Environment group urges data center pause as power demands surge
News ClipFOX 5 DC·VA·9/15/2026
A Virginia environmental advocacy group, the Piedmont Environmental Council, is calling for a statewide moratorium on new data center development. The group argues that the state lacks a comprehensive plan to address the massive new power demand, transmission buildout, and potential effects on water, air quality, and nearby communities. They contend that voluntary promises from major tech companies are insufficient to protect ratepayers from infrastructure costs.
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Gov: Virginia State Government
A Virginia environmental advocacy group is calling for a moratorium on new data-center development, arguing the state lacks a comprehensive plan for the massive new power demand, transmission buildout and potential effects on water, air quality and nearby communities. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Chris Miller of the Piedmont Environmental Council says voluntary promises from major tech companies are not enough to protect ratepayers from infrastructure costs.