Amazon says it will bring more transparency to data center projects
Amazon says it will stop signing nondisclosure agreements with local governments and hold more public meetings as it responds to opposition to data center projects. The company recently dropped plans for four data center buildings at George Washington University’s Ashburn campus after community resistance.
Amazon is changing how it engages with communities as opposition to data center development grows in Northern Virginia. A company vice president of public policy said Amazon will no longer use nondisclosure agreements with local governments during negotiations and will hold more open houses so residents can ask questions.
The changes follow Amazon’s decision to abandon plans for four data center buildings at George Washington University’s Ashburn campus. Amazon said community feedback made clear that residents did not want the project, and it reached an agreement involving an art center, sports facility and housing development instead. Loudoun County leaders remain skeptical and said they will judge the company by its actions, including the expected formal withdrawal of its data center application by the end of the month.