Virginia Governor Discusses Data Center Energy Tax; Fairfax County Residents Voice Concerns Over Plaza 500 Project
Virginia's Governor Abigail Spanberger reported a $2.1 billion revenue increase for the state, with $600 million attributed to a new energy consumption tax on data centers. Meanwhile, Fairfax County residents attended a meeting to express concerns over the Plaza 500 data center plans near Alexandria, with a public hearing for an electrical substation for the project scheduled for September 24.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced a significant financial win for the state, with a $2.1 billion increase in general revenue funds for the fiscal year that ended in July. A portion of this, an additional $600 million, is projected to come from a newly implemented energy consumption tax on data centers. While highlighting these fiscal successes, the governor also acknowledged a loss of 43,600 jobs due to federal shifts.
Separately, data center development continues to draw public attention and concern in Fairfax County. Residents from eight different ZIP codes reportedly filled the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library on Saturday, August 15, to discuss the Plaza 500 data center plans. This project is slated for a location just outside Alexandria city limits. The Fairfax County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for September 24 to review plans for an electrical substation, a critical component for powering the proposed data center.