Data Centers
- Spanberger takes unprecedented step to intervene in $67B Dominion-NextEra merger
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is stepping directly into the regulatory fight over the proposed $67 billion sale of Dominion Energy to Florida-based NextEra Energy, becoming the first Virginia governor to formally intervene in a case before the State Corporation Commission. Spanberger announced Thursday that she will seek intervenor status in the case, giving her administration the […]
- Sterling Community Addresses Data Center Noise Concerns
Residents of Sterling Virginia are addressing concerns related to noise pollution originating from nearby data centers. The high pitched hum has been identified as a factor affecting the quality of life for people in the community. These individuals are seeking accountability to manage the situation effectively. The noise issue has been described as constant and […]
- Loudoun County Neighbors Seek Tighter Rules on Data Center Noise
Data center operations in Loudoun County have generated reports of noise pollution that affect the daily routines of residents in Sterling and surrounding areas. Neighbors describe constant sounds from facility equipment that interfere with rest and general comfort in their homes. These issues have prompted direct appeals to local authorities for greater oversight and regulatory […]
- Loudoun County, other Virginia localities consider hitting the brakes on data center development
Loudoun County, ground zero of Data Center Alley and home to over 250 of the power-hungry digital warehouse facilities, is considering a pause on all new data center project applications, officials said this week. “The community has basically been begging us to do something about the unchecked growth of data centers,” County Supervisor Juli Briskman […]
- SCC orders Dominion to develop tariff to assign more transmission costs to data centers
More of the cost to build the high-voltage transmission lines that serve as power highways across the state could soon be covered by data centers, after a recent decision by state regulators. The State Corporation Commission has ordered Dominion Energy to develop a policy to directly assign the cost of transmission infrastructure to data centers […]
- Virginia Study Finds Hyperscale Data Centers Would Fail Groundwater Permit Criteria East of I-95
A 2026 report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality concludes that a typical hyperscale data center requiring approximately three million gallons of groundwater per day would fail current permit evaluation criteria in nearly all locations across the Coastal Plain east of Interstate 95. The analysis forms part of a broader examination of groundwater supply […]
- Loudoun County Residents Raise Concerns Over Data Center Noise and Emissions
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has received numerous complaints from residents regarding noise and diesel generator fumes associated with data centers. Current members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors include Chair Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Michael Turner, Juli Briskman, Sylvia Glass, Caleb Kershner, Matthew Letourneau, and Kristen Umstattd. These issues have been particularl
- Virginia Study Projects Declining Groundwater Availability Within Five to Ten Years Under Current Trajectories
A 2026 report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality finds that stabilized gains in groundwater levels across the Coastal Plain east of Interstate 95 are already stalling. Models project renewed declines in availability within five to ten years in key areas if current withdrawal patterns continue without policy changes. The analysis forms part of […]
- Industrial Facilities Dominate Permitted Groundwater Withdrawals in Virginia’s Coastal Plain
A 2026 report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality finds that industrial facilities, including paper mills, specialty chemical plants, and poultry operations, account for the largest share of permitted groundwater withdrawals in the Coastal Plain east of Interstate 95. Five of the top users alone exert sufficient influence to shape regional water levels across […]
- Loudoun County Data Centers Linked to Widespread Power Issues
Loudoun County data centers have been associated with power flickering reported across approximately half the United States. A statement from experts describes the facilities as imposing a substantial load on the electrical grid. This load is said to carry the potential for detrimental effects on overall system performance. Details of the Reported Connection The linkage […]
- Virginia legislator Louise Lucas was allowed to use campaign funds for her defense. So she did.
