Chesterfield Residents Push for More Accountability as Data Center Development Grows
Dozens of Chesterfield County residents attended a forum about growing data center development and called for stronger accountability, community benefits agreements and greater public involvement. A Google representative addressed seven environmental violations tied to the Project Peanut data center and said the company is taking corrective action with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Dozens of residents attended a data center forum at Brightpoint Community College in Chesterfield County, where county officials and representatives from Google and Dominion Energy discussed ongoing development. County officials said data centers could help reduce the tax burden on residents, but attendees requested greater transparency about the financial benefits and stronger protections for affected communities.
Residents urged Chesterfield County to revise its zoning rules to require community benefits agreements and establish a citizen advisory board for ongoing engagement with technology companies. A Google representative also addressed seven environmental violations cited by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in connection with the Project Peanut data center, acknowledging mistakes and saying the company is working with the agency on corrective actions. The county lists nine ongoing data centers and has three operating campuses, but residents said the forum was only a first step toward meaningful oversight.