Data centers’ neighbors weigh in on how to manage them
Residents in Northern Virginia are increasingly pushing for stricter regulations on data center development, despite the region being a major data center hub. A survey indicates strong public support for policies like underground power lines, restrictions near homes, and transparent reporting on energy and water usage. This public sentiment has already influenced local government actions, leading to withdrawn proposals and changes in zoning approval processes in some counties.
Residents in Northern Virginia, home to the world's largest concentration of data centers, are increasingly advocating for more stringent regulations on data center development, according to a recent survey.
The research, which polled 1,004 residents in Northern Virginia and the Richmond metropolitan area, found strong support for policies addressing visible and immediate impacts. Key preferences included requiring new electricity transmission lines to be built underground, restricting data centers near homes, schools, and parks, and mandating regular reporting of energy and water usage. Public participation in the approval process was ranked as the second most important policy provision.
This sentiment has already led to concrete actions. In Prince William County, public protest and legal action prompted developers to withdraw a proposal for a 2,100-acre, 37-data center campus in July 2026. Shortly after, county officials rejected a separate rezoning proposal for data centers, citing public opposition. Similarly, in early 2025, Loudoun County ended automatic zoning approval for new data centers, now requiring public hearings before decisions are made. Earlier, in July 2024, Fairfax County residents raised concerns about a proposed data center, highlighting how existing zoning laws often bypass public review.
While residents express strong opinions on how data centers should be governed, the survey also revealed nuances: 47% support data center development, 25% are neutral, and 27% oppose it. This suggests a desire for managed growth with robust oversight, rather than outright rejection. The article also touches on less-supported, more complex issues, such as charging data centers higher electricity rates, despite concerns about rising wholesale electricity prices and potential rate adjustments for residential customers due to data center growth. The authors, Fengxiu Zhang of George Mason University and Saba Siddiki of Syracuse University, conclude that communities face the challenge of not just deciding whether to allow data centers, but how to effectively govern their expansion.