SWVA Watch

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A collaborative effort of five local and regional environmental justice organizations.

A page to inform the public and call for open and transparent government to serve the people and not the exploitation by private and quasi-governmental entities.

10/13/2026

"Some who sit on economic development boards and committees still do not seem to understand why people are angry. **LINK IN THE COMMENTS**

People are tired of being asked to pay for projects that mostly benefit people who are already rich. We are tired of seeing public money, public land, public water, public infrastructure, and public power capacity treated like resources corporations are entitled to claim.

Then we are told it is economic development."
Wise County Virginia Government

10/08/2026

We need a moratorium now!

10/05/2026

LINK IN THE COMMENTS: This is what we have to look forward to in Southwest Virginia counties if our state and local government forces us down the data center rabbit hole.

09/28/2026

To learn more about solar energy in SWVA, join the community discussion on Thursday, October 1st, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Mountain Empire Community College.

SWVA Watch supports solar energy instead of dangerous nuclear energy and gas and diesel fuels that pollute our air and water and create harmful health conditions. The link to our Solar Statement is in the comments.

Note: SWVA Watch Statement on Solar Is In The Comments

09/23/2026

Our neighbors need our support! Join the rally in Lebanon on October 3rd show solidarity in the fight to stop Community exploitation for these data centers!

09/15/2026

Important community input deadline September 18th! Survey Link in the comments!

The people have spoken. Respondents to the 1st microreactor survey said what issues they wanted to talk about: safety, environmental impacts, public health, trust, transparency, public participation, and tangible local benefits.

This survey is your opportunity tell them exactly what your concerns are and what you want done about them.

Deadline this Friday September 18th! Don't miss the chance to have your voice heard!

09/12/2026

Scott County to decide on zoning for data centers.
Public Hearing:

Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, Community Services Building 2nd Floor, 190 Beech Street, Suite 201, Gate City, Virginia 24251.

09/08/2026

LINK IN THE COMMENTS: Russell County is now being planned as a data center site by Oasis Digital Properties on the former Moss 3 coal mine site that the folks in the County defeated as a landfill site.

09/04/2026

Apparently, those who responded to the 1st Microreactor Feasibility survey were heard loud and clear. This 2nd survey probes the issues and concerns people expressed primarily in the open-ended questions: safety, environmental impacts, public health, trust, transparency, public participation, and tangible local benefits.

The link to the 2nd survey, open until September 18th, is below and in the comments.

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From Wise County Virginia Government:
Wise County folks: the county's ongoing nuclear microreactor study has released a second survey to gauge public input following its initial survey earlier this summer.

That initial survey had some shortcomings and was very limited in terms of the input it was gleaning from the community, but this survey is thankfully much more detailed and allows folks to provide specific info on their concerns and questions about proposed nuclear development in the county. Some data center-related questions are also included.

If you've had questions or concerns on either those topics, I'd strongly encourage you to complete the survey so that your voice is included in the county's project. You can access it at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W5KYQKV?fbclid=IwY2xjawUHvZBwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWpFNW5DNmdQR0djckY4UlZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe3-sCn7guUdHwOUEXlBdUWxPlaUY8ip8G3xvY1BbmRcxDfEvwJwgRGt50dsc_aem_SbkgdS6LXTvtieI3SMQqAw

Address

P O Box 100
Big Stone Gap, VA
24219

Website

http://www.clinchcoalition.org/smrs

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