Hundreds rally at Capital Square urging moratorium on Virginia data center growth
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Capitol Square in Richmond to demand a moratorium on data center development across Virginia. Protesters cited inadequate public input and concerns about the effects of projects on communities, electricity and water, while lawmakers said they may pursue a pause and related safeguards during the upcoming legislative session.
Hundreds of protesters rallied at Capitol Square in Richmond, calling on Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to support a moratorium on new data center development. Demonstrators said residents have been excluded from decisions affecting their neighborhoods and described impacts from projects being built near homes, including difficulty selling property.
The protest comes after the governor declined to support a previous moratorium proposal. Virginia lawmakers said a pause remains under consideration for the upcoming legislative session and suggested that electricity and water safeguards, as well as limits on nondisclosure agreements, could also be pursued. No moratorium or new restrictions had been enacted at the time of the report.