Pro-Trump group to rally against data centers in Bren Mar this afternoon
A conservative group, Humans First, is holding a rally in Bren Mar, Fairfax County, Virginia, as part of a national "Data Center Revolt" bus tour. The rally targets Starwood Capital Group's planned Plaza 500 data center, which faces local opposition over its proximity to homes and environmental impacts. Local residents and officials are involved in the ongoing efforts to oppose the project and its proposed electrical substation.
A national "Data Center Revolt" bus tour, organized by the grassroots conservative group Humans First and led by Amy Kremer, is making a stop in Fairfax County, Virginia. The group will hold a press conference in Bren Mar this afternoon to rally against Starwood Capital Group's proposed Plaza 500 data center, which local residents have opposed for years. Humans First advocates for an "America First AI policy" that gives local communities control over data center development, though they do not support a moratorium.
The Plaza 500 data center, a 34-acre project by Starwood Capital, is planned for 6299 Edsall Road in Lincolnia. Building plans for the first phase are currently under review by Fairfax County staff. Additionally, an electrical substation proposed by Dominion Energy to power the facility requires approval from the Fairfax County Planning Commission; a public hearing for this approval has been postponed to December 2.
Local opposition, including the Save Bren Mar Coalition led by Tyler Ray, has gained momentum, citing concerns about the project's proximity to homes and its potential environmental impacts. Ray emphasized that his participation in the Humans First event is to represent all residents opposed to the data center, transcending political viewpoints, as he believes the negative consequences of data centers on air, water, energy, and the economy affect everyone.
The article also references a recent poll indicating bipartisan national concern over the environmental and local impacts of AI and data centers. The poll shows about 6 in 10 Americans support limiting new data centers, and two-thirds support requiring data centers to use clean energy sources. Despite these concerns, some Americans, like Mary Fisher from Jacksonville, Florida, report not being personally affected or concerned by data center developments in their immediate area.