Virginia Residents Defeat 2 Major Data Center Proposals as $130 Billion in Projects Face Backlash
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 8
Virginia Residents Defeat 2 Major Data Center Proposals as $130 Billion in Projects Face Backlash
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 8
Summary
Two of the largest U.S. data center proposals were defeated in Virginia’s Prince William County this week after years of resident opposition and litigation.
That backlash centers on power and water demand, potential utility-bill increases, and threats to historic land — including a former Confederate camp, a freed Black settlement and ground near the 1862 Manassas battlefield.
Nationwide, at least 75 data center projects worth $130 billion were disrupted by local opposition in the first three months of 2026, according to Data Center Watch.
The resistance is spreading across party lines: in North Carolina, 29 of 100 counties have passed moratoriums, while Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger opposes a statewide pause, citing tax revenue and national security needs.
As AI's thirst for power grows, can communities afford the true cost of hosting data centers?
With billions at stake, are local towns losing the fight for their land and water to big tech?
After a key environmental law was weakened, how can communities protect their resources from new development?
Virginia’s Data Center Revolt: $64 Billion in Projects Delayed as Environmental and Political Opposition Spreads Nationwide
Overview
By mid-2026, Virginia became the center of strong opposition to digital infrastructure projects, with numerous defeats and delays highlighting a growing reckoning over their environmental, social, and economic impacts. The Amazon data center project in Warrenton, for example, has been stalled for three years due to an ongoing lawsuit, with local officials voting against it and residents raising concerns about transparency and nondisclosure agreements. These events reflect a broader pattern of resistance across the state, as communities question the benefits and demand greater accountability from both companies and local governments.