Data Centers Referendum Is In This Year’s Local Election

An overlooked issue that should concern voters in this upcoming election is the possible construction of data centers in Warren County, which would radically change the geographical landscape.

One of the candidates running for Board of Supervisors, Hugh Henry, recently spoke at a Warren County Republican Committee meeting in favor of data centers; his reason was that they generate tax revenue. Although he did acknowledge that they are not “the right fit for Warren County” he still considers data centers as an option to relieve the debt.

For the size of Warren County, it would be impossible and perhaps unthinkable. The Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected a proposal by the Planning Commission to create data centers after citizens spoke in 2023. Some of the arguments were that they would not boost the local economy and would devastate the environment. It should also be noted that it is a bipartisan issue. Back in 2022, even Gene Kilby, the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for town council, rejected the idea of data centers at a Candidates Forum held on September 16, 2022, at St. John the Baptist church.

Eligible voters should research this topic and make an informed decision before blindly casting their vote. To my knowledge, I would expect that most of the people in the County care about its precious natural resources, since many enjoy access to the natural parks and the Shenandoah River for recreation. It is worth reviewing some of the valid claims against data centers.

First, data centers will provide less of an economic incentive to the local community. Some may argue that bringing in data centers could increase jobs and add more revenue to municipalities. That may not be the case, because according to estimates by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, data centers generate more construction jobs than permanent jobs. Furthermore, data centers generate few jobs in rural towns. One example is the case of Boydton, VA, which The New York Times reported only 25 residents got jobs with the data center.

Secondly, having data centers in Warren County would also diminish the small-town image of its county seat, Front Royal. General locations where data centers are situated are in heavily urbanized areas such as the Washington DC metro area. In fact, about 140 in Loudoun County and 33 in Prince William County. As the news headlines report, there is a lot of pushback from residents, including members of HOAs.

Thirdly, data centers create a noise issue. Already the Fork District has noise between airplanes soaring above the airport and the freight train traveling along the railroad down by the river bend. Now there are some arguing that data center companies are finding ways to minimize the noise, but those methods are usually costly as one data center in Prince William proves the point.

Fourthly, expect regular power outages due to the high amount of power that data centers consume. As a resident of the Fork District, I have witnessed two separate occasions when the power went out in 2023. Imagine what a data center or multiple ones will do. Brownouts and power outages will occur on a regular basis, and citizens, especially those living in rural areas, will have no choice but to live with them. Furthermore, will utility bills go up because of the development of light industrial zones and data centers? Will also the HOA fees be affected?

Finally, what is going to happen to water resources which will be needed in great amount to cool the data centers. The case of a data center in Mesa, AZ offers a perfect example of the tensions over water with the Colorado River and Lake Mead “dwindled to their lowest levels” according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Just like noise reduction technologies, cooling innovations are still in a developmental stage and are “extremely costly.”

So, what proposed plans are for a data center in Warren County? Will water from the River be used and thus potentially destroy a natural landmark and the only source of income for businesses catering to visitors? Or are they going to use groundwater and hence put farmers and homesteaders in a very difficult spot with no access to drinking water for their loved ones, families and livestock?

Patrick Pennefather has made is position clear on the issue and he is against data centers, and his explanation is backed up by the aforementioned information. Early voting has already begun, and Primary Day is on June 17, and voters should think twice on who to choose for Board of Supervisors in the Fork District.

Let’s keep and preserve the pastoral landscape of Warren County for future generations and support Patrick Pennefather for Warren County Board of Supervisors.

Vincent Maresca
Fork District
Warren County, VA

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