Data centers’ neighbors weigh in on how to manage them
People who live near data centers in northern Virginia have opinions about how to manage them. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images The people of northern Virginia have been living with data centers for many years.
Northern Virginia is home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers, which are facilities that store, process, and manage digital information for businesses and organizations. In 2025, a survey of 1,004 residents in northern Virginia and the Richmond area—two of the state’s largest data center clusters—revealed that locals support stricter regulations to make these facilities more transparent and accountable. Public concerns have grown nationwide about data centers’ high electricity demand and their environmental and community impacts. In northern Virginia, organized opposition has led to legal challenges and project withdrawals, such as the cancellation of a 2,100-acre data center campus proposal in Prince William County in July 2026. This opposition influenced a subsequent decision to reject another 2,000-acre rezoning proposal for additional data centers in the same county.
The survey asked residents to compare pairs of policy combinations that included measures like underground power lines, restrictions on data center locations near homes and parks, environmental impact assessments, and public review requirements. Respondents consistently favored policies with visible and immediate benefits, such as requiring underground power lines (to reduce visual and environmental disruption) and restricting data centers near homes, schools, and parks. They also strongly supported regular reporting of energy and water use by data centers. Public participation in decision-making ranked second among the six policy provisions, highlighting residents’ desire for a voice before projects are approved. For example, in July 2024, residents of Fairfax County’s Bren Mar neighborhood raised concerns about a proposed 466,000-square-foot data center only to learn it could be built without a public hearing due to existing zoning laws.
The survey found less support for policies addressing complex issues, such as whether data centers should be charged higher electricity rates. Infrastructure costs for supporting data centers can increase electricity prices for other customers. Between 2020 and 2025, wholesale electricity prices near data centers in some areas more than tripled. In August 2026, Dominion Energy proposed a rate adjustment that could raise a typical residential bill by about $20 per month due to the rapid growth of data centers in Virginia. While the public may struggle to understand these technical and economic trade-offs, the article suggests that clearer explanations from experts could help residents make informed decisions.
Contrary to assumptions that residents oppose data centers entirely, the survey found that 47% of respondents support data center development in their area, 25% are neutral, and 27% oppose it. These findings indicate that residents are not simply against data centers but want them developed responsibly with proper safeguards. They expect governments to address negative effects, provide public input opportunities, and establish regulations to protect communities. The challenge for communities and leaders is not whether to allow data centers but how to govern their growth effectively. For instance, Loudoun County, known as “Data Center Alley,” ended automatic zoning approval for new data centers in early 2025 and began requiring public hearings before decisions were made.
