Alexandria residents find a new way to push back against a proposed data center

Residents in Northern Virginia, particularly near Alexandria and Fairfax County, are escalating their opposition to a proposed data center. The data center project, planned for Plaza 500 in Alexandria, encompasses two 75-foot buildings totaling over 226,000 square feet and has already received zoning approval. However, community groups are now targeting the power infrastructure, specifically a new substation application by Dominion Energy, as a "final last stand."

Tyler Ray and his neighbors, who have been fighting the data center for years, have garnered significant support. Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez is recommending Fairfax County deny Dominion Energy's substation application, advocating for a plan that balances energy needs with neighborhood character. This recommendation aligns with requests from Congressman Don Beyer, Alexandria's mayor, and the Alexandria City Council, who have also asked Fairfax County to deny the substation. The project's location in Fairfax County, bordering Alexandria City, makes the county's decision critical, especially given the residential community located just 67 feet from the proposed data center.

While developer Starwood Digital Ventures states the data center is proceeding "by right," the five-acre substation still requires public review. A public hearing and vote on the substation are scheduled for September 24th at 7 p.m. Starwood Digital Ventures asserts that two-thirds of the power from the Edsall Road substation will benefit the wider community, not just data centers. Dominion Energy has not yet responded to inquiries. The community's concerns include impacts on quality of life, home values, the environment, noise, and water and energy usage, with a recent Gallup poll indicating widespread public opposition to AI data centers in residential areas.