Virginia Data Center Opponents Call for Statewide Construction Moratorium
Data center opponents are holding marches across Virginia in support of a statewide construction moratorium, citing strain on the power grid and water resources. Supporters of development, including Stack Infrastructure, argue that a moratorium would shift investment and digital infrastructure to other states or overseas, while rural communities say data centers could provide jobs and tax revenue.
Opponents of data center construction are organizing eight marches across Virginia, including one in Danville, as state Sen. Russet Perry prepares to introduce a bill imposing a three-year statewide moratorium. Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she opposes a statewide ban because localities should decide whether to allow data centers, and the article notes that rural areas view the projects as a source of jobs and revenue while other communities are increasingly concerned about their costs.
The debate centers on the planned Stack Infrastructure complex in Pittsylvania County, which is expected to create thousands of jobs, as well as concerns about electricity demand, water supplies and grid reliability. Stack executive Kevin Hughes said a moratorium would not reduce demand for digital services but would instead send investment and infrastructure elsewhere. The article also examines whether restrictions in Virginia or nationally could increase reliance on overseas data centers and raise concerns about data sovereignty.