Virginian Warns of Data Centers Bringing Droughts, Higher Electricity Bills
A Warren County, Virginia resident warned the local planning commission against allowing data centers, citing negative impacts observed in other parts of the state. Concerns include higher electricity bills, droughts, tax disputes, and significant budget shortfalls for public services due to tax exemptions for data centers.
The video features a Virginian citizen addressing the Warren County Planning Commission, cautioning against allowing data centers in the county. The speaker highlighted negative consequences observed in other Virginia localities, including Manassas, Prince William County, Fairfax County, and Loudoun County.
Drawing on an article from the Prince William Times, the speaker noted that Digital Realty's Brickyard data center in Manassas, which came online last year, is already disputing its real estate tax assessment. The data center was expected to generate $1.1 million in real estate taxes but does not pay computer and peripheral taxes because its servers belong to an exempt bank. With five more data centers under construction in Manassas, residents have experienced an average increase of $66 per month in electricity bills.
The speaker further criticized the state of Virginia for waiving $1.9 billion in sales taxes for data centers last year, a 118% increase from 2024, resulting in a loss of $267 million in revenue that would have supported public K-12 education, including $38 million for Fairfax schools. Citing Loudoun Now, the speaker also pointed to budget shortfalls in Loudoun County, which operates 200 data centers, projecting significant deficits by 2031 if public school staff are maintained. The speaker urged the Warren County Planning Commission to learn from these "broken promises" and "deception," and to "stand firm against allowing data centers in Warren County," warning of rising utility costs and worsening droughts.