‘A major concern’: More regional residents denounce new data center proposals
Residents in eastern Prince William County, including a senior community in Dumfries, are protesting new data center proposals over environmental risks, noise, pollution, and water consumption. Developers William Cooley of Atlantic Funding LLC and Barrie Peterson of Southgate Business LLC are now proposing six data centers near the Four Seasons community, an increase from an initial three. One project, Quantico Ridge, was withdrawn from board consideration.
Residents of eastern Prince William County, Virginia, are actively protesting a surge in new data center proposals, which they argue threaten their communities with environmental hazards and noise pollution. Among the most vocal opponents are residents of the Four Seasons senior living community in Dumfries, who organized a protest outside the Board of County Supervisors' meeting, carrying signs and chanting slogans like "You can't drink data" to highlight concerns over water consumption.
Developers William Cooley of Atlantic Funding LLC and Barrie Peterson of Southgate Business LLC, who previously collaborated, are now independently proposing three data centers each, totaling six new facilities, adjacent to the 1,400-resident Four Seasons community. This marks a significant increase from their initial joint proposal for three data centers. Residents like Lisa McFarren-Polgar expressed deep worry about the proximity of these industrial buildings to their retirement community, citing potential impacts on their quality of life, Prince William Forest Park, and local waterways like Quantico Creek. Another proposed project, Quantico Ridge, which was near Prince William Forest Park, was withdrawn from board consideration in May.
Community spokesperson Michael Slayter raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting that some supervisors who claim to support residents have accepted campaign contributions from data center developers. Although no data center items were on the board's agenda during the protest, the demonstration aimed to amplify residents' voices ahead of future deliberations. County officials, including Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, briefly interacted with the protesters.