Data Centers in Virginia

Virginia is undergoing a massive economic, technological and environmental transformation, all centered around the activities of one industry: data centers.

The Problem

The data center crisis that Virginia is facing involves not only the physical data center buildings, but their related infrastructure requirements, their use of resources such as energy and water, and their emissions, including air and noise pollution. All of these elements have significant direct and indirect impacts – on residents and taxpayers, communities and the environment.

Select a topic below to dive deeper.

Existing & Proposed Data
Centers Interactive Map

screenshot of data center web map

How many data centers currently exist in Virginia? How many proposals are in the works? Our map tracks existing and proposed data center facilities…

Transmission Proposals
Interactive Map

Transmission line proposals to serve the explosive growth of data centers in Virginia over the past few years have begun to roll in. PEC has published this online web map to make it easier to view the proposals in one place. 

Air Quality

Most data centers have chosen to use diesel generators for backup power, despite being one of the most polluting forms of energy production.


Data Center Impacts

Virginia today holds the largest global concentration of data centers anywhere in the world. Without swift intervention from our elected officials, data centers will derail critical climate goals and efforts to improve air and water quality, advance land conservation, and protect national and state parks.


Get Involved

People all over Virginia must take action and demand a smarter digital future.

Four Pillars of Data Center Reform

PEC advocates for comprehensive state-level reform that addresses four categories that we call the Four Pillars of Data Center Reform: transparency, ratepayer protections, state oversight, and incentives for efficiency.

VA Data Center Reform Coalition

This growing coalition is made up of environmental, conservation, historic preservation and climate advocacy groups, community members and neighborhoods across the state of Virginia. Join the growing movement.

Resource
Hub

View our list of resources for communities, community leaders and elected officials.


Latest Stories

Loudoun Quarterly Update - Winter 2026

Loudoun Quarterly Update – Winter 2026

This quarterly Loudoun Update includes information on opportunities to speak up on a Leesburg data center application, submit comments on transmission line planning, support solar net-metering programs, and raise environmental concerns in the Mountainside Overlay …
Proposed Leesburg Gateway Amendment Would Allow Data Center Development Near Neighborhoods

Proposed Leesburg Gateway Amendment Would Allow Data Center Development Near Neighborhoods

The Leesburg Gateway data center developer has proposed an amendment to the Town Plan that would allow for data center & warehouse development close to residential neighborhoods in the town gateway …
2026 Data Center Reform Legislation

2026 Data Center Reform Legislation

The outsized impacts of data centers in our communities will again make data center reform a priority for PEC and our partners in the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition during this year’s Virginia General Assembly …
Winter Orange County Updates

Winter Orange County Updates

The new year is off to a busy start in Orange County! Read on to learn more about zoning changes related to data centers and agriculture, an opportunity to weigh in on PFAS-contaminated biosolids, and …
Join Us at the State Capitol on Feb. 9 for Data Center Reform!

Join Us at the State Capitol on Feb. 9 for Data Center Reform!

The Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition will once again host our Data Center Reform Lobby Day in Richmond, VA, providing a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with your legislators and make your voice heard on critical data …
Significant Impacts of Tenaska’s Proposed Gas Power Plant

Significant Impacts of Tenaska’s Proposed Gas Power Plant

Despite the known health and environmental impacts to the surrounding community (detailed below), Tenaska has now proposed a second 1.5 gigawatt plant adjacent to the existing one …
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Golden to Mars Transmission Line Hearing Delayed, Comment Period Extended After Nearly 600 Sign Up to Testify

In September, we encouraged you to submit comments and sign up to testify at the SCC hearings in Loudoun County to voice your concerns and call for undergrounding the Golden to Mars line, and you rose to …
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Culpeper Update: Moving the Needle

In this quarterly Culpeper update, I share some ways we’ve helped to move the needle in a positive direction, as well as provide a few important opportunities to engage with our state elected officials during …
Orange County Residents: Demand Commonsense Data Center Regulation

Orange County Residents: Demand Commonsense Data Center Regulation

This coming Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Board of Supervisors is likely to vote on a proposed zoning ordinance that does not go far enough to protect the residents and natural resources of the county. We …
From above, a view of a crowd of reporters with cameras listening to a group of people speak at a podium.

The PEC Leadership Felt ‘Round the World

Finally, the world is hearing the alarm that The Piedmont Environmental Council has been sounding for years: that the unconstrained and unregulated explosion of the data center industry is forever changing the face of not …