Dear Coalition Supporters and Friends –
So much has been happening in the last two weeks. We wanted to share the big “stories” first and then tell you about the opportunities for YOU to participate and make a difference. Remember, Democracy is not a spectator sport.
RECAP as follows-
“By-Right” zoning in the Data Center Overlay is now on limited life support.
The Data Center Overlay was adopted in 2016 to address the permissive zoning that allowed Data Centers to go EVERYWHERE,”by right” except rural and residential zoning, with little to no oversight. That initial effort to provide some guardrails was always a first step, not the final step.
Fast forward to the September 22nd afternoon Board meeting. The discussion and vote on the dais to end “by right” in the DATA CENTER overlay took a few twists and turns, with residents showing up countywide to express their frustration with their quality of life being impacted. Ultimately “by right” will cease to exist on December 22nd, when the 90 day “hurry and rush to get your site plans in” grace period will end.
County moves to end by-right data center development | Localnews | princewilliamtimes.com
Prior to voting on a resolution with a 90-day grace period, a vote to have it take effect immediately failed.
Only Stewart, Supervisor Tom Gordy, R-Brentsville, and Supervisor Kenny Boddye, D-Occoquan, voted in favor of eliminating a grace period.
Supervisor Victor Angry, D-Neabsco, said he would have preferred an 180-day grace period.
Earlier, Stewart had underscored his preference for a zero-day grace period to avoid an alleged “gold rush” of data center proposals within the 90-day timeframe – on which multiple residents voiced apprehension Tuesday.
Stewart initiated a substitute motion for no grace period, which failed 3-5 – with the five votes in opposition cast by Jefferson, Coles Supervisor Yesli Vega, Potomac Supervisor Andrea Bailey, Neabsco Supervisor Victor Angry and Woodbridge Supervisor Jeannie LaCroix.
Then, a mere few hours later, the Board of Supervisors brings the hammer down on the very infrastructure needed to bring power to data centers in Prince William County and BEYOND.
With the unanimous denial of the Vint Hill Substation in the evening session of September 22nd, it appears as though the Board of Supervisors finally connected their votes approving data center development to the energy infrastructure THEIR votes are triggering. It is so critical to understand: these substations/switching stations are the hubs needed to plug in the many transmission lines taking the homes and property of Virginians to feed the insatiable appetite of the data center industry.
Prince William board votes down Dominion’s switching station | Prince William | insidenova.com
ALERT: Supervisors block $300M Vint Hill electrical station | Localnews | princewilliamtimes.com
*************************************************************
NOW on to the actions YOU can take to make a difference.
The solution is NOT to destroy our homes, our property, our wildlife, our tranquil quality of life, our clean air and clean water, all the while watching our electric bills skyrocket.
IT IS TIME to E
EXERCISE the word NO. NO MORE electrical connections until we know there is a plan to make sure PEOPLE come before profits.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA: NextEra is promising more data center growth in Virginia. Now it wants to take over Dominion Energy.
This Friday, the people deciding whether that deal moves forward are coming to Fairfax, and Northern Virginians have a chance to speak directly to them.
Fairfax County Government Center
Friday, Oct. 9
5 PM: Rally + press event
6–8 PM: SCC public hearing
More data centers mean more demand for electricity, more transmission lines cutting through communities, more pressure to build new power plants, and bigger questions about who gets stuck paying for it.
Come tell the SCC what you think about the NextEra/Dominion acquisition. Not comfortable speaking? That’s okay. Show up, wear orange, and help us pack the room.
Northern Virginia is already living with the impacts of Virginia’s data center boom. This is a decision we’ll live with for decades.
WEAR ORANGE. BRING A FRIEND. SHOW UP.
NOW on to dealing with the CORE issue of our backlash, the Data Center Industry itself.
MARCH FOR A MORATORIUM – CULPEPER
October 11 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
March for a Moratorium – Culpeper – The Piedmont Environmental Council
Culpeper LOVE Sign 111 Commerce Street, Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper, Rappahannock & Orange County residents: We hope you’ll join PEC, Coalition to Save Culpeper, and Richardsville Coalition to Block Valley Link for the Culpeper stop on Virginia’s March for a Moratorium tour!
AND …
MARCH FOR A MORATORIUM – LEESBURG
October 17 @ 1:00 pm
March for a Moratorium – Leesburg – The Piedmont Environmental Council
Loudoun County Courthouse 18 Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia
As part of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund’s two-week March for a Moratorium taking place throughout Virginia in October, PEC is hosting an event in Leesburg Saturday
Amid Connections to Ongoing Election Scandals, NextEra Pours Millions into Florida’s 2022 Election Cycle – Energy and Policy Institute
PJM faces 2030 reliability crisis if data center load growth continues: report | Utility Dive
Bubbling Up What did the Occoquan Model Find Beneath the Surface
UPDATE: Improper redaction reveals Lincoln’s Google Data Center water and electricity usage
Data centers drive 76% surge in PJM power prices – E&E News by POLITICO
——————
DATA CENTER MORATORIUM NOW!
–> NOTE: We have NEW yard signs:
As well as many other different yard signs and t-shirts advocating to protect our communities. Order one today, and start spreading the word to your neighbors!
Please make a donation to help with our on-going activities.