​​Key Concerns about the Data Center Proposal
 

Environmental Concerns

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• Massive Energy Consumption: Data centers consume immense amounts of electricity, with estimates suggesting they could use up to 9% of U.S. electricity by 2030. This strain on local grids often leads utilities to delay the shutdown of fossil fuel plants or add natural gas capacity, undermining climate goals and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

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• Water Depletion: Large data centers use millions of gallons of water daily for cooling, which can strain local water supplies, aquifers, and wells, especially in drought-prone or water-stressed regions.

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• Watershed Risks: The Chickahominy River headwaters could be impacted, affecting wetlands and the downriver municipal water supply (Hampton Roads).

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• Air Pollution: Data centers rely on numerous large diesel generators for backup power. Regular testing and emergency use of these generators release significant amounts of pollutants like particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), posing health risks to nearby residents. Diesel generator emissions (NOx, PM2.5) are linked to asthma, lung development problems, heart disease, and cancer.

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• E-Waste and Land Use: The rapid turnover of technology in data centers creates substantial electronic waste (e-waste) containing hazardous materials like lead and mercury. Furthermore, these sprawling facilities require large tracts of land, often converting agricultural or green spaces into industrial zones and destroying wildlife habitats. 

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Community and Economic Impacts

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• Noise Pollution: The constant "drone" or "hum" from cooling systems and fans is a major complaint from nearby residents, reportedly causing stress, sleep disruption, migraines, and a reduced quality of life.

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• Increased Utility Bills: The high demand for energy can drive up wholesale electricity costs and force utilities to invest in costly infrastructure upgrades, the expense of which is often passed on to local residents through higher rates.

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• Limited Local Jobs: While construction provides temporary jobs, completed data centers are highly automated and require very few permanent on-site employees (sometimes as few as 50), failing to deliver the promised long-term economic benefits or high-paying tech jobs to the community.

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• Ineffective Tax Breaks: Data center companies often receive significant tax abatements and incentives, which can reduce local tax revenues that would otherwise fund schools and public services, effectively shifting the financial burden onto local taxpayers.

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• Reduced Property Values: The presence of a large industrial facility, with associated noise, light pollution, and visual impacts, can lower the market value of nearby residential properties.

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• Lack of Transparency: Tech companies often use shell corporations or non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to obscure details about their resource consumption and operational impacts, making it difficult for communities to assess the potential harm and advocate for their interests.

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• Strain on Infrastructure: Beyond the power grid, data centers can strain local water and transportation infrastructure. Building new facilities often requires extensive and costly infrastructure upgrades, which local governments and residents may end up subsidizing.