Prince William County considers tighter data center rules
Prince William County's Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a proposal to end 'by-right' development for data centers, requiring board approval for all future projects. This change aims to give the county more control over data center placement due to concerns about their size, noise, and energy use. The move is supported by some residents and officials, while others point to the tax revenue generated by the industry.
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on a measure that would terminate 'by-right' development for data centers, mandating explicit board approval for every new data center proposal. Currently, data centers can be constructed in designated areas without direct board consent. Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson stated that the existing policy is obsolete given the increasing size, height, and noise of modern data centers, which often end up near residential areas.
Supporters of data centers emphasize the substantial tax revenue, expected to exceed half a billion dollars this year, and the critical need for data storage in a technology-driven world, citing uses from online banking to telemedicine. However, opponents express significant concerns regarding the facilities' energy demands, their impact on electricity grids and bills, noise pollution, and the industrial development encroaching on homes and sensitive environments. The proposed change would not prohibit new data centers but would empower the county supervisors to make final decisions on each project, a board that has recently rejected data center proposals.