This week, Pittsylvania County, VA, made headlines by firmly rejecting a hotly contested 750-acre data center and onsite power proposal after six months of public debate and protests. The Board of Supervisors denied the rezoning application in a 6-1 vote and blocked the developer’s last-minute withdrawal attempt, effectively delaying any reapplication for a year. The decision underscored the project’s deep community opposition, focused on rural preservation and environmental concerns, and spurred calls to update the county’s comprehensive plan as more proposals are expected.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield County, VA, took the opposite approach—advancing two massive data center rezonings and a 350-acre conservation initiative with unanimous support from the Planning Commission. The proposals would rezone over 1,300 acres for data center development and include environmental conditions such as water-use restrictions, building height caps, and green buffers. In Georgia, residents in Coweta and Monroe counties voiced escalating concerns over the pace and placement of large-scale data center projects, warning of traffic, ecological impacts, and loss of small-town character. Public hearings are set to continue in both areas.
Nationally, data centers are coming under increasing regulatory scrutiny. Arizona formally reviewed whether large users like data centers are paying their fair share of grid costs. A new Harvard report warns that special utility contracts could shift infrastructure expenses to consumers, raising calls for tariff reforms. Meanwhile, Colorado lawmakers advanced a new incentive bill to attract data center investment, though critics fear environmental and community tradeoffs.
Pittsylvania County Rejects Controversial Data Center Project After Months of Debate
In a decisive 6-1 vote, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors rejected Balico’s application to rezone 750 acres of agricultural land for a proposed 12-building data center campus and onsite power generation near Chatham. The project had dominated local discussion for six months and drew sharp opposition over environmental, aesthetic, and community impact concerns. A packed public meeting at Chatham High School featured more than 40 speakers—most opposing the development—many wearing protest T-shirts and holding signs reading “No Power Plants, No Data Centers in Rural Neighborhoods.”
The board also voted 5-2 to deny Balico’s last-minute request to withdraw its application without penalty, meaning the company must now wait a full year to submit a new proposal. Balico had previously withdrawn a larger 2,200-acre plan in November. While a few local leaders supported the project for its promised tax revenue and infrastructure improvements, board members cited a lack of community buy-in, inadequate planning details, and lasting community division as key reasons for the denial.
Chairman Robert Tucker noted this would likely not be the last data center proposal the county faces and called for updates to the county’s comprehensive plan to help guide future decisions.
Read The Full Article at Cardinal News
Chesterfield Planning Commission Backs EDA’s Dual Data Center Push and New Conservation Area
The Chesterfield County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval for two major data center rezonings sought by the Economic Development Authority (EDA), advancing 1,300+ acres of land in the county’s western region. One site—Upper Magnolia Green near Moseley—would rezone nearly 980 acres, with 870 acres limited to data center development and related uses, while a smaller 100-acre portion allows for broader industrial applications. The plan includes significant buffering and a new connecting road.
The second proposal, Watkins Centre South, would strictly rezone 350 acres near Westchester Commons for data centers and infrastructure like substations. Both sites currently contain land zoned for general industrial use, but the EDA seeks to expand these areas. Building height and noise limits are part of the proffered conditions, and officials highlighted advanced water usage restrictions as a key environmental safeguard.
Additionally, the Commission approved the creation of a 350-acre conservation area called Swift Creek Preserve on the eastern side of Upper Magnolia Green. This would remove planned residential development from the site and support outdoor recreation and education. All proposals now advance to the Board of Supervisors for final consideration.
Read The Full Article at Richmond Biz Sense
Coweta County Debates “Project Peach” as Residents Voice Concerns Over 320-Acre Data Center
Coweta County, Georgia, is the latest flashpoint in the state’s growing tension over data center development. At a public hearing this week, residents and local officials expressed concerns about “Project Peach,” a proposed 320-acre, eight-building data center campus near Palmetto that would be completed by 2036. While developers emphasized air cooling over water, critics—led by Palmetto’s mayor—warned of long-term environmental, quality-of-life, and historic preservation impacts.
