Marion County hears from Virginia’s ‘Data Center Alley,’ then argues size, megawatt volume
Marion County commissioners are debating the scope of a year-long moratorium on data centers, specifically arguing whether it should apply to projects over 20 or 50 megawatts. The discussion follows a presentation from Loudoun County, Virginia, officials, who warned about the impacts of extensive data center development on water, power, and jobs. The county aims to establish clear regulations before any data center applications are filed.
Marion County, Florida, commissioners held a workshop to address growing concerns over data center development, including a debate over a proposed year-long moratorium. The key point of contention was whether the pause should apply to data centers exceeding 20 or 50 megawatts. Chairman Carl Zalak III emphasized the workshop's purpose was to establish "responsible guardrails" for future applications, not to approve or reject any current projects, as none have been filed.
Mike Turner, Vice Chair of Loudoun County, Virginia's Board of Supervisors, offered a stark warning, detailing Loudoun's experience as "Data Center Alley." He advised against "by-right" zoning for data centers, citing issues with noise, power strain, water usage, and minimal long-term job creation. Turner described Loudoun's approach, which initially treated data centers as office parks, as a "failure" on most impact metrics, advocating for strict siting and rules to manage their environmental and community effects.
Conversely, former Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, now with Douglas Law Firm, presented a more optimistic perspective, referencing a specific project he's been following. Guinn projected that this un-named project could generate approximately $155 million in tax revenue for Marion County and create 200 full-time jobs with high salaries, alongside 2,200 construction jobs for two and a half years. He also highlighted advancements in cooling technology, such as Nvidia's gel-based systems, that significantly reduce water consumption compared to older data center designs.
The discussion also touched upon Florida Senate Bill 484, effective July 1, which ensures zoning remains local and sets rules for large-load customers. Marion County had previously approved a 12-month pause on data centers 50 megawatts or larger, aligning with the bill's threshold. Utilities are required to file Public Service Commission tariffs by October 1 to ensure large-load customers bear their full service costs, a measure Duke Energy has challenged. Officials from the St. Johns River Water Management District emphasized the need for data centers to use the lowest quality water sources available and recirculating systems to mitigate impacts on local aquifers like Silver Springs and Lake Weir. Staff were directed to draft new regulations based on Turner's list of six tests (noise, power, water, emissions, setback, appearance), which will undergo further workshops and public reviews before being codified.