Loudoun County board votes to advance pause on data center applications
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted to advance a resolution to pause legislative data center applications for up to 12 months. This pause aims to allow for new regulations to be put in place, addressing concerns such as environmental impact and noise pollution.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 7 to 1, with one abstention, to ask staff to draft a resolution proposing a pause on legislative data center applications for up to 12 months. This action follows a previous exploration of a potential moratorium that the county's attorney deemed illegal.
During the 12-month pause, which specifically targets data centers requiring rezoning or special exemptions, Board Chair Phyllis Randall stated that new regulations can be developed and implemented. Issues such as environmental impacts, health concerns, and noise pollution have been raised regarding data centers. Additionally, the union representing electricians in the county expressed concerns about the potential impact on jobs, advocating for both economic growth and citizen well-being.
A second vote, also 7 to 1, focused on whether this pause would impact grid reliability, specifically power sources. The next meeting is scheduled for October 20th, when the board will vote on the drafted resolution.