Fairfax County Urges Virginia for Stricter Data Center Regulations to Address Environmental Concerns
Fairfax County supervisors are preparing to push for stricter data center regulations in the upcoming 2025 legislative session of Virginia’s General Assembly. Their proposals aim to increase state and local oversight on environmental impacts, particularly concerning energy and water usage reporting, which data centers would be required to disclose to the Virginia Department of Energy. The Board of Supervisors seeks amendments that would strengthen their ability to address the local environmental and community effects of rapid data center growth.
Residents and officials alike have raised concerns over potential strain on energy resources, water consumption, emissions from diesel generators, and the expansion’s impact on residential areas. Dominion Energy’s recent report highlights data centers as a significant driver of rising power demand in Northern Virginia, estimating an additional gigawatt needed to support current growth. Projections indicate this demand may double by 2028, propelled by the rise of AI and cloud computing.
The state is awaiting a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report in December, which will offer further analysis to guide future regulatory decisions. Fairfax officials are also advocating for state-supported tax incentives to prioritize sustainable data center practices, aligning with the county’s broader environmental goals.
Read the full article at FairfaxNow
County OKs Rumble Data Center
Monroe County commissioners approved plans for a new $1.12 billion, 4.2 million square-foot data center on 948 acres on Rumble Road at I-75 on Monday.
Commissioners voted 4-0 to rezone the northern 525 of the 948 acres from agriculture to commercial to match the 423-acre southern tract owned by James Vaughn and Prime Places LLC. which was already zoned commercial.
Read the full article at The Monroe County Reporter
Global Data Center Regulations: Navigating New Sustainability and Resiliency Standards in 2025
Governments globally are enacting new regulations to make data centers more sustainable and resilient, driving operators to adopt processes to comply. The EU’s updated Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires annual reporting of energy and water use by data centers, with the first submissions due mid-September 2024. However, the rollout has been challenging, with delays in appointing coordinators and incomplete data submissions. Another EU regulation, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), mandates resilience measures, such as cybersecurity protocols and business continuity plans, starting in 2025. This may serve as a model for other regions.
Countries worldwide are also moving toward climate disclosures, with Asia, the EU, and other major economies implementing or planning reporting mandates. For instance, China set a goal for data centers to achieve a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) below 1.5 by 2025, while Australia requires data centers serving its federal government to meet specific energy standards by mid-2025.
The U.S. has been slower to enact federal-level sustainability mandates, though local regulations address community concerns. For example, Chandler, Arizona, limits data center construction to specific areas and requires noise mitigation. Fairfax County in Virginia has also implemented zoning ordinances for data centers.
The article highlights that despite regulatory progress, enforcement and implementation challenges remain, particularly in the EU, where reporting processes are still under development. For operators, compliance involves not only creating facility-level data reporting but also establishing cross-functional teams, new business processes, and employee training programs.
Read the full article at Data Center Knowledge
Stillwater Approves $3B Data Center Project to Boost Local Economy
Oklahoma residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Stillwater Data Center Project, with 72.28% voting “yes” to approve the initiative. This allows OG&E to supply electricity to one to six planned data center facilities, valued at up to $3 billion collectively. The project promises to stimulate the local economy by generating revenue comparable to adding 250 homes valued at $300,000 each, alongside increased revenues from electric consumption and construction use taxes.
Trump’s Second Term Promises Tech Deregulation but Risks Trade Tensions
Tech Target outlines expected shifts in tech industry regulations under President-elect Donald Trump, forecasting a reduction in regulatory pressures but a potential increase in trade-related challenges due to tariffs. Trump is expected to roll back regulations introduced by President Biden, including an AI executive order focusing on AI risk and safety. The deregulation agenda has gained support from notable tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, as Trump’s approach aligns with calls from tech executives for fewer government-imposed constraints.
Trump’s proposed economic strategy centers on bolstering the tech sector to enhance U.S. competitiveness, particularly against nations like China. His administration may repeal measures like Biden’s AI order, seen as restrictive by the tech industry, and minimize government oversight in areas like AI, privacy, and cryptocurrency. However, planned tariffs—10% on imports and up to 60% on goods from China—could pose challenges. These tariffs might hurt consumers and businesses by driving up costs, though they are expected to benefit certain U.S. labor interests. Balancing these impacts will likely be a complex task for the incoming administration.
Read the full article at Tech Target
FERC Evaluates Risks of Co-locating Data Centers at Power Plants
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently held a technical conference to address concerns around co-locating data centers with U.S. power plants, an emerging practice driven by the need for rapid access to massive energy supplies for technologies like AI. Co-location, exemplified by Amazon’s recent acquisition of a data center powered by Talen Energy’s Pennsylvania nuclear plant, allows data centers to bypass grid connection queues but raises significant questions about cost-sharing and grid reliability. Regulators are concerned that co-located data centers may inflate energy costs for consumers and reduce grid reliability if centers draw on public infrastructure for backup power. This has led to objections from utilities and calls for new guidelines governing cost responsibility for transmission and distribution upgrades.
Read the full article at Reuters
Impact of Malaysia’s New Regulations on Google’s Data Center Facility and Industry Energy Demands
Malaysia’s government has introduced stringent guidelines for Google’s new data center, aiming to curb the high energy demands associated with such facilities and support its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. These regulations, announced by Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, require Google to optimize power and water usage. Specifically, the center will utilize water-cooling technology to reduce energy consumption by 10% compared to traditional air cooling, decreasing carbon emissions accordingly.
This regulatory move aligns with Malaysia’s broader initiatives, including the forthcoming Corporate Renewable Energy Support Scheme, which will help companies like Google connect with clean energy providers. This framework could facilitate Google’s use of renewable energy, similar to its battery-powered data center in Arizona.
With global demand for data centers expected to surge by 160% by 2030, fueled by AI growth, Malaysia’s proactive approach highlights the role of governments in spurring innovations for sustainable energy solutions across the industry. The regulations set a precedent that could push companies to prioritize efficiency and sustainability, critical as data centers scale up worldwide.
