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Virginia
Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Virginia regulators weigh expanded use of data centers’ polluting generators

This past summer, a fire at an electrical substation forced data centers in Loudoun County to rely on backup diesel generators as their power source.

Loudoun residents take fight against high-voltage power lines for Data Center Alley to SCC

All year, the residents of the Loudoun Valley Estates neighborhoods in Ashburn have been railing against a proposed high-voltage power line that could run through their community to energize dozens of data centers on the other side of town.

Loudoun School Board Hands Over Power to Unelected Teachers’ Union, Locking in Massive Raises at Taxpayer Expense

In a move that undermines the authority of our elected school board and silences the voices of parents and taxpayers, the Loudoun County School Board voted 7-1 on November 25, 2025, to ratify a historic collective bargaining agreement with the Loudoun Education Association.

Loudoun County Democrats Face Tax Relief Standoff Amid Booming Data Center Revenues

LEESBURG, VA – Loudoun County, home to the largest concentration of data centers globally, is grappling with how to allocate its substantial tax revenues from the industry, as highlighted in a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. The discussion centered on whether to implement minor property tax reductions for residents, given annual data center contributions exceeding $300 million—equivalent to 66 cents per $100 on the residential property tax rate.

The county’s adopted FY 2026 budget totals $4.7 billion, with personal property taxes on data center equipment expected to generate approximately $1.37 billion. County staff has recommended against further rate cuts, emphasizing the need for budget stability and funding for essential services like education and infrastructure. Supervisor Matt Letourneau questioned this stance, noting that a proposed reduction would cost only $2.2 million in a multibillion-dollar framework, making it challenging to justify no relief to residents.

Data centers, which occupy just 0.2% of all parcels, provide nearly half of property tax revenues and yield $26 for every $1 in county services. Earlier in 2025, including July proposals, the Board explored changes to data center tax assessments to ensure long-term fiscal health.

For more details, watch the discussion here: https://x.com/LoudounGOP/status/2005231298529378709

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