Earth day brings focus to growing data center debate across Southwest Virginia

On Earth Day, residents and experts across Southwest Virginia are expressing heightened concerns regarding the rapid expansion of data centers in the region, specifically noting projects in Wythe, Pulaski, and Botetourt counties. Local groups are advocating for increased transparency and new land use regulations to manage the environmental and infrastructural strain. Andy Kegley, head of Reserve Wythe, is spearheading an Earth Day rally in Wythe County. Kegley emphasizes the "undue pressures on water, electricity and land" caused by data center development and is pushing for a public hearing to adopt a new zoning ordinance. He hopes such an ordinance could either slow or halt future data center projects, while acknowledging that current developments might be grandfathered in. Concurrently, a meeting in Blacksburg addressed the broader systemic impacts of data centers. Daniel Breslau, an Associate Professor in the department of Science, Technology, and Society, highlighted that data centers significantly contribute to the escalating demand for electricity. This demand, according to Breslau, leads to higher costs, increased reliance on greenhouse gas-emitting power sources, and impedes the transition to renewable energy. While supporters point to economic growth, opponents argue that the long-term environmental and infrastructural costs warrant closer scrutiny. In Botetourt County, Google has committed to covering water and power infrastructure costs for its proposed data center. However, experts warn that broader grid upgrades necessitated by such projects could still affect the overall energy system and consumer charges.