Citizens are simply not willing to acquiesce to the specter of data center threats: in our air quality and our watersheds, on hallowed ground, in neighborhoods, and next to schools.
We showed up at both DEQ hearings in Woodbridge. Whatever plan had been hatched behind closed doors has been thwarted…for now.
“…During the public hearings, the DEQ came under especially fierce criticism, given that a sign in the hearing room cited DEQ’s vision for the future as including “improved air quality.””
“As far as I can tell, your purview is not power delivery,” said Elena Schlossberg, director of the Coalition to Protect Prince William County.”
“Mike Dowd, director of the DEQ’s air and renewable energy division, said in a brief interview last week, “I do know that Dominion has had trouble meeting demand. That’s the origin.””
He declined to explain exactly how the idea for the variance came about, but said, “We are not energy planners.””
“The PEC’s (Chris) Miller said the variance was no substitute for a true demand response program, in which energy users cut back on their usage when the grid is in trouble. He added, “The most difficult issue is getting people to come to grips with the scale and the scope of the energy demands that data is putting on Virginia as a whole. That’s our recurring theme.””
READ PEC’s full press release here on our website.
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Our collective goal is to fire Chair Ann Wheeler on June 20th at the Democrat Primary! We know that the election of Bob Weir proved that Gainesville is Not for Sale. We need to send that same message county-wide on June 20th against Ann Wheeler. Send her packing!
Ann Wheeler’s destructive policies harm not only the residents who live near the data center blight, but even more shocking will harm all residents county-wide. Even with all this new knowledge: the threats to our grid, the lack of actual protected open space, the placement of data centers on top of hallowed ground, the CURRENT threats to the Occoquan Reservoir – Ann Wheeler still pushes destructive initiatives forward, impervious to the facts, just like the millions of sq. ft. of impervious concrete she wants to push throughout Prince William County.
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In contrast, volunteers for Deshundra Jefferson’s campaign will be practicing what we preach this Saturday morning, April 15, when we pitch in to clean up the Occoquan River.
Those who would like to participate should register by e-mailing Friends of the Occoquan at: foto@friendsoftheoccoquan.org (please copy wawright4@comcast.net) and provide:
- Location you will be working: Town of Occoquan – 314 Mill Street
- Time Slot: 9 AM
- First and last names of the volunteers coming with you
- Tell them you are representing The Committee to Elect Deshundra
- Your contact number and e-mail address
- If you need a community service letter, include your name and mailing address
Refreshments will be in a grab-and-go style and will include packaged snacks and bottled drinks.
Please wear sturdy shoes and proper attire for getting muddy.
In case of inclement weather please check the FOTO website (www.friendsoftheoccoquan.org) for updates.
The point of contact for questions is Julie Little at 703-491-2168.