Google Data Center plans change in Botetourt County
Google's proposed data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, is facing continued community pushback regarding its water usage. The Western Virginia Water Authority rejected an initial proposal for 10-11 million gallons daily, instead capping usage at 8 million gallons for the entire campus. Despite Google's plans to incorporate air-cooling technology, residents remain concerned about the environmental impact.
Google's proposed data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia, continues to face community pushback, primarily over water consumption. Initially, Google proposed using between 10 to 11 million gallons of water daily from the Carbon Scope Reservoir.
The Western Virginia Water Authority rejected this initial request, subsequently approving an agreement that caps Google's total water usage for its three-building campus at 8 million gallons per day. Recent changes to the project include one building now set to use air-cooled technology instead of water-cooled systems, a development that Google hopes will alleviate concerns.
However, residents like Catherine, a Botetourt County local, expressed skepticism, stating that the changing numbers feel like an attempt to "overwhelm people" and that air-cooled systems are "just a different type of bad." While the water authority maintains its long-range supply plans can handle the projected increase and meet demand through 2060, residents' concerns persist.
A public meeting is scheduled for August 25th to further discuss long-term implications.