Cascade March 2025

Fairfax City Green Building Policy
By Pradeep Chilka & Douglas Stewart

Fairfax City is developing a new green building policy that will establish standards and incentives for new public and private construction and major renovations. The green building policy will help the city preserve and enhance the city’s natural resources and environment; reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and increase clean energy; and increase social, health, and economic benefits for the community.

If you live in Fairfax City, let the Mayor and Council know that you support adopting the new green building policy and getting to work right away on incorporating it in the City’s development plans. Email MayorandCouncil@fairfaxva.gov . The time for the City to act is now.

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Data Center Alley Updates
By Natalie Pien
Executive Committee member, Sierra Club Great Falls Group; Board of Directors Piedmont Environmental Council; Board of Directors Chesapeake Climate Action Network

As previously reported, Loudoun County is home to “Data Center Alley,” the largest concentration of data centers in the world. In terms of energy, Data Center Alley consumes nearly 1.5 times that of Beijing, the next largest market, and exceeds the combined total of the next four largest international markets. Data Center Alley has impacted and will continue to impact property values and power in Loudoun County

Over one year ago, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) realized that Data Center Development business as usual had to change. The photos show data center development just east of Leesburg. The wooded image is from Google Maps 2025 and the other images were taken on 2/21/25 while riding in a car on the ramp from the Rt 7 to Belmont Ridge Rd. Fencing is erected to prevent seeing the data center site under development. One data center building is erected. The African American Burial Ground, Loudoun Freedom Center is on the other side of Belmont Ridge Rd.

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The completed data center
Photo credit: Natalie Pien

Photo credit: Google Maps 2025 image.

Overlooking the construction site, one completed data center in the distance.
Photo credit: Natalie Pien

On March 18, the BOS will vote on Phase 1. It is imperative that Phase 1 is adopted without any changes to weaken it. No loopholes. No grandfathering. Stay tuned for a call to action for March 18 in Leesburg at the Government Center.

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.

Facing data center sprawl and an energy crisis, Virginia legislators leap into action. Nah, just kidding.

Cascade March 2025

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