Cascade February 2025

Cascade February 2025

Taking the Data Center Fight to the State Corporation Commission
By Tyler Ray
SaveBrenMar Coalition and President of the Bren Pointe Homeowners Association

Over two cold January days in Richmond, the fate of a community and the surrounding environment was being decided in an inconspicuous building on E. Main Street. The State Corporation Commission(SCC), which approves or denies applications for utilities, was holding an evidentiary hearing on the transmission line and 5-acre electrical substation proposed to serve a massive 466,000 data center project at the Plaza 500 site on the Fairfax County/Alexandria border. 
This project would be in the heart of the Bren Mar Community, directly next to a vulnerable stream valley, and feet from residents. The project would drastically transform the community for the worse, all so a single data center developer could make a profit.

Full Article
 
Oakton redevelopment offers opportunity for sustainable growth and a more walkable community
By Douglas Stewart
Great Falls Group Sierra Club Executive Committee member
 
The development firm EYA is proposing to redevelop the AT & T office park in Oakton with a mix of housing, stores, and a network of walkable, bike-able streets and trails. The Sierra Club supports smart and sustainable growth, with compact mixed-use communities near transit, and preservation of rural areas and natural resources. We have been following EYA’s redevelopment proposal and hope that it becomes an on-the-ground reality. 
Photo credit: 
The 33-acre AT & T office park is currently mostly vacant, and is located near I-66 and the Vienna Metro station, as well as being within walking distance of the Oakton commercial district. EYA is proposing to build 850 new homes, including more than 100 subsidized affordable units, as well as a grocery store, restaurants and other retail businesses. About 60 percent of the site would be designed as public open space.

Full Article
 
Data Centers Energy Efficiency proposed bill to Virginia General Assembly
By Ann Bennett
Data Center Lead, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter

With the acceleration of computing and cooling demands from Artificial Intelligence and other rapidly-changing technologies, data centers will require far more energy, exacerbating pressure on the grid. One data center can equal the power consumption of 50,000 homes.
Senate Bill 192 and House Bill 116 incentivize more energy efficient data centers by conditioning state tax credits on data center operators meeting high standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement, and on not using highly-polluting diesel fuel for backup power generation. Data centers would need to achieve power usage efficiency (PUE) scores of 1.2 or better, a rigorous but achievable score. Beginning in 2027, at least 90% of their energy would have to come from carbon-free renewable energy sources.

Full Article
 
Leesburg Rally: Support the Board of Supervisors' proposal to specify where new data centers are built and to require Board review 

WHEN: February 12, Wednesday, 5:00 pm Rally, 6:00 pm Public Hearing
WHERE: Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia 20175

In Loudoun County, home of the world’s largest concentration of data centers, data center companies and the Chamber of Commerce are making requests for exceptions to the Board of Supervisors’ intended by-right limits and the requirement for all applications to go through a special exception process. Rally to oppose proposed exceptions, attend the hearing, speak in person or remote by phone. Tell the Board:
  • Approve the initiative as you directed to staff, without exception.
  • Residents need better protections and more transparency in data center applications and the public process gives that opportunity. 
  • Data centers buildings and their energy infrastructure, transmission lines and substations are lowering property values in neighborhoods and industrializing communities.
  • Enough is enough, Loudoun is the data center capital of the world, it's passed time to put residents' quality of life first.
  • Continuing to approve data centers also means that residents' energy bills will go up to pay for required new infrastructure and energy transmission.
  • Data centers are using fossil fuels at a rate that conflicts with Virginia's clean economy goals.
  • Plans to use natural gas plants as a substitute for electricity have an untold impact on human health.  
Courtyard Rally Information:
  • We will gather in front of the County Government Center. 
  • Signs are encouraged!
  • Wear blue to the rally and hearing! We will have stickers for everyone to wear to show solidarity.

SPONSORS: Piedmont Environmental Coalition, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Sierra Club Great Falls Group, Loudoun Climate Project
CONTACT: gbignol@pecva.org

More Info

 

Write to these Loudoun County Board of Supervisors members with your concerns. 
"Phyllis Randall "<Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov>,  (Chair)
"Turner, Mike" <Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov>, (Vice-Chair)
"TeKrony, Laura" <Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov>,
"Saines, Koran" <Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov>,
"Briskman, Juli" <Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov>,
"Umstattd, Kristen" <Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov>,
"Glass, Sylvia" <Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov>,
"Matt Letourneau" <Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov>,
"Kershner, Caleb" <Caleb.Kershner@loudoun.gov> 

 
The Home Grown National Park: Creating Habitat in Our Own Yards
WHEN: Sunday, March 9, 12:30-3:00 PM
WHERE: Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
SPONSER: Climate Action Team at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church and Faith Alliance Climate Solutions

Join us at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church for an inspiring talk from Doug Tallamy, renowned entomologist and best-selling author of Nature’s Best Hope . Tallamy will share his compelling vision for The Homegrown National Park, a national challenge to create diverse ecosystems in our yards, communities, farms, and surrounding lands. Learn how reducing lawns and planting native trees, shrubs, and perennials can help repair the devastating loss of native species—all while adding beauty to your surroundings.

Spaces are limited—register today and be part of the movement to create habitats that nurture life!

 
Volunteering is good for the environment!

We have new opportunities for volunteers in the Sierra Club Great Falls Group. See nine ideas here to find some that are a fit for you. Local volunteering
for the environment helps you and your community by:
  • Cutting down on emissions by traveling close to home
  • Giving you a sense of belonging in your own community
  • Opening you socially to more people in your area
  • Supporting local projects and people
  • Teaching you more about your community and other ways to help
  • The personal connections you can gain from volunteering locally can open you up to a wide range of advantages. 

Not only will you make new friends but you’ll also be able to develop relationships in the long-term for as long as you live in the area. You learn more about what’s going on in your area, like events, groups and clubs, and more. 

See the opportunities

 
For the GFG weekly environmental events email, join the listserv here  and select subscribe (or unsubscribe).

Sierra Club Outings

The MeetUp group for Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. The group organizes hikes and other events in Virginia, DC and Maryland. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. SCPRO welcomes all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history. Join  SCPRO MeetUp here

 

​Ivy Main, Renewable Energy Chair for Sierra Club's Virginia Chapter
Power for the People Virginia

Recent posts from Ivy Main's blog on energy-related matters in Virginia.