“Like many Americans, I have been following the rise of energy demands, across an increasingly fragile grid and aging infrastructure. The rising energy demand in America has quickly become a national security concern—from the emergence of foreign hackers, to our ongoing, crippling reliance on oil from the Middle East.
One of the biggest areas for future consumption seems be the rise of much-needed data centers, many of which are being housed right here in Northern Virginia. A recent Axios article projected that data centers will comprise more than 30% of energy use in the Commonwealth, by 2030. In other words, it’s not just that it’s increasing, but it’s increasing at any increasing rate—much like compounding interest. That said, it’s hard to predict (with any specificity or certainty) what percentage these data centers will actually comprise, in terms of our energy grid or the environment itself. However, as Senator, I believe there is a both a short-term solution, as well as a path toward long-term sustainability.
In the short-term, we need to fortify our utilization of natural resources. Virginia is rich in many areas, not the least of which, are the coal mines scattered across the southwest region of the state. There are coalminers who need jobs and this would provide an immediate source of energy that comes with little start-up cost and almost no reliance on foreign energy or oil.
In the long-term, we need to consider a broader nuclear energy plan in the Commonwealth. Not only is it the cleanest and most efficient form of energy creation, but there are already two nuclear plants currently operating in Virginia—located in Surry and North Anna—which provide 95% of Virginia’s carbon-free energy, according to the Virginia Department of Energy. While slowing or otherwise mitigating the energy demands of an increasingly mobile, on-line, American consumer base is a more complex conversation, the means of providing clean, reliable, energy to address those needs has been right in front of us all along. I support Governor Youngkin’s decision to build a Small Modular Reactor in the southwest part of the state and I hope this provides a pathway and trendline for future investment, in the years ahead.
Finally, when it comes to shouldering the cost of these innovations, I believe there is a shared responsibility among our corporate partners, as well—both financially and otherwise. While it’s up to elected leaders to find safe, reliable solutions and implement safeguards when it comes to energy demand, the cost of those solutions should not fall squarely on the shoulders of hard-working tax payers across the Commonwealth. This is not about wasting money, it’s about investing in our future.”
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