded — backup generators are running just to keep up. Neighbors worry about noise, diesel fumes & lost land for homes. Loudoun needs more housing, not just more data centers (2)

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is voting on Tuesday, July 15th, on whether to rezone 22 acres near Leesburg Executive Airport for up to 742,000 sq ft of new data centers or warehouses/industrial buildings. (1)

TODAY at 6PM — The Loudoun Board of Supervisors is voting on major proposals that could speed up data center expansion across the county.

Join virtually at www.loudoun.gov/meetings or in person. Speak up for our climate, health & communities.

More info:
loudoun.granicus.com/GeneratedAge...

Reminder: Join us tonight at 7pm for a webinar on the impacts of data centers in Pennsylvania and what that means for the rconomy, environment, & health! #PublicHealth #DataCenters

Is Pennsylvania ready for data centers? Learn about the impacts of large-scale data centers on our environment, economy & health.

Join us Wednesday, June 11 @ 7PM
RSVP: secure.everyaction.com/GDcIGj3yUES9...
#DataCenters #PublicHealth #ProtectPT

Celebrate our planet with us! Join us at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park this Saturday for Earth Day Loudoun.

Details here: www.loudoun.gov/6180/Earth-D...
#EarthDayLoudoun #Sustainability

Harvard & ELI’s latest report examines how private companies profit from public resources, highlighting policy gaps and potential reforms. A must read for policymakers and stakeholders!
#ClimateJustice #Sustainability
eelp.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/u...

The Dark Side of Data Centers Impacts of Loudoun’s Data Center Industry Loudoun is widely considered the “data center capital of the world”, hosting over 30 million currently operational data center square fee…

Only a handful of data center reform bills put forward passed into the Senate, and of these none passed the State Senate. But our advocacy together with the Data Center Reform Coalition, kept some bad legislation from passing.

Why? View our analysis on loudounclimate.org/data-centers/

The End of By-Right Data Centers Loudoun – Once in a while we have an occasion to reflect on the progress that Loudoun has made, and thank a few elected representatives, and today’s one such occasion.  On Tue…

Our latest blog explores the end of "by-right" data centers, meaning more oversight, more community input, and a shift in how these massive facilities get approved. What does this mean for energy use, the environment, and local policy? Read on: loudounclimate.org/2025/03/20/t...
#loudoun

Loudoun Proposes Changes to Get a Handle On Data Center Development – The Piedmont Environmental Council Dear Supporter:

Make your voice heard! If you can’t attend the rally or speak at the meeting, send your comments to bos@loudoun.gov. Your input matters! #DataCenters #LoudounCounty
For more information, visit www.pecva.org/region/loudo...

The Board’s plan would change where data centers can be built, eliminating by-right development & requiring Board review. This means:
- Clearer guidelines for developers
- Rejecting projects that harm residents’ quality of life
- More transparency with special exception reviews

Join us tomorrow! Rally ahead of the board vote on data center development guideline updates, and ending by-right development.
March 18 | 5:30 PM Rally | 6 PM Public Hearing
Loudoun County Gov’t Center, Leesburg, VA
Wear BLUE to show support!
#Loudoun #DataCenters #CommunityVoice