This week in Data Center Community Engagement and Regulations
Senate Democrats Push Back on White House’s Data Center Fast-Tracking Plan
A group of Senate Democrats is urging President Biden to rethink potential executive actions to expedite data center construction by bypassing environmental regulations. The proposed measures, designed to accelerate the development of AI-supporting data centers, could allow companies to circumvent clean air and water requirements.
In a letter to the White House, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) voiced concerns about prioritizing data center expansion over environmental protections.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between infrastructure growth for emerging technologies and environmental sustainability, setting the stage for potential policy debates in 2025.
Read The Full Article at E&E News
Marana, AZ Targets Data Centers with Stricter Zoning Rules
The Town of Marana is considering zoning changes that could impose significant hurdles for data center developments. The Town Council will vote on a proposal requiring all data centers to undergo rezoning, effectively removing “zoning by right” for these facilities.
The changes would also redefine data centers as primary or accessory use. Primary-use data centers would need rezoning approval, while accessory-use data centers could only operate in designated industrial zones under strict water, electricity, and energy consumption limits. Additionally, the council is reviewing whether to remove data centers from its economic development target list.
These proposed regulations highlight growing concerns about data centers’ environmental and community impact, including their high energy demands, potential contributions to climate change, and limited job creation. The outcome of this vote could set a precedent for other municipalities navigating similar challenges.
Read The Full Article at Tucson Sentinel
Greensville County Planning Commission Recommends Data Center at MAMaC Megasite
The Greensville County Planning Commission voted unanimously on December 10 to recommend approval of a special use permit for a data center project at the Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMaC). Arup Americas Inc., representing the MAMaC Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, applied, with Arup Principal David Green presenting the details.
Key highlights of the proposed project include:
- A four-building data center campus occupying 13% of the 930-acre megasite.
- The campus will feature parking, an electrical substation, and buildings under 40 feet tall, buffered by existing trees to minimize visibility.
- It is located within the Technology Overlay District, which was established in June to foster data center development.
- Over 160 employees per 24-hour shift are expected to work at the site.
- The facility will likely use air-based cooling systems.
Virginia, already home to the world’s largest data center market, continues to expand beyond Northern Virginia with this new development. Greensville County Planning Director Linwood Pope noted the project’s minimal operational impact and significant income potential compared to other uses.
Stay tuned for more updates as this project progresses.
Read The Full Article at Emporia Independent
Loudoun County Faces Data Center Challenges Amid Growth
Key Takeaways
Virginia, particularly Loudoun County, continues to shape the global data center industry, balancing unprecedented growth with zoning challenges and sustainability concerns. Here’s a summary of the developments:
Loudoun County’s Balancing Act
- Loudoun County, home to “Data Center Alley,” houses over 30 million square feet of operational data centers.
- New zoning proposals aim to move data centers from by-right uses to requiring special exceptions, sparking debate over potential deterrents to investment.
- Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer stresses the need for stability, warning that rule changes could signal unpredictability to investors.
Statewide Expansions
- TECfusions: Investing $300 million in Clarksville for AI-focused infrastructure, including sustainable power generation and adaptive reuse of facilities.
- Iron Mountain: Adding 350 MW across new sites in Richmond and Manassas, adhering to strict compliance standards and using renewable energy.
Environmental and Community Concerns
- Loudoun’s Planning Commission is considering zoning amendments to protect land for other industries.
- Reports, including one by Virginia’s JLARC, highlight that unconstrained data center growth could triple the state’s energy demand, emphasizing renewable energy and infrastructure needs.
Innovative Solutions
- Culpeper, VA, introduces a 690-acre Technology Zone to concentrate data centers, reduce sprawl, and align development with community plans.
Virginia’s leadership in data center development illustrates the need for thoughtful zoning, collaboration, and sustainability to support economic growth while addressing environmental and community concerns.
Read The Full Article at Data Center Frontier
Appomattox Secures $3 Billion Data Center Investment
AVAIO Digital Partners has announced plans to build a $3 billion data center campus at the Appomattox Center for Business and Commerce in Virginia. The deal includes the purchase of 452 acres, strategically located with 300 MW of power secured from Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and Dominion Energy, and access to major fiber routes.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin lauded the project as a milestone in expanding the state’s thriving data center industry beyond traditional hubs, bringing economic growth to rural areas. The facility will feature substantial onsite green power, aligning with AVAIO’s focus on sustainability and innovative design.
Appomattox County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chairman Garet Bosiger, who worked nearly two years on the deal, highlighted the region’s business-friendly environment as a competitive advantage. Bosiger noted the transformative potential of data centers in diversifying the local economy, especially as traditional manufacturing jobs decline.
The project exemplifies Virginia’s appeal as a global data center hub, supported by favorable tax and regulatory climates.
