Virginia Beach protest against data centers calls for statewide moratorium
More than 30 people rallied in Virginia Beach to urge Virginia lawmakers to enact a statewide moratorium on data center development. Organizers cited concerns about data centers’ power and water consumption, as well as impacts on air quality, groundwater, noise and nearby ecosystems; Chesapeake and Virginia Beach have already adopted local moratoriums.
More than 30 residents and environmental advocates marched at Virginia Beach Town Center as part of a statewide tour calling for a pause on data center construction. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network and partner organizations said a moratorium would give Virginia time to establish public health, environmental and economic protections for communities affected by the industry’s rapid growth.
Speakers and residents, including Virginia League of Conservation Voters Hampton Roads field manager Catherine Setaro, criticized what they described as unchecked development. Chesapeake resident Linda Tindell expressed concern that the recently sold former Frank T. Williams farm could become a future data center site, while Michael Jamieson said continued expansion could threaten the region’s natural areas. Chesapeake blocked a proposed 350,000-square-foot facility after resident opposition, and both Chesapeake and Virginia Beach have enacted temporary moratoriums and other restrictions. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has also required local approval for large data center projects that previously could receive by-right approval.