Halt New Data Center Permits Before Virginia's Grid and Water Collapse

Virginia needs a moratorium on new data center permits now. The State Corporation Commission reports that Dominion Energy has already approved 111 new data center projects through 2031, with 200 more in the pipeline. If all connect to the grid, they could draw 70 gigawatts — enough to power 60 million homes. That's not growth. That's a takeover of our state's infrastructure at the expense of residents. The costs are landing on real communities. In Botetourt County, Google's planned facility could consume 2 million gallons of water daily while the Spring Hollow Reservoir sits 19 feet below pond level from drought. Across the state, land that could house families is being rezoned for server farms, energy costs are climbing, and backup generators are polluting neighborhoods. Virginia already hosts 35% of all hyperscale data centers worldwide. Enough is enough. Stop approving new data center permits until the state has a serious plan to protect our water, our grid, and our communities. Dozens of Virginians rallied at the Capitol demanding exactly this. I'm one of them.