Virginia congressman says data centers could be a national security target
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has introduced a new bill to address the impact of data centers in Northern Virginia and nationally. The bill proposes that data centers pay for their power use, track water and energy consumption, and guides future development locations. It also aims to mitigate national security risks posed by data centers and their vulnerable power lines.
Northern Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has unveiled a new bill designed to tackle the local and national impact of data centers. The proposed legislation would require data centers to pay for their power use, track their water and energy consumption, and establish guidelines for future development locations.
A central focus of the bill is addressing growing concerns that data centers themselves, particularly the high concentration in areas like Loudoun County, could become national security targets. Congressman Subramanyam cited examples of cyberattacks on data centers in Ukraine and the Middle East, arguing that if an adversary were to attack the US, they would likely target critical internet infrastructure in Loudoun County rather than the White House. He also highlighted the vulnerability of aboveground power lines feeding these facilities, noting that Loudoun County already has a significant number, with more planned by Dominion Energy despite local objections.
The bill includes provisions for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify vulnerable data centers, help fund the burying of power lines near data centers in residential communities, and assess the risks data centers pose to nearby residents. Congressman Subramanyam emphasized that Washington can no longer afford to ignore these evolving threats, asserting that scenarios once confined to spy movies are becoming reality. WUSA 9 reported reaching out to DHS for comment on the bill and security concerns but had not yet received a response.