Virginia poll puts data center infrastructure costs in focus

A recent Embold Research poll conducted between August 26-31 surveyed 1,017 registered Virginia voters, revealing widespread concern over electricity costs and data center infrastructure expenses. The poll found that 89% of respondents believe data centers should fully cover the costs of new energy infrastructure built specifically for them, with 80% expressing strong support for this requirement. Furthermore, 64% of voters were extremely or very concerned about their household electricity bills, and a combined 82% indicated that reducing these bills should be a top or important priority for Virginia lawmakers.

The poll's release coincides with significant policy discussions in Virginia. Governor Abigail Spanberger introduced a Data Center Accountability Framework on September 18, which proposes that utilities allocate a larger share of transmission and generation costs to data centers and other high-load customers. Her accompanying executive order directs the state's chief energy officer to advocate with utilities, the State Corporation Commission, and PJM Interconnection to protect households from infrastructure costs driven by large data center loads, including assigning costs from PJM's Reliability Backstop Procurement directly to the responsible data centers. While some framework provisions are being implemented via executive action, others will necessitate legislative or regulatory changes.

Public sentiment against data center expansion was also evident, with 69% of respondents opposing data center construction across Virginia, and 77% opposing it in their local areas. Growing energy demand, including from electric vehicles and artificial intelligence data centers, was cited by 46% as a contributor to higher electricity bills.

Additionally, the survey touched on NextEra Energy's proposed acquisition of Dominion Energy, an issue currently under review by the State Corporation Commission. Though 60% of respondents were initially unaware of the merger, a significant majority (77%) supported requiring a guarantee against customer rate increases if the deal proceeds, and 74% supported mandating data centers pay the full cost of their energy service. Public hearings for the proposed acquisition are scheduled for October 7 in Newport News and October 9 in Fairfax County, with further testimony on November 5, 9, and 10, and an evidentiary hearing beginning November 17 in Richmond.