Data Center Signal is tracking 246 clips about Dominion Energy data center developments across 11 states, including VA, SC, WV, FL, IA.
Cumberland County supervisors approved Dominion Energy's conditional-use permit for the proposed Cumberland Energy Center, a roughly 3,000-megawatt natural-gas power plant off Duncan Store Road. Supporters cite jobs and tax revenue, while opponents have raised concerns about emissions, water use, noise and the project's impact on the county's rural character.
Hundreds of residents from Goochland and Henrico counties gathered to oppose four potential data center campuses in eastern Goochland. Separately, a judge heard Goochland County’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the county’s data center-friendly technology overlay district but took the decision under advisement.
Dominion Energy’s updated Virginia electricity plan projects substantial growth in power demand and higher potential household bills, with changing data center consumption identified as a major driver. The plan is not a request for specific power plant approvals or rate increases, but environmental advocates criticized its reliance on additional natural gas generation.
Rep. Eugene Vindman has introduced the Make Data Centers Pay Act, which would require data centers and high-density computing facilities using at least 20 megawatts to cover the full additional costs of electricity and grid infrastructure they require. Vindman argues that Virginia households should not subsidize corporate expansion through higher utility bills.
Virginia lawmakers are preparing multiple bills that would pause or restrict new data center development statewide, citing rising electricity demand, transmission needs, water use and community impacts. The proposals include moratoriums tied to power-grid interconnection backlogs, while industry representatives warn they could cost Virginia jobs, tax revenue and investment.
Virginia lawmakers have introduced several bills that would pause or restrict new data center development statewide, citing pressure on the power grid, rising electricity costs, water use and community impacts. Industry representatives and electrical workers oppose the proposals, warning they could cost Virginia jobs, tax revenue and investment.
Short Pump residents urged the Henrico County Board of Supervisors to oppose three proposed data center campuses across the border in Eastern Goochland, including a 1,200-megawatt project near Henrico neighborhoods and schools. Residents cited health, air-quality, electricity and water concerns, while supervisors said Henrico has limited authority over Goochland’s land-use decisions and no intent to provide additional water for data centers.
Virginia lawmakers are proposing several bills that would pause new data center approvals statewide, with proposed moratoriums lasting until 2028 or 2030 and another tied to Dominion Energy’s interconnection queue. Supporters cite rising electricity costs, transmission construction and groundwater concerns, while industry representatives and labor groups warn that restrictions could cost Virginia jobs, tax revenue and investment.
Amherst County may soon consider two data center projects as local officials weigh potential tax revenue against rising electricity demand and concerns about energy infrastructure. The article also examines related nuclear reactor proposals in Amherst and Campbell counties and Campbell County’s opposition to the Valley Link transmission line.
Data centers have become a significant economic and political issue in Virginia and across the country ahead of the midterm elections. Northern Virginia voters and officials are debating their effects on utility bills, power demand, water use, jobs and local tax revenue, while some candidates support moratoriums or tighter regulation.
Alexandria officials joined residents and community groups in marching against the planned Plaza 500 data center campus in Lincolnia, Fairfax County. Opposition centers on the project’s potential effects on electricity demand, water use, noise, the environment and nearby neighborhoods, while a Dominion Energy substation needed for the development awaits a Fairfax County Planning Commission review.
Virginia legislators held a town hall in Brambleton focused on residents' concerns about data centers, electricity demand, transmission infrastructure and water consumption. They discussed newly enacted data center electricity taxes and water-use transparency requirements, as well as potential 2027 legislation addressing substations, onsite generation and grid strain.
A power shortage across the Mid-Atlantic is being intensified by rapidly growing data center demand, particularly in Northern Virginia. The article argues that local approvals failed to account for grid impacts and highlights opposition to new substations, on-site power generation and additional data center development, including a call for a statewide Virginia moratorium.
Fairfax County residents and community leaders testified about the proposed Dominion Energy–NextEra Energy merger, with opponents citing concerns about data center growth and higher electric bills. Regulators are accepting written comments through Nov. 9, with a decision expected in January 2027.
A settlement between Colleton County and the Southern Environmental Law Center prohibits data center development across most of the county’s ACE Basin area, including the site of the proposed Eagle Rock complex. The agreement resolves a lawsuit challenging the county’s data center zoning changes, while a previously approved six-month moratorium and related power and pipeline proposals remain part of the broader debate.
T5 Data Centers has applied for a special exception to build a 312,000-square-foot data center in Chantilly, Fairfax County. The proposed Project Charlie would use natural-gas fuel cells for about 48 megawatts of its power, with Dominion Energy supplying up to 27 additional megawatts from the grid.
Dominion Energy is proposing the Zeus transmission line in Appomattox County to supply electricity for a county-approved data center planned on more than 400 acres. About 6,000 property owners received notices, prompting concerns about the line’s route and effects, while Dominion plans to gather public input before seeking state approval.
Virginia’s data center industry is expanding rapidly as artificial intelligence drives major investments from Amazon, Google and Microsoft. The growth is increasing tax revenue and construction activity while intensifying concerns about electricity costs, water demand, environmental pressures and community opposition, particularly in Northern Virginia.
Loudoun County supervisors are considering major changes to data center regulations, including removing grandfathering protections for some pending applications and pausing action on new applications for up to 12 months. County staff estimate that reversing grandfathering could expose Loudoun to $45 million to $60 million in litigation and potentially affect its credit rating, while residents support tighter controls and industry representatives warn of economic harm.
The article examines New England’s interest in expanding nuclear power as electricity demand and energy costs rise, while noting financial, regulatory and political obstacles. In Waterford, Connecticut, a previously considered 300-megawatt data center project was abandoned after public opposition and difficulties negotiating a host-fee agreement.