State Sen. Louise Lucas, the powerful Portsmouth Democrat, used $300,000 in campaign funds to contribute to her legal defense fund and hire a law firm following an FBI raid in May on her businesses in Portsmouth. That’s a sizable amount. What The Virginian-Pilot article should have noted higher in the story was that Lucas was […]
- Expert Testifies on EMF Standards and Data Center Concerns at Council Hearing
Theodora Scarato spoke before the Montgomery County Council at a recent public hearing. She characterized existing electromagnetic field safety standards as a fairy tale. Her remarks focused on the limitations of current guidelines in addressing modern exposures. Scarato described degraded power conditions that result in electrical pollution. This pollution can extend across distances of up […]
- Virginia senators request special session to act on ’deeply alarming’ groundwater report
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality released its 117-page legislative report on the state’s groundwater supply east of Interstate 95 this week, which revealed significant levels of strain on the eastern aquifers that could put clean drinking water at risk. “Groundwater supply east of I-95 is constrained, and current projections indicate declining availability in the […]
- As Virginia officials weigh data center pushback, report details industry’s public service funding
As a single mother balancing work against earning a nursing degree, Yvettrise Hoskie thought homeownership was out of her reach. Now, she’s settling into a Henrico County townhome development. The county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund helped with her downpayment, but the financial assistance was made possible by one of the state’s more controversial neighbors — […]
- Manassas Council Member Tom Osina Enters Mayor’s Race
Manassas City Council member Tom Osina has formally announced his candidacy for mayor in the 2027 municipal election. Osina, who has held his council seat since 2020, brings a record of local governance to the contest. The announcement was made public through local media outlets covering Prince William County and surrounding areas. In his statement, […]
- Northern Virginia Lawmakers Suhas Subramanyam, James Walkinshaw Receive Tech Contributions Amid Data Center Debates
Northern Virginia has emerged as the world’s largest data center market, with facilities expanding significantly in counties such as Loudoun. Local residents have expressed opposition to additional development of these large-scale operations near residential areas. Three Democratic House members from the region have received campaign contributions from individuals and groups connected to companies
- Expert Testimony Examines Electromagnetic Field Levels Near Data Centers
Theodora Scarato provided testimony at a Montgomery County Council public hearing focused on a proposed moratorium for data center projects. She outlined conclusions regarding electromagnetic field exposure and its documented associations with health outcomes. The presentation referenced cancers in general and breast cancer in particular along with environmental considerations. Scarato cited indep
- Amazon Confirmed as Tenant for Starwood Data Centers in Herndon, Virginia
Amazon has been identified as the end customer for new data center facilities under development by Starwood Capital in Herndon, Virginia. The project is located in Fairfax County at the Renaissance Technology Park. Amazon Data Services submitted documentation to the county regarding air permit applications for the sites. This confirmation comes from recent filings that […]
- Pro-data center industry group behind ad campaign in Virginia
Just days before the Oregon Legislature in March passed a one-year pause on a popular tax incentive program for data centers, a group called Oregon Connects registered as a nonprofit business in the state. Then the ads started appearing. “From homes to hospitals to businesses, Oregon’s data centers are unlocking a smarter power grid for […]
- Brown water, dust and loud noises: Louisa homeowner sues Amazon over data center construction
From the driveway of his Louisa home and business, Austin Newsome sees dozens of dump trucks barrel down Route 33 most days, hauling dirt and other debris. The road is stained rusty red from the soil displaced by the construction of Amazon’s latest data center campus in the county. One day, Newsom said, his neighbor […]
- Virginia Advances Data Center Projects Amid Concerns Over Energy and Water
Virginia continues to move forward with plans for extensive data center facilities. Projections indicate these centers could double the state’s electricity demand. Water resources may also face additional pressures from the operations. Electric bills for residents are anticipated to rise under current trajectories. No detailed plan has been presented to manage the full scope of […]
- Goochland residents rebuff data center developer Tract ahead of permit application
On Thursday evening, dozens of Goochland residents donned red t-shirts and held signs that spelled out their displeasure with the idea of multiple data centers being built in the county’s technology overlay district that butts up against Mosaic, a 55+ neighborhood that hosts over 500 homes. “We want to make sure that everyone understands that […]
- Virginia Environmental Agency Reviews Data Center Emissions Analysis
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality examined concerns raised about air emissions from a data center facility in Loudoun County. Director Michael Rolband received an analysis from the Piedmont Environmental Council in March and directed staff to review its findings on potential health effects. The report focused on a Vantage Data Centers site in Sterling […]
- Virginia’s New Data Center Tax: A Billion-Dollar Excuse for Government Expansion
Virginia lawmakers have officially adopted a first-of-its-kind statewide energy consumption tax on data centers, sparking concerns among fiscal conservatives about government overreach and unchecked spending. The new levy imposes a $0.011 per kilowatt-hour charge on all electricity consumed by these facilities, which is projected to generate up to $600 million annually for state coffers. While […]
