Environmental advocates challenge data center expansion in Virginia

Northern Virginia activists push back against expanding data centers, citing local environmental impacts from water use and energy demands driven by these facilities.

Emma Woollacott reports for BBC.

In short:

• Northern Virginia, the world’s largest data center hub, faces mounting opposition from residents who say the facilities strain local resources and damage air quality with backup diesel generators.
• Campaigns around the world, including in Ireland and Uruguay, highlight similar concerns, especially around water and energy use, with some companies modifying plans in response.
• Major data center companies like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are responding with commitments to renewable energy and water-conservation goals.

Key quote:

“What’s going to happen if we continue with business as usual is that electrical prices are going to skyrocket for everybody, including the data center industry.”'

— Julie Bolthouse, Piedmont Environmental Council

Why this matters:

Data centers are essential to modern infrastructure but require enormous energy and water, stressing local systems and contributing to pollution. Balancing their growth with sustainable practices is crucial for minimizing environmental impacts in affected communities worldwide.