Read The Full Article at Times Virginian
Farmington, MN Faces Lawsuit Over Data Center Plans
The City of Farmington is being sued by the Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development, a group of local residents, over the approval of a data center project by Denver-based developer Tract. The lawsuit raises concerns about environmental impacts, infrastructure costs, and alleged procedural breaches.
Key details include:
- City Approval: Farmington councilors approved the project by a 4-1 vote, finalizing the plat for Farmington Technology Park last month.
- Resident Concerns: Local opposition centers on noise, visual impact, and the potential financial burden of expanded infrastructure for electricity and water.
- Legal Claims: The lawsuit alleges inadequate notification of neighboring Castle Rock Township, failure to complete environmental studies, and breach of contract with Castle Rock Township.
Farmington has declined to comment on the litigation but emphasized a commitment to transparency.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in balancing data center development with community concerns and regulatory processes. Stay tuned for updates.
Phoenix Tightens Data Center Regulations
Phoenix, Arizona, has approved new regulations to manage data center development, addressing concerns about land use, power demand, and limited job creation. The City Council’s December 10 vote aims to shift standalone data centers away from light rail and employment hubs, updating zoning and design standards to guide future projects.
Key changes include updating the city’s general plan, introducing rezoning requirements, and setting standards for location, noise control, and performance. Christine Mackay, Phoenix’s economic development director, emphasized the need for higher job-generating activities in employment corridors, while Mayor Kate Gallego highlighted noise issues from backup generators as a community concern.
This move follows Chandler, AZ, which enacted similar regulations in 2022 after noise complaints from residents living near CyrusOne’s facilities. Arizona remains a data center hotspot due to its reliable power grid, abundant land, and tax incentives, hosting companies like Meta, Google, Digital Realty, and AWS.
Read The Full Article at Data Center Dynamics
Town Hall Discusses Data Center Impacts
Two Prince William County lawmakers, Delegate Josh Thomas and State Senator Danica Roem, hosted a town hall to discuss the findings of a new JLARC report on Virginia’s $9 billion data center industry. While the industry generates significant economic benefits, including contributing one-third of Loudoun County’s tax revenue, the report highlights pressing concerns about energy usage, environmental impact, and community costs.
Key findings include:
- Energy Demand: Data centers are projected to drive a substantial increase in energy usage, making infrastructure development a challenge.
- Rising Costs: Dominion Energy customers could see monthly bills increase by up to $37 by 2040 due to data center energy consumption.
- Community Pushback: Residents question the trade-off between revenue and rising utility costs, especially as the industry disputes property tax assessments in Prince William County.
With 15 years of rapid, unchecked growth, lawmakers like Thomas and Roem advocate for “sensible guardrails” to balance economic benefits with community and environmental concerns. Another town hall, hosted by Delegate Ian Lovejoy, is scheduled for further discussion at Patriot High School.
Read The Full Article at DCN News
The editorial discusses Loudoun County’s challenges in managing unpredictable and massive tax revenues from data centers. While the county has implemented a revenue stabilization fund to address potential shortfalls and employs conservative revenue projections, it lacks a structured approach for managing unexpected surpluses.
The article criticizes the tendency to spend excess funds on non-recurring projects, noting that the county already funds necessary initiatives during its budget planning. This year’s surplus—over 35% of the general government operating budget—is considered too large for discretionary spending. Instead, the editorial suggests directing most of the surplus to reduce debt, bolster the stabilization fund, or provide tax rebates.
It concludes that while the county has strong measures to avoid financial shortfalls, it should adopt similarly robust policies for managing revenue windfalls.
Read The Full Article at Loudon Now
Virginia Makes Fusion Energy History
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) will build the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant near Richmond, Virginia. This groundbreaking project represents a pivotal move for fusion technology, establishing it as a critical zero-carbon energy solution for the future.
Sehila Gonzalez de Vicente, Global Fusion Director at Clean Air Task Force (CATF), emphasized fusion’s transformative potential: “Fusion is no longer a far-off dream—it’s becoming a reality.” She noted that clean, firm power like fusion is essential for meeting climate goals while addressing the increasing electricity needs of AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and data centers.
Virginia, home to 35% of all known hyperscaler data centers, is uniquely positioned for this advancement. As electricity consumption from data centers surges, fusion energy offers a promising solution to support the growing computational power required by AI and HPC. Fusion is also safe, with no risk of chain reactions or meltdowns, and produces only minimal radioactive waste.
Paula Leverett Cobb, CATF’s Senior Southeast Regional Policy Manager, called the decision a milestone: “Fusion power is a clean, firm technology that could help Virginia meet its electricity demands while advancing its clean economy goals.”
CATF’s recent report underscores the synergy between fusion, AI, and HPC, showcasing how advancements like those from CFS are accelerating fusion technology development. Looking ahead, CATF plans to launch fusion safety regulation webinars and work with policymakers to drive this clean energy transition.
