Whether it’s the monstrosity called Villages Technology Park in Gainesville that Wheeler, Franklin, Boddye, Bailey, and Angry approved after being warned it was going to be a mistake; or the admission by Dominion Energy that the utility has neither the transmission line infrastructure nor the actual power generation to support the biggest energy hog on the planet, the data center industry – these supervisors’ decisions are coming back to haunt them at the worst time, at least when it comes to their getting re-elected.
With the news media finally reporting what the community has been warning for months, the community is once again vindicated. Data center blight is spreading like a deadly virus, consuming homes, natural and cultural resources, and every bit of what remains of our reliable energy grid.
“…But finding enough land to build a data center and sufficient electricity to run it can be a challenge. And developers must address community concerns about these behemoth buildings, which are popping up next to housing developments and straining local electricity providers that have struggled to keep up with the demand.”
“…Loudoun County, Va., is a key location for data centers, but nearby Prince William County is also experiencing a boom.”
“… the Digital Gateway, the land is close to Manassas National Battlefield Park, whose superintendent has expressed concerns about “potential irreparable harm” to the site. Ann Wheeler, chairman of the board of supervisors in Prince William and a strong backer of the zoning change, lost her re-election bid in the Democratic primary last week after a grass-roots campaign to oust her emphasized her support for more data centers…”
Citizens have woken up to the disrespect and disregard of our valid concerns — whether it is high taxes, high crime, or data center blight — it is the voters who are feeling the consequences of poor decision-making.
The stakes are too high to get this wrong. Chair Ann Wheeler has made it very clear, she has learned nothing from her loss, and she is willing to risk the integrity of her remaining Board members, and THEIR re-election chances, as THEY enter the general election season.
Supervisors facing challengers in the upcoming November election should seriously consider the advantages of Jeanine Lawson’s resolution for a moratorium on land use decisions post-election. No one needs to run a campaign with a dark cloud/bad press looming over their heads. Read the resolution.
We urge the Board of Supervisors approve the resolution to hold no land use votes during the lame duck session until the new board is seated in January of 2024. Use this easy click-to-send email to put on record your expectation they vote YES to adopt the resolution on July 11 when it comes before the board for a vote.
People can see the plain truth in front of them: sowing division as your political strategy can only take you so far.
Here is Villages Tech Park which was originally intended to be mixed use development.
The map below is of ANOTHER massive 100ft tall transmission line routing that will require at least two substations being constructed and paid for by residents — solely for the needs of data centers which FIVE supervisors approved.
You can do something about all of this. Let the board know you don’t want any more votes on land-use decisions until the new year. Send your email now.