Data Centers Archives - Page 5 of 23

Supervisors Consider Plans for Woodbridge Hub, General Assembly Bills

Published January 20, 2025 at 9:08PM

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 major decisions on land development and state legislation. The meeting is open to the public.

Woodbridge Land Development

Supervisors are expected to approve $250,000 to hire consultants to determine the best use for 21.85 acres of land in Woodbridge, previously considered for an indoor sports and recreation center. The funding, drawn from the Economic Development Opportunity Fund, will support planning for a vibrant mixed-use community hub. The land is part of a larger 70-acre property targeted for an indoor sports venue, focusing on creating live-work-play environments and generating tax revenue.

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

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 15, 2025 at 3:48PM | Updated January 15, 2025 at 4:28PM

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.

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Fredericksburg

Opinion: Timelines, Transparency, and Data Centers

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 14, 2025 at 4:18PM

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.

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Prince William

Delegate Ian Lovejoy Proposes Legislative Reforms on Data Center Expansion

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 9, 2025 at 4:32PM

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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Manassas

Virginia’s Water Crisis & Data Center Debate: What’s Next

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 8, 2025 at 3:55PM | Updated January 8, 2025 at 4:42PM

In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Delegate Ian Lovejoy joins us from Richmond to discuss key issues impacting Virginia residents:

Fredericksburg

Will Data Centers Change Fredericksburg Forever? City Invites Public Feedback

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 7, 2025 at 2:07PM

Fredericksburg City Hall

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.

A recent report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) warns that if data center development in Virginia continues without constraints, the state’s energy demands could triple. The report emphasizes that meeting these increased demands would necessitate the construction of additional energy facilities, including renewable sources like solar and offshore wind, as well as natural gas plants. Specifically, JLARC estimates that a new natural gas plant would need to be built approximately every one and a half years to keep pace with the energy consumption of unconstrained data center growth.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Data Center Dilemma

By Potomac Local News

Published December 19, 2024 at 4:45PM

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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

Fredericksburg City Council Considers Aggressive Timeline for Data Center Ordinance

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 18, 2024 at 1:00PM

Fredericksburg City Hall

The Fredericksburg City Council held a work session on December 10 to discuss a proposed ordinance allowing the city to develop data centers.

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Prince William

As Data Centers Expand, Prince William County Looks to Future Water Solutions

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 18, 2024 at 9:00AM

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.

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Report: Data Centers Could Triple Energy Demands If Unconstrained

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published December 17, 2024 at 4:15PM

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.

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