- Department of Environmental Quality asks Virginians how to best engage environmental justice communities during permitting process
When the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality reviews permits for proposed projects that would impact water, air, or land, the agency must consider whether projects would be in or near environmental justice communities, areas that are low-income or whose residents are mostly people of color who experience a disproportionate rate of environmental harm. Now, state […]
- Virginia Democrats Push Massive Budget Expansion Replete With New Taxes and Unprecedented Spending
Governor Abigail Spanberger and Democratic leaders in Richmond have finalized a state budget that drastically expands the size and scope of Virginia government. The newly approved spending plan features a record-shattering $2 billion in new public education funding and creates massive new entitlement programs at the expense of taxpayers. While proponents argue these measures are […]
- Loudoun County Explores Data Center Replacements East of Route 28
Loudoun County is evaluating a proposal to replace hotels and restaurants with data centers in locations east of Route 28. This shift involves changes to commercial land uses in the specified area. Discussions have included analysis of how the transition might affect surrounding infrastructure. Traffic implications form a central part of the ongoing review process. […]
- Balancing Growth and Community Impacts Through Cost-Effective Infrastructure
Loudoun County and broader Northern Virginia face escalating demands for high-voltage transmission infrastructure to support the region’s dense concentration of data centers. Dominion Energy has advanced several projects, including elements of the Loudoun Reliability Loop linking the Aspen, Golden, Mars, and Wishing Star substations near Ashburn. These lines, operating at 500 and 230 kilovolts, ar
- Supervisor Mike Turner for Closed-Loop Water Mandates as Data Centers Expand in Virginia
During a recent public session, an expert addressed the necessity of mandating closed-loop water systems for data centers to reduce effects on local communities. The presentation focused on how such systems could limit water consumption associated with cooling processes in these facilities. This comes as the number of data centers continues to increase. References were […]
- Loudoun County Faces Unsustainable Spending Path and Doubling Debt Growth
Loudoun County officials are confronting stark warnings regarding municipal finances as structural spending and debt projections highlight potential long-term economic vulnerabilities. The newly proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 outlines a comprehensive spending package totaling $5.4 billion for the rapidly developing Virginia region. Financial strategy reports accompanying the proposal caution
- Data centers want to build their own gas turbines. Would that skirt state renewable energy laws?
Virginia’s surging energy demands require more power generation infrastructure to be built, a slow process that’s delaying new data centers waiting to be connected to the grid. Dominion Energy, the state’s largest utility, has an estimated 70 gigawatts worth of projects in their queue that need more power sources online before they can link to […]
- Virginia Lawmakers Push Historic Spending Increases Amid Concerns Over Budget Bloat and Taxpayer Burden
The recently unveiled Virginia budget for the FY2027-FY2028 biennium introduces unprecedented levels of state spending that have raised immediate alarms regarding fiscal restraint. At the center of this financial blueprint is a sweeping compensation package that mandates four percent annual raises for teachers and school support staff in each year of the biennium. While supporters […]
- Prince William County Directs $5 Million to Affordable Housing in FY2027 Budget
Prince William County officials have finalized the fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes a notable five million dollar contribution to the local Affordable Housing reserve fund. This latest financial commitment brings the total county investment in affordable housing initiatives to twenty-one million dollars spanning from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2027. Local leaders designed […]
- Northern Virginia’s Data Center Boom Threatens Family Health with Expanding Power Lines and Substations
Rapid data center construction across Loudoun and Prince William Counties is forcing a massive expansion of high-voltage transmission lines and substations that scientific research associates with higher rates of childhood leukemia and other serious illnesses. Loudoun County already contains the world’s densest concentration of these facilities, with roughly 250 operational data centers and more t
- Virginia Preserves Data Center Tax Exemption Amid Budget Battles and Fiscal Concerns
The Virginia General Assembly has finalized a contentious fiscal year 2027 budget that preserves the highly debated Data Center Retail Sales and Use Tax Exemption. Lawmakers navigated intense legislative clashes to maintain the lucrative tax break, which saves the data center industry an estimated two billion dollars annually. This decision keeps the commonwealth competitive for […]
- Loudoun County Advances $5.4 Billion Budget Fueled by Unprecedented Data Center Revenue
Loudoun County has officially moved forward with a massive $5.4 billion budget that relies heavily on the rapidly expanding data center industry to fund public services. This unique fiscal dynamic allows local government officials to support extensive infrastructure and workforce investments while simultaneously lowering the tax burden on individual residents. The data center sector currently […]
- Virginia Democrats Push $714 Million State Employee Pay Raise Funded by New Taxes
As Virginia lawmakers finalize the massive budget for the upcoming 2026-2028 biennium, fiscal conservatives are raising urgent alarms over a reckless expansion in permanent state spending. Governor Abigail Spanberger and Democratic legislative leaders have agreed to a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay bump for state employees, which will cost hardworking taxpayers an estimated $714 million. This […
