N. Va. political leaders scramble to meet evolving public sentiment on data centers
Politicians are scrambling nationally to address growing public concern over data centers, and in Northern Virginia, where many local elected leaders will be on the ballot in 2027, the issue is proving a delicate balancing act.
Fairfax County residents expect “fair rules of engagement” when it comes to addressing the impacts of data centers, Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said at the 11th annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit, held on Wednesday (Aug. 26) in Arlington.
“We need to make sure our regulations have adapted,” said McKay, who leads the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia.
At the same time, he noted the irony that most of those who arrive to testify against data centers locally usually have cellphones in their hands.
Cellphones, like most modern technology, only work with data centers providing the infrastructure to power them, McKay said.
“We have to acknowledge they are needed,” McKay said.
While data centers aren’t as big a presence in Fairfax County as they are in neighboring Loudoun, more development proposals have emerged in recent years, including potential additions in Tysons, Chantilly and the Herndon area. With that increase has come more controversy.
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