Coalition to Protect Prince William County – Questions Relating to Data Centers
For Virginia Congressional 7th and 10th District Candidates
Answers provided by:
Michelle Lopes Maldonado
May 30, 2024
U.S. Congress, VA-10
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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? (Please
provide response here)
I am a technology attorney by training. I am someone who spent years working.
with new and emerging technologies before becoming a legislator who founded the Virginia
General Assembly’s Technology & Innovation Caucus, stood up its AI Work Group and serve
on a national steering committee of an AI Work Group comprised of state legislators from
around the country. I understand the intersection of these technologies with our
communities’ and nation’s most precious resources.
The growth of data centers over the past decade has been exponential from Loudoun to
Prince William County (and progressing further southward to more rural areas of Virginia).
While they generate substantial commercial revenue for localities, their growing presence
also presents both significant challenges and opportunities for our residents and
communities that should be resolved in collaborative partnerships where our residents’
voices are heard.
I view data centers from the lens of three categories: placement, proliferation, and impact. I
do not believe that data centers should be placed on/near protected lands, in
neighborhoods or next to schools. While the decision of how to develop local lands and
selection of ways to grow commercial revenue are local decisions and we must balance
their presence with growth and opportunity, I believe that careful consideration and rules of
engagement are needed to address the proliferation of data centers within our
communities. Lastly, impact. I was pleased to co-sponsor legislation that supported
assessments and impact studies in Virginia. I support the completion of independent, thirdparty impact assessments to determine impacts on soil, water, habitat, power grid, noise,
and residential communities before a decision is made about whether to grant approval of
a data center. I further support establishing uniform best practices at the federal level
(done in cooperation and collaboration with local and state governments and industry) that
offer a clear and cohesive framework of consistency, growth, and protection. Part of the
assessment and best practices must be forward visioning – establishing power and clean
energy requirements, considering security risks and potential targets that may be for cyber
or other attacks. As technology evolves, such assessments should also question whether
such large-scale buildings will be necessary. What happens at end of life? Will the power
grid be able to support it without adverse impact on local communities, state power
sources, and water? Is there a local, state, or national impact if these data centers that are
powered by AI (or not) are rendered nonoperational, what is national security or other risk,
harm, and collateral damage? Finally, as we progress toward cleaner, greener energy, I
would work to ensure that any approved data centers work to further reduce water and
electricity consumption, helping to make the centers more cost efficient and
environmentally friendly.
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 halfmile of Manassas National Battlefield Park. Will you support Federal legislation to prohibit
Data Centers within close proximity of national parks and historic sites? (Please provide
response here)
Yes. As noted in my previous response, I do not believe that data centers should be placed
on or in close proximity to protected lands, or near schools or residential communities.
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? (Please provide response here)
Yes. I would bring forward and support the requirements of only using renewable sources.
As noted in my previous response, without usurping local authority, the federal government
can and should establish clear guidelines, standards, and requirements related to data
center placement and impact, which includes establishing clear energy requirements for
data centers within our Commonwealth and in our nation.
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? (Please provide response here)
Yes. Under NIETC, the Federal government can take this action for the purpose (in part) to
avoid potential harm to residents. In the case of our local data centers, it is worth exploring
how we can designate power corridors under NEITC as we do not have the grid/power
infrastructure in place to support the number of data center projects either approved or
contemplated. Without a clear and cohesive plan and possible designation, consumers
could end up paying higher electricity rates and potentially experiencing longer power
outages (including those triggered by extreme climate events). NEITC designation should be
carefully considered to determine the scope of needs it can address, with respect to
funding and otherwise, as we create a clear and viable pathway forward.
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 sizable portion of the new transmission and generation infrastructure, in what ways do
you support a more appropriate cost shift to the data center industry? (Please provide
response here)
Data centers and communities must work together in partnership to ensure that risk and
costs are fairly and equitably allocated as we balance continued opportunities for growth
and responsible, smart land use and development. As we work through challenges, we can
explore caps on cost allocation carried by residents as well as designating that certain
portions of new transmission and generation investments be assumed by public utilities as
part of the cost of doing business.
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? (Please provide response here)
Yes, absolutely. Please see responses to questions 1, 3, and 4 above.
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? (Please provide response here)
Data centers rely on high water consumption for cooling their equipment. Estimates
suggest that each year, collectively, they use billions of gallons of water. This water is
acquired in many instances from underground aquifers leaving potential growing adverse
impacts on underground water and usage.
While some data centers have already taken steps to use circulating water systems
(“closed loop”) to reduce extraction of underground water reserves, this is not universal.
We have an opportunity to help ensure that data centers maximize protection and
preservation of water (including impact on agricultural lands (crops and cattle), run off and
other related impacts) as part of any community/business plan. I want to explore multiple
options, including the potential requirement of closed loop water systems.
8. Provide any additional information that outlines steps you have taken to protect citizens
against data center proliferation. (Please provide response here)
During my first term of office, I met with community residents, labor, and data centers to
understand the scope, concerns, and impact of the growth and presence of data centers in
our area. In fact, during the 2022 session, I asked one of the data center companies to meet
with me at their office one Saturday during session to discuss concerns regarding
environmental and community impacts along with workers’ rights issues. I also met spoke
with a member of the PWC Board of County Supervisors to express concerns over noise
and environmental impacts suggesting independent assessments and adjust the noise
ordinance to require replacement of outdated fan technology that may be causing
residential noise. I further have supported/co-sponsored legislation to address impact
assessments and stood strong on environmental legislation that more broadly protects
people and our communities.
9. Will you use your position as a member of Congress to speak to the issue of data center
proliferation? (Please provide response here)
Yes. Environmental and climate matters at the intersection of housing, smart land use and
development, and more are important issues that I will continue to focus on as a member of
Congress. I will engage in meaningful dialogue, idea generation, transparency, growth, and
accountability to help us partner with one another get this right for our families and communities.