Hampton Roads protesters call for statewide pause on new data centers
Hampton Roads residents rallied in Virginia Beach to demand a statewide moratorium on new data center development in Virginia. Protesters cited environmental impacts, higher electricity demands and infrastructure concerns, while supporters said data centers provide jobs, tax revenue and investment.
Residents from across Hampton Roads gathered at Virginia Beach Town Center to urge Virginia lawmakers to pause approval of new data centers statewide. Organizers said existing facilities should remain in operation but that new projects should be halted while officials study their effects on the environment, communities and infrastructure.
Protesters, including residents of Chesapeake and Portsmouth and participating students, raised concerns about deforestation, electrical-grid demand and rising power costs. Supporters of data center development counter that the facilities create construction jobs, generate tax revenue and bring economic investment; Virginia Beach and Chesapeake have separately taken steps to temporarily limit or pause additional expansion while considering future policies.