Roanoke Valley Field Notes: Google gets permit to begin grading for Botetourt County data center
Google received a permit to begin grading for its data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia, with work expected to start after Labor Day. The company still needs federal and state environmental permits, which are under review. An opposition group, the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, condemned the grading permit, citing delays in other environmental applications.
Google has been granted a permit to initiate grading for its data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia, with site preparation expected to commence after Labor Day. The project, located at the Greenfield Industrial Center, was first announced in March. While the grading permit has been issued, Google still needs to secure federal and state environmental permits, including Virginia Water Protection and Minor New Source Review Permits, which are currently under review by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The county press release emphasized that the project will avoid disturbing local wetlands, although temporary access bridges may be used. Blasting may occur during site preparation, with plans reviewed by the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the County Sheriff’s Office will enforce local noise ordinances.
The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, an opposition group, "condemned" the grading permit. They claim Google is "months overdue" on its Virginia Stream Protection permit application and noted a lack of updates on a joint permit application from the Norfolk District Army Corps of Engineers, which addresses water, wetlands, and water supply. The public comment period for the Army Corps application ended in April, with no subsequent updates posted.