5/31/24
Coalition to Protect Prince William County – Questions Relating to Data Centers
For Virginia Congressional 7th and 10th District Candidates
Answers provided by:
NAME Terris E. Todd
DATE May 31, 2024
CANDIDATE FOR: U.S. Congress VA-7
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1. Right now, data centers alone account for 20% of the electricity provided statewide by
Dominion Energy, and over 50% of the electricity provided by NOVEC service territory.
Those percentages are growing. Do you think this is sustainable? What is your position
on the growth of Data Centers in northern Virginia over the past decade?
As a former elected county commissioner, I have learned that too much of anything can
be detrimental to the overall well being of a community, with data centers not being
exempt from this fact.
At the current rate of growth of data centers throughout the region, as well as an
increase in population, I do not believe this is sustainable over time without the proper
infrastructure and oversight.
2. The Coalition to Save Prince William County is currently participating in a lawsuit to
block the Digital Gateway, which would site 23 million square feet of Data Centers within
a half-mile of Manassas National Battlefield Park. Will you support Federal legislation to
prohibit Data Centers within close proximity of national parks and historic sites?
Yes. As a nation, we are currently in a battle for preserving our rich history and culture
as Americans. As a former social studies/history teacher in a public school district, the
preservation of historic sites must be a priority in sharing our story with future
generations as well. Unfortunately, the recent data center activities in PWC have caused
great distress amongst the African American community by destroying an historical
burial site of family members and leaders within the community.
3. The growth of Data Centers requires the use of additional power plants, mainly coal-fired
and gas-fired, to provide sufficient “baseload” power, thereby nullifying the purpose of
the Virginia Clean Economy Act passed in 2020. Will you support Federal legislation to
limit Data Centers by requiring that they only use renewable sources and comply with
the federal governments energy star program ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification for
Commercial Buildings | ENERGY STAR?
Yes.
4. Given the explosive load demand from Data Centers that is triggering transmission lines
which cross not only county boundaries but also state lines, is it appropriate that the
Federal government usurp State authority by designating power corridors under the
jurisdiction of NIETC?
In this case, government oversight on every level would be most appropriate, in order to
protect the needs of all residents directly and indirectly impacted by the load demand.
5. Public utilities have a cost sharing structure that spreads investments for new
transmission and generation across all rate payers. Given that the Data Center industry
is the trigger for a significant portion of the new transmission and generation
infrastructure, in what ways do you support a more appropriate cost shift to the data
center industry?
The cost shift should never be disproportionately placed upon the residents paying the
largest share, while also being impacted the most via environmentally and through
changes of infrastructure over time.
6. As a federal official, in order to understand the cumulative impacts of the data center
industry demand on power, water, and agricultural land, will you support a
comprehensive report on the impacts to those critical resources?
Absolutely!!! And I would not support moving forward if those reports conclude that those
critical resources are negatively impacted, threatening the health and safety of our
residents. Let’s not forget Flint, Michigan and many others!!!
7. Please share your understanding of the impacts of data center development on both
ground and surface water resources. How would you address Data Centers’ impervious
surfaces impacts and water consumption to protect access to clean water?
There’s a lot of concerns, and rightly so, of data centers’ use of water for cooling
systems that prevent overheating of their equipment. Some of these centers are located
in areas of drought, like a desert, and some are in areas surrounded by freshwater
sources (like PWC) that must be protected from contamination being released back into
the ground and/or our waterways. With the use of tens of thousands of gallons being
used on a daily basis, local, state, and federal oversight must be utilized along with a
placed demand on alternative use of freshwater sources to protect residents and all
wildlife surrounding these centers.
8. Provide any additional information that outlines steps you have taken to protect citizens
against data center proliferation.
Once being made aware of data centers and their impacts on local communities, the first step I
have taken is going directly to the people who are most impacted by the proliferation of the
centers. This approach has given me a more clear understanding of where the residents are in
their view of how these centers play a major role in the daily lives of their families. I have also
conducted some level of research on the impact of data centers throughout communities across
the country as well. Because of the growing concerns of our residents and the environmental
impacts the centers may have over time, I am more cautious of my support for the ongoing
expansions of these data centers without more proven oversight that has been effective in
protecting the people.
With past experience of handling environmental threats from oil spills to lead poisoning in water
sources, these types of developments are not always in the best interest of the people in the
long run.
9. Will you use your position as a member of Congress to speak to the issue of data center proliferation?
Absolutely!!