A bill introduced by Representative Joshua Thomas (D-21, Prince William County) aimed at restricting data center construction near state and national parks in Virginia was advanced Thursday by a House delegate subcommittee. I ran into a problem at the meeting. Despite Thomas’ advocacy for the bill, it was ultimately debated, leaving supporters disappointed and dissatisfied, Center Square reported.
“My district is hurting. This issue has torn our community apart,” Thomas lamented before the commission’s vote.
Kathy Kulik of the HOA Roundtable emphasized the contentious nature of this issue and highlighted the potential conflict between economic interests and environmental concerns. Kulik noted the impact and threat the data center industry poses to the region and emphasized the need for state-level legislation to guide land use change requests.
“Local areas are overwhelmed by the industry’s tremendous economic influence and intimidation,” Kulik told Potomac Local.
Chap Petersen, who represents residents in the lawsuit against the Prince William County Board of Supervisors over the PW Digital Gateway development, reiterated concerns about the data center industry’s overwhelming impact on rural areas. Petersen criticized the General Assembly’s inaction, highlighting the environmental costs and the need for immediate legislative action.
“The data center industry is overwhelming Virginia’s rural crescent. The environmental costs will be enormous,” said the attorney and former Democratic state senator from Fairfax. “The General Assembly has done nothing for years. Postponing the matter for ‘further study’ is a joke.”
The ongoing legal battle over the PW Digital Gateway development, approved by Prince William’s Overseer in December 2023, highlights the high stakes. Insidenova.com reports that residents, supported by groups such as the American Battlefield Trust, believe that approving a large data center near a historic site like Manassas Battlefield National Park would be a challenge to the region’s character. They argue that this would irreversibly change the country and undermine its historical significance.
A December rezoning vote will allow QTS and Compass Datacenters, Inc. to build a 100-foot-tall data center building on nearly 900 acres in what is billed as the world’s most important data center complex. The road was opened for construction. Battlefields, tourist attractions, and he to the site of the first major battle of the Civil War in 1861.
