Virginia is known as the “data center capital of the world.”
As technology continues to evolve, many are concerned about the effects of those facilities on local communities, including neighborhoods and environmental resources.
“For those who have lived in the shadow of these facilities, they understand completely what this means,” said Kathryn Kulick, an HOA Roundtable representative in Virginia. “It’s completely disrupting normal everyday life. “
Prince William County delegate Josh Thomas sponsored a bill focused on data center reform – HB1601. Under the bill, data site applicants would have to perform site assessments to examine the effects of the facility on water and agricultural resources, parks, historic sites and forestland.
It would also review noise impacts on schools and neighborhoods within 500 feet of the data centers.
The bill was vetoed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Arielle Hixson over at NBC 4 Washington
