Prince William County Board Denies Major Data Center Complex Plan

Prince William County Supervisor Kenny Boddye announced that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously voted to deny the initiation of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the proposed Dulles South Innovation Center. This development, if approved, would have encompassed approximately 1,900 acres and up to 43 million square feet of data center facilities, potentially making it the largest complex of its kind globally.

Supervisor Boddye explained that the decision, while significant, was necessary due to profound concerns from residents regarding the development's impact on their homes and communities. Key issues cited included grid strain, noise, emissions, water demand, and the overall cumulative effect of placing such massive industrial uses near existing residential areas. He emphasized the importance of managing inevitable growth through careful planning and setting high standards for large-scale projects, rather than simply accepting every proposal.

Boddye also highlighted the broader challenge faced by local governments, which are often tasked with making decisions on nationally important industries like data centers without adequate state and federal tools to manage local impacts. He advocated for greater authority in regulating power demand, water use, and air pollution, and for a tax structure that ensures communities hosting this infrastructure receive a fairer return. While the county has taken some steps, such as raising the Computers & Peripherals tax rate and proposing to examine lifting the Consumer Utility Tax electricity cap for large users, Boddye stressed that more comprehensive regulatory tools are needed. The recent vote, he concluded, provides crucial time and space for the county to collectively shape its future regarding growth and land use.