Virginia has become the data center capital of the world—but now, local communities are pushing back.

A new national study shows that nine major data center projects in Virginia have been blocked or delayed due to public opposition. Across the state, residents are raising the alarm over soaring power bills, non-stop noise, environmental degradation, and land-use decisions made without local input.

Despite these concerns, new mega-projects keep moving forward. From Loudoun to Prince William, to Culpeper, data centers are reshaping our landscapes—while draining our energy and overwhelming our infrastructure.

We’re calling on the Virginia General Assembly, Governor Glenn Youngkin, and the Virginia State Corporation Commission to:

• Pass a statewide data center siting law to limit how close data centers can be built to homes, schools, and natural areas
• Mandate environmental impact studies for any new data center development
• Create a public review process that ensures transparency and gives residents a real voice
• Enforce strict water and energy use regulations so costs aren't shifted to homeowners and small businesses
• Pause all new state subsidies for data centers until community and climate protections are in place.

As energy costs rise and land use becomes more contested, Virginians are rightly asking: Who benefits from all this growth—and who pays?

We don’t oppose innovation. But it must be balanced with environmental responsibility, democratic oversight, and the protection of local communities.

We’re proud that Virginia is leading the nation in demanding accountability from big tech and real estate developers. Now it’s time to take that leadership statewide.

Let’s make Virginia the first state to set smart, people-first limits on data center expansion.