CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A community in Chesapeake is facing a significant threat from a proposed data center project that has sparked widespread concern among residents.
Elena Schlossberg, a local activist, has been vocal in her opposition to the swift growth of data centers in Virginia, which now boasts nearly 600 such facilities, including many large hyperscale centers.
The rise of artificial intelligence technology has led to a surge in demand for these data storage hubs, creating new tensions within communities like Chesapeake.
As data centers continue to proliferate, they have become associated with high power and water usage, as well as perpetual noise from cooling systems that keep servers functioning optimally.
Schlossberg is a long-time opponent of data center expansion. Her fight began a decade ago when she attempted to halt the construction of an enormous Amazon Web Services facility near her home in Northern Virginia.
The battle against data centers has intensified, especially in areas adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Residents across the country are increasingly alarmed by the potential impact on their quality of life, and many have undertaken grassroots efforts to resist these developments.
In Chesapeake, residents recently discovered a proposal for a data center near their homes, raising questions about environmental impacts, noise levels, and water consumption.
Helen Messer, whose house borders a small water-retention pond close to the proposed site, expressed her concerns about the incessant noise expected from the facility’s cooling systems. “How am I going to relax with something buzzing at me 24/7?” she questioned.
Within days of learning about the proposed data center, local residents gathered at a church social hall to discuss their concerns. Attendees included a representative from the Sierra Club, who provided insights on the implications of data centers in other communities.
Doug Fuller, the developer behind the Chesapeake site, attended the meeting but was met with skepticism from residents. Domestic outrage was palpable as they questioned the decision to place a data center in close proximity to homes.
Fuller attempted to quell concerns, arguing that the facility would be economically beneficial for Chesapeake, stating, “As a developer, I’ll create an asset for our city. Tax revenues will be in the millions of dollars.”
Despite his reassurances about local economic growth, many residents remained unconvinced. They expressed frustration over the project’s potential effects on daily life and the environment.
Lee D’Amore, a resident near the proposed site, articulated the frustration felt by many. He warned that once data centers are constructed, it’s exceedingly difficult to reverse the decision. “There’s nothing you can do,” he lamented.
In response to the proposed development, D’Amore and other residents took action, erecting red “No Data Center” signs throughout their neighborhoods as a symbol of opposition.
At a City Council meeting, a significant turnout of residents voiced their concerns, speaking for over two hours against the project. Council Member Amanda Newins acknowledged community fears, stating, “I think there are viable areas this could go in our city that could flourish, but I don’t think anything near a residential area is viable.”
When the City Council unanimously voted to block the data center, the audience erupted in cheers. For residents like Messer, the news brought a sense of relief. “I’ll sleep better than I have for a month,” she remarked with joy.
Nationally, there seems to be a rising trend of resistance against data center projects. A study by Data Center Watch indicated that 16 projects across the United States were either delayed or rejected between May of last year and March of this year.
Despite this pushback, the demand for data centers continues to escalate, primarily driven by the burgeoning use of AI applications. As the data infrastructure struggles to keep pace with this growth, the question remains: where will all these data centers go?
Diorio, representing the national Data Center Coalition, emphasized the balance needed between community concerns and the economic benefits these facilities can bring. He stated, “The data center industry is building out as quickly as they can to meet that growth and provide the digital services that we all rely on every day. And so far, we’re still behind.”
As discussions about future developments proceed, community voices like Schlossberg and D’Amore remain essential in advocating for residents and ensuring that their quality of life is prioritized in the face of growing technological demands.
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