Takanock pledges on-site power and low water use at data center forum in Strasburg
Takanock, the developer behind the proposed $4.5 billion Project Tallmadge data center campus in Strasburg, Virginia, presented its plans at a public forum. The company pledged to generate its own power and use little water, aiming to be a net power supplier to the community. Approximately 200 residents attended the forum, raising concerns about water usage, power generation, air pollution, and potential impacts on local resources.
Strasburg, Virginia, hosted a public forum where Takanock LLC, a Michigan company, detailed its plans for Project Tallmadge, a proposed $4.5 billion data center campus in the Strasburg Industrial Park. Craig McKesson, Takanock's chief commercial officer, addressed a crowd of approximately 200 residents, assuring them the project would generate its own power, use minimal water, and remain a long-term fixture in the community.
The forum, facilitated by Strasburg Mayor Brandy Boies, aimed to provide information and address pre-selected questions from residents. Concerns were raised regarding the project's energy and water demands. Takanock stated the campus would be a net power supplier to the community via on-site natural gas turbines, and that a closed-loop cooling system would minimize water usage, though initial fill estimates varied. The company maintains the project will not impact the Shenandoah River or local groundwater.
Environmental experts and residents voiced skepticism, particularly regarding the potential for continuous operation of a natural gas plant on-site, which was highlighted by Kyle Hart of the National Parks Conservation Association. Martha Sadlick, a geologist, warned about the site's limestone geology and the risk of pollution entering groundwater. While the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) indicated the area is not a designated groundwater management zone, the DEQ regional director, Brandon Kiracofe, confirmed that the state requires local certification of project suitability before acting on an air permit. Residents also expressed concerns about air pollution from turbines and the need for decommissioning plans and bonds in case of project abandonment.