- Prince William County FY2027 Budget Expands Affordable Housing Investment to $21 Million
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors recently adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which includes a significant financial commitment to local housing initiatives. A key component of this newly approved spending plan is a five million dollar contribution directed specifically toward the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund. This latest allocation brings the countywide investment […]
- Virginia Budget Adds $600 Million Data Center Tax Amid Continued State Overspending
Virginia lawmakers have passed a new state budget that introduces a first-of-its-kind electricity consumption tax on data centers, raising serious questions about fiscal responsibility and government overspending. Taking effect on July 1, 2026, the provision levies a fee of 1.1 cents per kilowatt-hour on electricity consumed by these massive technology hubs. The new tax is […]
- Prince William County Shifts Tax Burden to Data Centers to Fully Fund OmniRide Subsidy
In a strategic move to fund regional mobility while altering the local tax landscape, Prince William County officials have approved a budget that fully funds the local subsidy request for OmniRide at $29.9 million. This robust investment in public transportation is supported by a targeted increase in the Computer and Peripherals tax rate, which now […]
- Public Health Expert Warns Loudoun County Leaders of Cancer and Alzheimer’s Risks from Expanding Power Infrastructure
Loudoun County’s rapid data center expansion is generating extensive new high-voltage transmission lines and substations that a leading public health physician has linked to elevated risks of childhood leukemia, adult cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease. The county already contains approximately 250 operational data centers and more than 100 additional projects in the pipeline, driving a 233 […]
- Virginia Budget Bloat: Governor Spanberger Pushes Record Spending and New Taxes
Governor Abigail Spanberger has finalized a state budget for the 2026-2028 biennium that introduces a staggering two billion dollars in new public education spending. This massive financial commitment comes directly on the heels of a historic two point six billion dollar educational funding increase passed during the previous budget cycle. Fiscal conservatives across Virginia are […]
- Loudoun County Adds 188 Staff Positions in $5.4 Billion FY2027 Budget
Loudoun County officials are preparing to implement a comprehensive $5.4 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes significant workforce expansion. The FY2027 financial plan adds 188 newly hired staff positions distributed across 18 different municipal departments. This staffing increase is largely designed to support the opening and operation of new county facilities slated […]
- Virginia Implements Historic Data Center Tax Amidst Rising Public Costs and Budgetary Battles
Virginia has officially implemented a first-of-its-kind statewide energy consumption tax on data centers as part of the FY2027-FY2028 biennial budget. The new policy levies a $0.011 per kilowatt-hour charge on electricity consumed by facilities housing massive server and network systems. Governor Abigail Spanberger championed the measure, stating it ensures the rapidly expanding industry pays its
- Parent Urges Loudoun Schools to Place Student Safety Above Data Center Plans
A parent addressed the Loudoun County Public Schools board during a public comment period to express concerns about data center projects and their potential effects on students. The speaker stated that schools should rank among the safest places in a child’s life and should not be influenced by factors of convenience or cost. This message […]
- Prince William County Approves $21 Million Affordable Housing Investment in FY2027 Budget
Budget Approval and Housing Focus The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors recently approved a comprehensive municipal budget that includes a significant $5 million contribution to the local affordable housing reserve fund. This latest financial commitment brings the total county investment in affordable housing initiatives to $21 million spanning from fiscal year 2024 through […]
- Virginia Implements Landmark Energy Consumption Tax on Data Centers to Protect Taxpayers and the Grid
Virginia lawmakers have finalized a groundbreaking state budget that introduces a first-in-the-nation electricity consumption tax targeting the rapidly expanding data center industry. This new fiscal policy levies a tax of $0.011 per kilowatt-hour on all electricity consumed by these massive technology hubs operating within the Commonwealth. The measure is projected to generate a substantial $600
- Virginia’s $1.94 Billion Data Center Giveaway: A Colossal Failure of Fiscal Restraint
The recently finalized Virginia budget reveals a staggering fiscal reality for hardworking taxpayers who are currently subsidizing the booming data center industry. While lawmakers publicly tout a newly implemented electricity consumption tax, they quietly retained a massive retail sales and use tax exemption for these technology giants through the year 2035. This corporate carve-out represents […
- SCC considers making data centers shoulder more of the cost of transmission lines
Transmission lines for a data center in Prince William County, VA. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) Consumer advocates have joined Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration to argue that high-load customers like data centers should pay for the high-voltage lines that solely serve them, a stance now playing out as part of Dominion Energy’s case with state […]
- Four Virginia counties will pump almost 20 million gallons of water a day to Amazon.
How you look at something – the frame you use and your perspective – often influences what you see. This holds true with the issue of data centers and water use. Amazon recently reported that it withdrew a total of 2.5 billion gallons of water for data center cooling operations in 2025. That seems like […]