In a developing story out of Virginia, a coalition of environmental and land-use organizations recently gathered in Lake Ridge to call for increased regulation of data centers in the state. The Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition, comprised of prominent groups such as the Sierra Club and the National Parks Conservation Association, is advocating for a reexamination of the health and environmental impacts of data centers, which host an estimated 70 percent of global internet traffic.
The concentration of data centers in Virginia’s northeast corridor is attributed to the state’s strategic position as the birthplace of the internet precursor that linked the Pentagon to various research centers in the 1960s. This initial investment paved the way for the proliferation of data centers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft establishing operations in the state.
While the economic benefits of hosting data centers are evident, the coalition highlighted the significant environmental and energy demands that come with these facilities. Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest utility provider, has proposed new fossil fuel infrastructure to meet the energy requirements of data centers, sparking concerns from residents and environmental groups.
Julie Bolthouse, the director of land use at the Piedmont Environmental Council, emphasized the need for legislators to assess the cumulative impacts of data centers on the state’s electric grid, water supply, air quality, and climate goals. The coalition is pushing for increased state oversight, as well as a shift of the costs of building and operating new infrastructure onto technology companies rather than ratepayers.
While representatives from major tech companies did not immediately respond to the coalition’s demands, the Data Center Coalition, a trade group representing companies with data centers in Virginia, expressed support for a state-led study on the effects of data centers in the state. However, the group did not mention the potential for new regulations.
Virginia’s data center industry generates over half a billion dollars in tax revenue for the state, with Loudoun County officials estimating that the state hosts 70 percent of the world’s internet traffic. Despite the economic benefits, concerns surrounding the environmental impact and community trade-offs have prompted calls for increased regulation and oversight.
As Virginia gears up for its new legislative session, the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition aims to work with lawmakers to address the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers in the state. The coalition’s goal is not to drive the industry out of Virginia but to establish necessary guardrails to ensure responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
Overall, the coalition’s efforts underscore the importance of balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, particularly in sectors like data centers that have significant implications for energy consumption, land use, and climate impact. Stay tuned as the debate over data center regulation in Virginia continues to unfold.
Environmentalists in Virginia are protesting the proliferation of data centers in the state, citing concerns about the environmental impact of these facilities. Virginia has become a popular location for data centers due to its proximity to major fiber optic networks and access to reliable electricity. However, environmentalists argue that these data centers contribute to air and water pollution, as well as increased energy consumption. In response to these protests, some data center operators have pledged to use renewable energy sources and improve their environmental practices.