This debate mirrors broader trends across Georgia, where rapid AI and cloud-driven data center expansion is drawing resistance in more populated and historically sensitive areas. Other communities, including Bartow and Douglas counties, have recently pushed back on similar projects, with Atlanta already enacting zoning limits to curb data center growth near urban transit corridors.
Read The Full Article at Fox5 Atlanta
Monroe County Open House Yields Mixed Reactions to Proposed 900-Acre Data Center
A proposed 900-acre, 9-building data center near Highway 41 South in Monroe County, Georgia, is facing growing skepticism from nearby residents despite outreach efforts by developers. At a recent open house, attendees voiced concerns over ecological impacts, traffic congestion, and the facility’s compatibility with Bolingbroke’s small-town charm. While project representatives from engineering firm Thomas & Hutton touted the center’s $133 million economic impact and 275 new jobs, locals like Margo Kenirey questioned whether the site is better suited for housing or small businesses.
Developers said they will consider feedback on visual buffers and community integration. A public hearing is scheduled for April 28 at Forsyth City Hall as the project heads toward commission review.
Read The Full Article at 13WMAZ
Rising AI Demand May Shift Utility Costs to Consumers, Experts Warn
A new Harvard Electricity Law Initiative report warns that U.S. consumers may unknowingly foot the bill for the rising energy demands of AI-powered data centers through opaque special contracts between utilities and data center operators. Often approved without full transparency, these contracts can allow utilities to shift infrastructure and energy costs onto residential and small business customers. Experts urge regulators to replace such contracts with uniform tariffs, ensuring data centers pay equitably for their grid impact.
The issue is compounded by potentially inflated load forecasts, which are prompting utilities across the Southeast to plan major and possibly excessive natural gas infrastructure buildouts. Without regulatory caution, this could saddle consumers with costs for unnecessary expansion. Internationally, the U.K. is considering zonal pricing reforms, which may lead to higher electricity prices for much of the country, although the direct retail impacts remain uncertain. Across the board, analysts stress the need for stronger oversight, grid investment, and equitable cost-sharing as AI accelerates data center growth.
Arizona Launches Formal Review into Data Center Energy Costs and Infrastructure Impact
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has initiated a formal review into the impact of rapid data center expansion on the state’s energy infrastructure and ratepayers. Announced by ACC Chair Kevin Thompson, the review aims to evaluate whether current policies fairly allocate infrastructure costs to large electricity consumers, such as data centers, instead of burdening residential and small business customers. The process will also examine options like behind-the-meter energy agreements, which are currently open for public and stakeholder input. With 129 data centers now operating in Arizona—including Meta’s newly online 2.5 million-square-foot Mesa facility—the ACC is proactively assessing future regulatory needs in response to the sector’s growing footprint.
Read The Full Article at Data Center Dynamics
Colorado Considers Data Center Tax Incentives to Compete Nationally
A bipartisan Colorado bill (SB 280) aims to bring the state into the competitive data center landscape by offering 100% state sales-and-use-tax exemptions for up to 30 years to developers who create at least 25 full-time jobs. The legislation, advanced by the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee, responds to concerns that Colorado is missing out on major investments as other states provide stronger incentives.
Supporters argue the bill could revitalize transitioning communities like Pueblo County and help offset economic losses from coal plant closures. However, critics—including environmental groups—warn of increased grid strain, water usage, and insufficient community benefits. Opponents also note that the bill removed earlier language, prioritizing “just transition” zones. Still, data center advocates say the proposed incentives are more modest than other states’ packages and include requirements for environmental plans and prevailing wage standards.
With Colorado currently lacking large-scale data centers, sponsors say the bill would finally give the state a seat at the table in a booming $300B+ national industry.
Read The Full Article at TSS Colorado
Adam Waitkunas
