Data Centers

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Data Center Debate Heats Up: Concerns Grow Over Transparency and Environmental Impact

By Uriah Kiser
Fredericksburg City Hall

The ongoing debate over the construction of data centers in Fredericksburg took center stage during the City Council meeting on January 28, 2025, with residents and council members expressing mounting concerns about the potential environmental consequences and the lack of transparency in the approval process.

At the heart of the controversy is the city’s aggressive timeline for approving zoning changes and facilitating the development of new data centers. Local residents have voiced their concerns about the environmental impact of such large-scale projects, particularly in areas close to residential neighborhoods and natural resources like the Rappahannock River. While proponents argue that data centers could bring significant economic benefits, critics worry that the city is rushing to approve projects without fully understanding or addressing the long-term consequences.

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News

Possum Point power plant near Dumfries to expand, modernize for data centers

By Uriah Kiser

Once thought to be on its way out, Dominion Energy’s Possum Point Power Station near Dumfries is now expanding operations to meet rising data center power demands, Insidenova.com reports.

The 75-year-old facility currently burns natural gas and diesel fuel, generating around 660 megawatts of energy, which powers about 170,000 homes.

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Originals

Subcommittee Rejects Bill to Regulate Data Centers Near Schools, Parks

By Uriah Kiser
Village Place Technology Park in Gainesville, approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2022

The Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee rejected a bill that sought to regulate the siting of data centers near schools, parks, and residential areas. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) presented HB1984, which would have required local government approval for data center developments only if they were located at least a quarter mile away from such properties. The subcommittee voted 8-0 to “lay the bill on the table,” effectively killing it.

The vote dealt a setback to those advocating for tighter regulation of Virginia’s rapidly growing data center industry. Data centers, which house servers and infrastructure critical for cloud computing and internet services, have been a source of contention due to their noise, construction impacts, and potential encroachment on residential and community spaces.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg defends ‘deliberate pace’ of data center pursuit during public input session

By Uriah Kiser

Rather, it’s the terms and timetable governing said pursuit that comprised most of their questions asked during a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council.

More than one speaker noted that adjacent jurisdictions, such as Stafford County, have taken up to six months from initiating the public process to voting for a data center. By contrast, Fredericksburg’s city council first discussed a Technology Overlay District in detail on Dec. 10 and could vote on related resolutions and ordinances as early as its Feb. 25 meeting.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City Council Advances Plan to Create Data Center Technology District Amid Accelerated Timeline and Public Debate

By Uriah Kiser
Fredericksburg City Hall

The Fredericksburg City Council took a significant step toward attracting data center development on Monday, January 14, by voting unanimously to initiate amendments to the city’s 2015 comprehensive plan, unified development ordinance (UDO), and zoning map. The proposed changes aim to establish a Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would designate roughly 250 acres in the city as a site for data centers and related uses near the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium. 

Currently, the city does not have server farms like those sprouting up in surrounding jurisdictions, such as Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William, and King George counties. Unlike their neighbors, the city has far fewer acres of land to devote to the sprawling tech campuses. 

“This is a critical opportunity for Fredericksburg to position itself as a competitive player in the tech industry,” said Mayor Kerry P. Devine. “By concentrating development in a single campus-like district, we can ensure infrastructure is used efficiently while minimizing environmental and community impacts.”

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News

Local Va. senator pitches bill to relieve Digital Gateway landowners of their higher tax bills

By Uriah Kiser
McPike

Prince William Times – “Landowners who want to sell their properties for the Prince William Digital Gateway data center development and are suing Prince William County over their higher real estate tax bills were recently dealt a blow in court when a judge ruled against their case.

But they might have a Plan B, thanks to a bill sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy McPike.”

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News

Supervisors Consider Plans for Woodbridge Hub, General Assembly Bills

By Uriah Kiser

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will convene on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge for a packed agenda that includes significant decisions on land development and state legislation. The meeting is open to the public.

Woodbridge Land Development

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News

As data center boom continues, Va. legislators broach new regulations

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Fredericksburg

Opinion: Timelines, Transparency, and Data Centers

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Prince William

Delegate Ian Lovejoy Proposes Legislative Reforms on Data Center Expansion

By Uriah Kiser

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.

One of Lovejoy’s key proposals would bar local officials from voting on data center projects if they have accepted campaign contributions from developers involved in the projects. This legislation stems from what he describes as an “erosion of public confidence” in decision-making, particularly when controversial rezonings follow large donations.

“You can take the money, but you just can’t vote on the project,” said Lovejoy. “Or you can deny the money and vote on any project you want. It’s a common-sense reform designed to restore public trust.” The proposal draws lessons from similar initiatives in Loudoun County and targets what Lovejoy sees as a systemic issue across Northern Virginia.

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