Four Virginia Counties Allocate Nearly 20 Million Gallons of Water Daily to Amazon Data Centers, Raising Concerns
Amazon's data centers in four Virginia counties are allocated at least 19.6 million gallons of water daily for cooling, raising significant environmental concerns. Despite Amazon's "water positive" claims, critics question the sustainability of this large-scale water diversion, especially during droughts, and highlight the company's influence in state politics and controversial tax exemptions. The article urges Virginians to closely monitor Amazon's water use as data center development continues.
This article, a commentary by Eric Bonds, Braderick Hatch, and Fiona Steffens from the Virginia Mercury, examines the substantial water usage by Amazon's data centers in Virginia, particularly across Louisa, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and Stafford Counties. Researchers estimate these local governments have allocated at least 19.6 million gallons of water daily to Amazon for cooling operations, a figure they believe is underestimated. The authors contrast Amazon's claims of becoming "water positive" with concerns about the environmental impact of diverting and evaporating vast quantities of water, especially during droughts, and question the company's assertion that cooling water is only needed 4% of the year.
The commentary also delves into Amazon's significant political and economic influence in Virginia, noting its lobbying expenditures and political campaign contributions. It highlights the controversial sales and use tax exemption for data center companies, which legislators estimate costs the state nearly $2 billion annually and is currently a sticking point in state budget negotiations that could lead to a government shutdown.
The authors conclude by urging Virginians to critically assess Amazon's water management and the broader implications of approving more data centers, advocating for increased vigilance against powerful corporate interests.