Two trends converge on Botetourt County: Data centers and solar farms.
Botetourt County, Virginia, is facing increasing development of data centers and solar farms, leading to local opposition. While Google's data center project is proceeding despite protests due to approved zoning, new solar farm proposals are currently before the county's planning commission, drawing active community resistance. The article highlights political contradictions in local opposition to these developments, especially concerning energy policy and property rights.
Botetourt County, Virginia, has become a focal point for data center and solar farm developments, leading to significant local opposition and political tension. Google is proceeding with a data center in the county's business park, a project that is properly zoned and has secured state water permits, despite multiple protests. The opposition to the Google project appears largely symbolic as procedural hurdles are minimal.
Concurrently, two utility-scale solar farms are proposed and are awaiting review by the Botetourt County Planning Commission, attracting widespread