In Virginia, the world's data center capital faces mounting opposition from local residents

Loudoun County, Virginia, has emerged as the world's leading hub for data centers, earning it the moniker "Data Center Alley." This rapid development includes facilities like an Amazon Web Services data center in Haymarket and accounts for 12% of the global capacity for hyperscalers, the internet's data management giants. The region currently hosts approximately 200 data centers, covering about 5 square kilometers. According to Julie Bolthouse, director of land use at the Piedmont Environmental Council, an additional 285 million square feet (over 26 square kilometers) of data center space is either approved or seeking approval in Virginia, much of it concentrated in northern Virginia. This scale is likened to 1,500 Walmart supercenters. However, this extensive growth has ignited a significant counter-movement, with mounting opposition from local residents across the United States. Concerns are primarily focused on the highly visible structures and the substantial energy consumption associated with these developments.