He says a nearby data center made it hard to breathe
A Sterling, Virginia, resident says emissions from diesel generators at a nearby data center irritated his lungs and forced him to leave his home. A study found the facility's on-site power system could cause tens of millions of dollars in health-related damages, while the companies dispute the findings and say regulators found emissions within legal limits.
Greg Piio, who lives in Sterling in Loudoun County, Virginia, said diesel generators at a nearby data center caused throat and lung irritation, including an episode that prompted him to leave his home for his daughter's house. Other neighbors reportedly described respiratory problems, migraines and headaches associated with emissions and the hum of the facility's turbines and generators.
The data center came online last year and built an on-site power plant because it could not connect to the region's strained electricity grid. A study released last year estimated that emissions from the power system could result in tens of millions of dollars in health-related damages for nearby residents. The companies challenged the study's conclusions and said state environmental regulators determined that emissions were safe and within legal limits.