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 that relies on natural gas turbines for power.
The Piedmont analysis estimated annual health costs between 53 million and 99 million dollars from soot pollution if the facility operated at its permitted maximum. It also projected between 3.4 and 6.5 premature deaths per year in the surrounding area. The facility holds permits allowing up to 95 tons of nitrogen oxides and more than 56 tons of soot annually.
Agency Response and Internal Process
Rolband forwarded the report to air permitting staff shortly after receipt and requested their assessment. Emails show staff prepared a preliminary critique within hours of the report’s public release. Some employees noted that evaluating health impacts extended beyond their typical environmental modeling responsibilities.
The agency later released its own assessment in late April. This document stated that actual emissions at the site represented 28 to 69 percent of permitted levels for several pollutants. It also referenced broader air quality data for Loudoun County from prior years.
The DEQ report addressed modeling choices and comparisons to federal standards. Health experts consulted separately indicated that particulate matter can affect health even below certain thresholds. The agency’s communications manager stated that staff did not collaborate with external parties on the review.
Context of Data Center Development
Virginia contains more than 600 data centers, with many seeking grid connections amid rising demand from artificial intelligence applications. Dominion Energy has reported receiving about 10 new large-load requests each month. Dozens of projects collectively require 70 gigawatts of power.
Some facilities, including the Vantage site, have installed on-site generation as a temporary measure due to grid limitations. The turbines supplement dozens of backup diesel generators already permitted. Local residents have reported noise and air quality issues near the Sterling location.
Industry and Stakeholder Reactions
Vantage executives maintained regular contact with regulators prior to the Piedmont report. Company representatives described the turbines as a short-term solution and shared details on mitigation efforts. The Data Center Coalition distributed the state’s assessment to media and officials.
Former DEQ director Robert Burnley described the agency’s report as unusual in its scope. The Piedmont Environmental Council indicated its outreach to state officials concerned broader data center impacts rather than a specific critique of one permit.
