Insidenova.com: A bipartisan coalition of Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday presented a series of bills aimed at addressing the rapid expansion of data centers, which have become a cornerstone of the state’s economy but have raised concerns about energy use, environmental impact, and equitable cost distribution.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin highlighted the industry’s importance during his State of the Commonwealth address Monday, noting that “data centers alone support 74,000 jobs, bring in $9.1 billion in Virginia GDP, and generate billions in local revenue.” He called for Virginia to remain “the data center capital of the world” while ensuring state support for the industry.
However, lawmakers from both parties have emphasized the need for oversight to ensure the industry’s growth is managed responsibly.
FXBG Advance: The public was first made aware of the possibility of data centers in Celebrate VA when Mayor Devine added the topic to the July 9, 2024 Council agenda, giving the public no prior notice that the topic was to be discussed. Well before that announcement, council members had toured data centers in February, two at a time, to avoid public notice.
Also, prior to the July 9th meeting the City Manager initiated discussion with a developer to provide land for data centers.
In September the City Council supported the expenditure of $200,000 to study the infrastructure needs to provide power for data centers in Celebrate VA. A cost that should not be the responsibility of the city but by either Dominion Power or the developer. When questioned about this City Manager Tim Baroody confirmed it was not the city’s responsibility but explained that it was being done at the direction of the City Council.
Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) has introduced a suite of legislative proposals targeting the rapid proliferation of data centers in Northern Virginia, addressing concerns about campaign finance, land use, and energy infrastructure. The legislation, rooted in what Lovejoy calls "common sense reforms," aims to tackle issues of public confidence, community impact, and the strain on utilities.
Curbing Campaign Influence on Local Decisions
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In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Delegate Ian Lovejoy joins us from Richmond to discuss key issues impacting Virginia residents:
Richmond’s Water Crisis: Hear about the ongoing water outage in Richmond, its effects on families, businesses, and schools, and what it means for state leadership as former Mayor Levar Stoney campaigns for Lieutenant Governor.
Data Center Development: Delegate Lovejoy explains his legislative efforts to address the rapid expansion of data centers in Northern Virginia, including:
- Prohibiting officials from voting on projects tied to campaign donors.
- Establishing zoning reforms to protect schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods.
- Proposing a moratorium on new data centers and revisiting tax incentives.
Energy Infrastructure Concerns: Learn how unchecked data center growth could threaten Virginia’s power grid by 2030 and what steps are needed to prevent a crisis.
This in-depth conversation explores the challenges facing Virginia communities and the solutions Delegate Lovejoy is working to implement.
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You’ll learn about:
- 1:15 – Richmond’s Water Crisis
- 4:30 – Data Centers and Campaign Donations
- 7:45 – Zoning Reforms and Community Impacts
- 10:30 – Power Grid Concerns and Tax Incentives
Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments.
The Fredericksburg City Council has announced a series of public meetings and work sessions as it considers approving the city’s first data centers within a newly proposed Technology Overlay Zoning District (TOD). The meetings aim to gather public input and provide transparency as the city plans to encourage high-technology industrial development in Celebrate Virginia South, next to the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium.
While the council is promoting data centers as an opportunity for economic growth, concerns from local activists and experts highlight potential challenges, including environmental and community impacts.
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In our latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, we tackle the complex and controversial topic of data centers and their growing presence in our region. Joining the conversation are two experts with unique perspectives: Bill Wright, a data center activist from Prince William County, and Dr. Eric Bonds, a professor at the University of Mary Washington and a concerned Fredericksburg resident.
Fredericksburg City Council recently held a work session to discuss an ordinance that would allow data centers within the city limits for the first time, focusing on a 250-acre site at Celebrate Virginia South. The proposed timeline is ambitious, with plans to finalize the ordinance as early as February 2025. While data centers promise potential economic benefits, including increased tax revenue, concerns about their environmental and community impact have sparked significant debate.
In this episode, we explore:
- Community Impacts: Dr. Bonds outlines how the proposed digital overlay zone would surround residential areas, including an apartment complex and retirement communities, raising questions about compatibility and quality of life.
- Lessons Learned: Bill Wright shares insights from Prince William County, where data center developments have led to environmental challenges, lawsuits, and a lack of transparency.
- Economic Realities: While data centers generate tax revenue, our guests discuss the hidden costs, including legal fees, infrastructure demands, and environmental compliance, which often go uncalculated.
- Climate Considerations: Dr. Bonds raises concerns about the energy-intensive nature of data centers and how they conflict with local and state commitments to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
- Whether you’re a Fredericksburg resident, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about how data centers impact communities, this episode offers an in-depth look at these developments’ challenges and opportunities.
The Fredericksburg City Council held a work session on December 10 to discuss a proposed ordinance allowing the city to develop data centers.
The discussion focused on creating a data center overlay district, with the Celebrate Virginia South area next to Virginia Credit Union Stadium, home of the Fredericksburg Nationals, being the primary proposed location. The ordinance would establish zoning, performance standards, and environmental protections for the potential development.
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As Prince William County grows, officials highlight the need for new water sources to meet future demand. A primary concern is the expansion of data centers, which have become a significant consumer of water.
Calvin Farr, General Manager of Prince William Water, explained the county’s projected water needs: "We have dynamic hydraulic models we look at, really, to see if we can handle the additional growth. And if we don't, we identify capital needs. At that point, we put that in our master plan for capital needs that, you know, that is needed to supply additional growth."
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The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission released its long awaited report on data centers Monday, detailing the expected soaring energy demands and large economic benefits of the industry ahead of the 2025 General Assembly session.
