Environmental Activists Challenge Data Centre Expansion in Virginia

Julie Bolthouse, director of the Piedmont Environmental Council, is leading local opposition against the rapid expansion of data centres in Northern Virginia, citing severe environmental impacts and sustainability issues as key concerns.

Environmental campaigners in Northern Virginia, led by Julie Bolthouse, are rallying against planned expansions of data centres, amid rising concerns over sustainability and quality of life. Known as the "Wall Street of the data centre industry", the region houses over 477 data centres, significantly surpassing any other location in the U.S. The area has positioned itself as a data centre hub since the 1990s due to its proximity to the capital, Washington D.C., and historically low costs for electricity and land.

As artificial intelligence continues to drive demand for computing power, global data centre capacity is projected to double in the next five years. However, Bolthouse and fellow environmentalists argue that the increasing number of data centres is negatively affecting the community through their demand for electricity, water, and infrastructure upgrades. They express particular concern over new power lines constructed over conservation land and the use of diesel generators, which deteriorate air quality.

In response to these challenges, Bolthouse’s team is engaging in grassroots activism, opposing individual data centre projects and pushing for more robust local regulations. Meanwhile, similar campaigns are emerging worldwide, with environmentalists in the Republic of Ireland raising alarms about data centres consuming 21% of the nation’s electricity. Activists advise prioritizing renewable energy sources in infrastructure planning and maintaining focus on energy efficiency.

In an effort to address these environmental concerns, major data centre operators are implementing initiatives like Microsoft’s Data Center Community Pledge, aiming for 100% renewable energy globally by next year. According to Josh Levi of the Data Center Coalition, the data centre industry is making strides toward clean energy and could unlock substantial energy efficiencies across other sectors.

Internationally, the movement against data centres has also gained traction. In Uruguay and Chile, protests led to significant changes in data centre designs, especially in response to concerns over water use amid ongoing crises. Activists maintain that addressing sustainability is not only a moral imperative but also crucial for the future viability of data centre operations.

In Virginia, Bolthouse expresses cautious optimism, highlighting that the industry’s long-term interests may lead to necessary environmental improvements: "If we continue with business as usual, electrical prices will skyrocket for everyone, and that impacts them most. It’s critical to focus on these issues, or the consequences will resonate throughout the sector."