Opinion: Virginia urged to carefully plan for data center development
The article, an opinion piece by Chris Saxman, advocates for transparent and collaborative planning for data center growth in Virginia, rather than an either-or approach. It highlights that Virginians have a direct financial stake in tech companies through their retirement funds and emphasizes the need for responsible development to mitigate risks like grid strain, water conflicts, and local opposition.
Chris Saxman, executive director of Virginia FREE and former state legislator from Staunton, argues that discussions around data center development should move beyond a simple "tech companies versus communities" dichotomy. In an opinion piece for Cardinal News, Saxman contends that communities, businesses, utilities, investors, and public leaders in Virginia must collaborate to support digital infrastructure while carefully planning for the future, ensuring growth is guided by transparency and forethought.
Saxman points out that millions of Americans, including Virginia teachers, state employees, and other public retirees, have a direct financial interest in hyper-scale technology companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, and NVIDIA through the Virginia Retirement System's $122.8 billion investment portfolio. This financial stake means Virginians have a responsibility to shape how the digital infrastructure, essential for AI and cloud computing, is built.
The article emphasizes that poor planning, leading to issues like grid strain, water conflicts, local opposition, and permitting battles, constitutes business risks that can delay projects and damage reputations. Saxman advocates for practical engagement among all stakeholders, including investors, tech firms, utilities, local governments, and environmental advocates, to address concerns about electricity and water consumption, noise, and land use.
He suggests solutions such as smarter grid planning, water recycling, waste heat recovery, and community benefit agreements, urging shareholders, pension trustees, and civic leaders to demand transparency and careful planning. Saxman concludes that building the digital economy "the right way" through cooperation and learning from past mistakes will support public pensions, expand opportunities, and strengthen Virginia's position as a national leader for future generations.