Amid ‘constant' data center noise, Sterling residents also worry about health impact

Residents of a Sterling neighborhood already are upset about constant data center noise — and now they have a new concern. A study done for an environmental group shows emissions from the center could have severe health consequences.

Operators of the data center say they are fully compliant with state and local rules.

Whether it’s daytime or the dead of night, there is no such thing as peace and quiet in this Sterling neighborhood. Here’s why: A Vantage data center there is the only one in Virginia powered by gas turbines. Its hope is that the facilty will eventually be able to connect to Dominion electric lines, but for at least several more years, eight turbines are whining away all day and night.

"There was this constant, just like a buzzing in your head. ... And this is just not pleasant to listen to every day, all day," Sterling resident Lindsay Shaw said.

When Shaw learned a data center was going to be built nearby, she welcomed it. But that quickly changed for her and other neighbors when it went online.

Greg Pirio has organized the residents to make their concerns public.

"One, sometimes it wakes me up. You can hear it in my house," he said.

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