Responsible Data Center Development

 

Over the past four years, we have regulated data centers more heavily than any other industry because  we don’t want the unchecked growth that happened in northern Virginia in our community. We worked to protect our farms, neighborhoods, and quality of life while allowing limited development to support  jobs, investment, and our economy. We implemented strong rules to prevent data center sprawl and ensure development happens responsibly.

What I Have Done

  • Convened a community-led data center workgroup to develop stronger regulations 

  • Paused applications for data center-related rezonings for over a year while the workgroup met

  • Supported stronger laws requiring setbacks, screening, and design standards and regulating sound, light, and vibration to limit impact on neighbors

  • Cut in half the number of acres zoned for potential data center development

  • Fought sprawl by limiting development to the area in and  around the old East Alcoa site 

  • Used the County’s APFO rules to limit the amount of water data centers can use

What I Will Do

  • Secure strong agreements requiring developers to make direct investments in our community

  • Preserve five acres of farmland for each new acre turned over to data center development

  • Fight for tougher state energy and environmental regulations to protect our quality of life

  • Advocate for the authority to assess higher taxes on data centers 

  • Invest data center tax revenue in our public schools other services that benefit residents