A blog by Michelle Ueltschi, CCAN’s Carol Brantley Environmental Justice Fellow
As I approached the Chesapeake City Hall, heart pounding, I had no idea what to expect. The closest I’d ever been to a City Council meeting was watching Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation! Entering the chamber, I was immediately shocked. A sea of Chesapeake residents, all wearing bright red and proudly sporting “No Data Center” stickers, took me by surprise.
I knew the council was voting on the data center that night, but I had no idea how much the community was strongly united against it. But my real focus was the first agenda item of the night: the proposal for a Chesapeake compressor station that would bring more toxic pollution to our community.
Why the Dangers of This Compressor Station Hit Close to Home
Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is proposing to build a new compressor station in a residential neighborhood in Chesapeake. Compressor stations are facilities placed along natural gas pipelines to boost pressure and keep gas moving over long distances. These stations release toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gases, including methane and cancer-causing gases like benzene. This compressor station is planned to be located within five miles of a school where my mom works, making it a very personal issue for me.
As I’ve been talking to people about this project while canvassing and at festivals, I’m inspired by the passion and energy Chesapeake residents have shown in fighting to protect our community. I’ve heard stories from longtime residents longing for the preservation of their rural communities.
I’ve listened to grandparents recount stories of their childhoods, sharing how they have seen the city become more polluted, storms getting worse, and that they fear the future for their families. During these conversations, CCAN and other organizations gathered hundreds of signatures from Chesapeake residents telling the city council that they do not want this project built in their community.
A Landmark Victory: Chesapeake City Council Rejects Polluting Projects
That night, after hours of testimony and debate, the Chesapeake City Council made a landmark decision: they voted to deny Virginia Natural Gas’s sweeping rezoning request! This request would have paved the way for the compressor station and the data center. Its rejection was a huge win for residents, civic leagues, and environmental groups that raised environmental justice concerns about pollution, safety, and the disproportionate burden these projects would place on already disadvantaged communities.
I thought we had won that fight. I celebrated, closed my research tabs, and shifted my focus to other priorities. But the next morning, I received an email: Virginia Natural Gas had requested a reconsideration from the City Council. Suddenly, we were back at square one. I was confused and angry; why does one company get endless opportunities, while we have to block every single door just to stay safe?
Nevertheless, we got back to work. With only a month to act, our coalition put together a bold plan to urge the City Council to stand firm and listen to the voices of Chesapeake residents who oppose this project.
Join Us to Protect Chesapeake’s Future
Here’s the bottom line: the only way we can ensure this project does not harm our communities is to pack the city council chamber on July 15th at 6:30 PM. We need to show the city council how many of their constituents are against this project, and remind them we are watching their vote closely.
Before the meeting, at 5:15, CCAN will be holding a mini rally to prepare residents to speak out against the project. We will be providing shirts, coaching residents on how to address their representatives, and we will have free snacks! Can you make it out to the mini rally or the city council meeting on July 15th? Sign up here to let us know you’re coming and bring a friend!
We’ve beat this thing before. Let’s beat it again!
About the Author: Michelle Ueltschi (she/her) has been working in Hampton Roads, Virginia as a Carol Brantley Environmental Justice Fellow for the summer of 2025. She has recently graduated from Columbia University with a degree in sustainable development.
As a Hampton Roads native, Michelle found her passion for the environment at a young age and spent many years in high school advocating for the local environment and working to protect her hometown of Virginia Beach.
Now, after finding her passion for climate justice at Columbia, Michelle is bringing the knowledge and experience she gained in New York City back to the Chesapeake Bay!
