Virginia Congressman Proposes Federal Data Center Rules as Loudoun County Opposition Grows
Virginia Rep. Suhas Subramanyam is proposing a four-part federal plan to address community opposition to data center growth, including siting, power infrastructure costs, energy and water use, and security. The proposal comes as Loudoun County residents raise concerns about noise, encroachment, utility costs and environmental impacts, while Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger advances a state framework for stronger local control and infrastructure standards.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., is advocating a federal plan to create more consistent rules for data center siting and operations as communities in Virginia’s Data Center Alley push back against rapid development. His proposed Fair Share Act would require large power users to cover more of the infrastructure costs they create, while other parts of the plan would address energy and water measurement, siting standards and security risks.
The debate is especially active in Loudoun County, where residents near a large Ashburn data center have complained about noise and encroachment. County officials point to data center tax revenue as a benefit, while Subramanyam says residents also face costs involving electricity, water, air quality and land use. Industry representatives dispute claims that data centers are raising residential power bills.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has separately proposed a framework to strengthen local authority, shift infrastructure costs to major power users and establish water-use and grid-reliability standards. The article also contrasts Virginia’s approach with West Virginia’s effort to attract projects through a microgrid program, which Jefferson County stakeholders have criticized as potentially limiting local control.