July Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

We at Rural Virginia Coalition (RVC) have been hard at work to stop big infrastructure projects that threaten our rural way of life and most vital resources. From farm swap tables to local news stations, our volunteers have been spreading the word to friends, family, and neighbors that our land is under attack by big corporations. We are continuing to gather supporters and concerned Virginians who want to amplify their voices at the local, state, and federal levels. We know that many counties are facing data centers and new power plants in their front yards, back yards, and everywhere in-between. We also know that the electrical infrastructure projects being pushed right now, most notably the Valley Link South Project, are the bloodlines for these data centers. Our focus has been squarely on the Valley Link South Project, however, we want to use this opportunity to highlight efforts that oppose data centers and the energy sources that feed them wherever they may be found in the Commonwealth. Our hope is that we can all support each other as we are able and become stronger together. 

*Update on County Efforts

Campbell - Heads Up! Campbell BOS is discussing a proposed Zoning District that will likely have an impact on the Valley Link Project. July 7th Agenda: https://www.co.campbell.va.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072026-707. See meeting details below. For more information on AEP's SMR project at Joshua Falls see https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/who-were-working-with/pre-application-activities/apco-joshua-falls  

Appomattox - 

Prince Edward - 

Amherst - 

Buckingham - BOS Petition now has over 725 signatures! RVC Buckingham is looking for the BOS to address the remainder of the action items in the Petition. Until then, RVC is continuing to collect signatures to send to the Board weekly. At the last Planning Commission (PC) meeting, more time was given for the public to look over the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment and provide feedback and public comment. Notable dates are listed below. Buckingham outreach team will also be busy with a new letter campaign starting this month.

Cumberland - On Friday, June 26th, Cumberland County received a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application for a gas-fired power plant. If approved, this will be the second largest such plant on the East Coast. It will sit on the county line between Cumberland and Buckingham. It will be in very close proximity to the planned Valley Link transmission lines and will significantly change the lives of people in our region. Citizens can call, email, or write to district Supervisors and planning commissioners to express concerns and attend the upcoming Board of Zoning Appeals listed below.

Fluvanna - 

Louisa - Big things in Louisa including a media campaign, red ribbon campaign (attached flyer), and looking-to-be a very informative community meeting (attached flyer). If a zoom link is provided we will pass it along.

Goochland - 

Orange - 

Culpeper - Outreach efforts are ongoing in Culpeper with tables at CulpeperFest and the Richardsville Volunteer Fire Company Car Show. Richardsville Coalition is in the process of launching their website (www.richardsvillecoalition.org) to serve as a central resource for Culpeper project information, meeting videos, documents, and educational materials. They have continued encouraging public participation at Board meetings. They are developing educational resources and FAQs explaining the project, the regulatory process, and potential local impacts. 

*Notable Local Government Meetings 

• Tuesday July 7th 6:00 PM Campbell County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Haberer Building, Multi-Use Room, 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, VA 24588

• Monday July 13th 6:00-7:30 PM Buckingham County Board of Supervisors Meeting 13380 West James Anderson Highway, Buckingham (Public Comment sign-up from 5:30-5:55 PM) 

• Monday July 20th 6:30 PM Cumberland Planning Commission Meeting Hearing on Dominion Energy's Conditional Use Permit for the proposed 3,000 megawatt gas-fired power plant. Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Circle, Cumberland

• Monday July 27th 6:00-7:30 PM Buckingham County Planning Commission Meeting 13380 West James Anderson Highway, Buckingham (Hearing on potential Comprehensive Plan Amendment addressing high voltage transmission lines)

*Community Meetings

• Buckingham: Saturday, July 11th 3:30-5:00p at Virginia Cooperative Extension/Ag Building (54 Administration Lane, Buckingham)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86964403852?pwd=OqkiEwSrZn4VJOfda4ILULZtK2r8om.1

Meeting ID: 869 6440 3852

Passcode: 996528

• Louisa: Tuesday, July 28th 6:00p at Moss-Nuckols Elementary School (2055 Courthouse Rd., Louisa)

*Fundraiser Events

• RVC - Sunday July 12th 1:00-5:00 PM Patch Brewery RVC Fundraising & Outreach event (10271 Gordon Ave. Gordonsville)

• RVC - Sunday July 19th (Time TBD) Three Notch'd Brewery RVC Fundraising & Outreach event (520 2nd St. SE IX Art Park in Charlottesville)

*Outreach Events

• RVC - Saturday July 4th 9:00 AM. Scottsville 4th of July Parade

• RVC - TBD 'This Land is Our Land' Letter Campaign

Media Campaigns

• So excited to see these videos EVERYWHERE! Please keep the truth train rolling by going to: https://www.blockvalleylink.org/adcampaign 

Some Newsworthy News

• https://www.29news.com/2026/06/10/valley-link-hold-another-open-house-transmission-line-project-amid-community-pushback/ 

• https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/06/22/campbell-county-residents-concerned-about-valley-link-project/

• https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/from-tech-glitches-to-unanswered-emails-residents-cite-communication-gaps-in-valley-link-transmission-line-project/

• https://ehsciences.org/major-wins-for-childrens-health-u-s-school-districts-are-opposing-high-voltage-power-lines-the-49ers-may-relocate-away-from-the-substation/ 

• If you haven't already checked out the latest...https://www.blockvalleylink.org/blog 

Mark your calendars, folks! Hope to see you soon.

If you would like to help RVC efforts, below is a list of items our volunteers would greatly appreciate:

-rolls of stamps

-2 cash lock boxes

-tent for tabling

-file folders

-copy paper

-shipping labels

*If your County or group does not have updates but you'd like to see one in the next newsletter, please feel free to provide those details by the 24th of each month. Similarly, if you see any typos in this newsletter, good eye! Please let us know if you would like to help edit future newsletters. Communications regarding this newsletter and updates should be sent to info@imteamhuman.org. 

_______________________________________________________________

A word from RVC President, Amy Crawford:

"Rural Virginia isn’t just some place on a map. It’s a network of resilient and tight-knit communities where people know and mutually support their neighbors. It’s family farms that have been passed down for generations. It’s forests, wetlands, and waterways that nourish life. It’s unrivaled peace and beauty.

Our rural communities and way of life are being threatened and attacked by enormous energy infrastructure projects that don’t benefit us. At Rural Virginia Coalition, we believe that those who live on the land should have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect it. We believe progress must respect communities, property rights, and the natural resources that make Virginia special. And we believe that when neighbors unite around a shared goal, our voices and our efforts DO make a difference.

Our legacy is not something that happens to us. It’s something we create together."

_______________________________________________________________

In solidarity,

Rural Virginia Coalition