Data center activity in Virginia
Virginia, the nation's largest data center market, is where local opposition has become most effective, with at least 90 projects blocked and at least 87 zoning denials outnumbering 58 approvals. Moratorium activity is relatively restrained for a market this size, with at least 43 enacted and 11 rejected. At least 27 projects still moved forward despite opposition, and at least 205 companies are active, showing the market's enduring appeal. Developers should expect a more contested process here than in neighboring West Virginia, where projects face far less resistance.
Virginia, the nation's largest data center market, is where local opposition has become most effective, with at least 90 projects blocked and at least 87 zoning denials outnumbering 58 approvals. Moratorium activity is relatively restrained for a market this size, with at least 43 enacted and 11 rejected. At least 27 projects still moved forward despite opposition, and at least 205 companies are active, showing the market's enduring appeal. Developers should expect a more contested process here than in neighboring West Virginia, where projects face far less resistance.
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The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office is seeking information about two masked suspects accused of carrying out three thefts at a data center construction site near Germanna Highway. More than $200,000 in copper piping and a large quantity of power tools were stolen between late September and late October.
Amazon backed away from plans to build four data center buildings on the George Washington University campus in Ashburn after months of community opposition. The company says it will stop signing nondisclosure agreements with local governments and hold more public open houses to improve transparency around future projects.
Two masked suspects allegedly broke into a data center construction site in Culpeper County three times within a month, stealing more than $200,000 in copper piping and a large quantity of power tools. The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office is investigating and asking the public to help identify the suspects.
The editorial argues that Virginia lawmakers should strengthen air-quality oversight of data centers after diesel backup generators at Vantage Data Centers’ Sterling campus operated during a power failure. It says the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality lacks sufficient authority over many data center air permits and supports Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s proposed review of natural-gas power and diesel backup systems.
Amazon withdrew plans to build four data centers on its George Washington University campus site in Ashburn after community and government opposition. The company also says it will improve transparency, while Loudoun County considers pausing new data center applications for a year amid concerns about energy, water use, noise and land use.
Amazon has abandoned plans for four data centers at the former GW campus in Ashburn after community opposition and concerns about data center growth. The company and Loudoun County are pursuing a mixed-use redevelopment instead, while county supervisors postponed consideration of a potential one-year pause on new data center approvals.
Residents in Roanoke's Grandin Village rallied as part of a statewide effort calling for a moratorium on data center development. The event reflects active opposition to data center expansion, but no specific government action or project decision is reported.
Roanoke Valley residents rallied in Grandin Village to call for a moratorium on data center development. The event was part of statewide demonstrations organized by several environmental and community groups.
Amazon says it will stop signing nondisclosure agreements with local governments and hold more public meetings as it responds to opposition to data center projects. The company recently dropped plans for four data center buildings at George Washington University’s Ashburn campus after community resistance.
Suffolk City Council approved an indefinite, citywide prohibition on data centers, making them prohibited in every zoning district. The ordinance closes gaps in the city’s development rules but allows the council to reconsider the ban in the future under stricter regulations.
Suffolk City Council unanimously approved a temporary prohibition on data center development and applications, allowing city planners time to develop new regulations. The ban has no specified end date and is expected to be replaced by rules that would allow data centers under terms acceptable to the city.
Takanock is proposing the $4.5 billion Project Tallmadge data center campus in Strasburg, supported by a natural gas turbine plant and backup generators. A review of company filings and public records found that the turbines are intended primarily for backup power, with limited potential electricity sales to the regional grid, while the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality reviews the air permit.
Suffolk City Council unanimously approved a prohibition on data centers and will stop accepting applications while planning staff develop new regulations. The temporary ban has no specified end date, and the ordinance also adds a formal data center definition to the city’s zoning rules.
Authorities are seeking two men accused of repeatedly stealing copper piping and power tools from a data center construction site in Culpeper. Investigators say the stolen copper was worth about $200,000 and that the suspects were captured on surveillance video.
Suffolk City Council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium stopping new data center projects until the city adopts rules governing the industry. City planners are developing restrictions and determining where data centers may be allowed, but no timeline has been set for lifting the ban.
Amazon canceled plans to build data centers on a 122-acre George Washington University campus site in Ashburn, Virginia. The decision followed widespread resident opposition and an agreement with local officials, with most of the land expected to be repurposed for mixed-use and residential development.
More than 200 residents rallied in Roanoke’s Grandin Village to demand a statewide freeze on new data center approvals. The protest was prompted by Google’s evaluation of a campus in Roanoke County and active construction activity for a proposed campus in Botetourt County, with residents citing concerns about water, electricity, environmental impacts and secrecy.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors held a panel discussion to learn about the potential impacts and requirements associated with data centers. Speakers discussed water availability, tax agreements and lessons from other localities, including Mecklenburg County, but no project or vote was before the board.
A statewide poll of 1,100 registered Virginia voters found that support for data centers in local communities has declined sharply. Only 35% of respondents said they were comfortable with data centers in their communities, compared with nearly 70% in a similar 2023 poll.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 4-2-1 to use eminent domain to acquire nine parcels needed for a county-owned reuse water pipeline serving data center cooling systems. Several property owners, including the Somerset Landing homeowners association, opposed the pipeline route, while county officials said the system will provide public infrastructure for industrial cooling.