>>As Demand for Electricity Grows, Lawmakers Reconsider Approval of Data Centers
(Loudoun County, VA) -- Loudoun county is home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers but lawmakers are re-thinking their opinion about adding more. Richard Stelling has the details.Preview: Voicer Script:
Many states, including Virginia, compete with neighboring states to attract major data centers in order to create jobs. However, concerns about tax breaks for data centers and their impact on the state's clean energy goals have lawmakers in several state reevaluating their priorities. The Virginia Mercury reports many in the industry are raising alarms over the reliability and affordability of local electric grids including fears that utilities will be forced to meet the increased demand by leaning more heavily on reliable sources like coal and natural gas and less on fuel generation from renewables, which are not able to keep pace with demand. The Data Center Coalition, representing tech giants, is advocating against changes to incentives, emphasizing the industry's support of clean energy initiatives.
