Data Center Next Door: Virginia Neighbors Say They Can’t Escape the Noise
Residents in Sterling, Virginia, say an 800,000-square-foot data center operating around the clock has created persistent noise, exhaust and intrusive lighting in their neighborhood. They argue the facility’s impacts were not adequately disclosed and want other communities to understand the consequences of data center development nearby.
Residents of a Sterling, Virginia, neighborhood describe living beside an 800,000-square-foot data center that operates continuously. They report hearing a high-pitched whistle through their homes, including overnight, while backup diesel generators produce fumes that residents say drift over their houses and leave an unpleasant taste in the air.
The investigation also highlights bright security lights shining into nearby homes. Although the company has promised changes, residents remain dissatisfied and say their experience should serve as a warning to communities considering data center development.