Botetourt County data center water planning debate draws protesters, tabled discussion
The Botetourt County Planning Commission faced strong public opposition and protests regarding water planning for a proposed data center. Residents demanded transparency on water usage, accusing county leadership of dismissing the planning commission's request for a transparent meeting. A heated work session to plan a future meeting on water issues was ultimately tabled twice.
Residents gathered in Botetourt County, Virginia, to protest and demand transparency regarding water planning for a proposed data center at a planning commission meeting. Kathryn Hatam, a member of an anti-data center group, accused county leadership of rejecting a prior request from the planning commission for a transparent meeting on water usage, a critical infrastructure concern for the community. The planning commission's request for "full transparency on water usage" was allegedly dismissed by county leadership, who claimed it was outside their purview.
Approximately 50 community members attended the 5 p.m. work session, which Planning Commission Chair Dr. Elizabeth Leffel welcomed, noting the high level of public interest and concern. The session included a heated debate among panel members. The original purpose of the work session was to plan an August meeting to address the water planning issue for the data center. However, the discussion was repeatedly postponed, first to the end of the 6 p.m. hearing, and then again to the commission’s next meeting, indicating a delay in addressing the concerns.