Frederick County residents oppose data centers over water and environmental concerns

Concerns over the impact of data centers on Frederick County's resources took center stage during the March 12 Board of Supervisors meeting. Residents voiced strong opposition to the establishment of data centers, citing alarming health issues and environmental concerns stemming from similar facilities in other regions.

Nicole Russell, a resident from the Red Bud District, highlighted troubling reports from Granbury, Texas, where locals experienced severe migraines, hearing loss, and panic attacks after a data center opened. "Data centers are just a bad idea for our community," she asserted, emphasizing the need for proposals to address water usage, as data centers can consume up to 300,000 gallons of water daily—equivalent to the needs of 100,000 households. With Frederick County housing only 33,000 households, Russell questioned the sustainability of such water demands, especially amid ongoing drought conditions.

The meeting also addressed the potential for increased fire hazards due to the extensive power requirements of data centers. Russell noted that Virginia experienced a significant rise in forest fires, with 2024 seeing ten times the number of incidents compared to the previous year. She urged the board to reconsider the implications of allowing data centers, warning against setting the community up for "devastating fire and water shortages."

Other residents echoed these sentiments, raising issues of noise pollution and light pollution, which could disrupt local wildlife and agriculture. One speaker referenced a recent decision in Warren County, where officials voted against data centers to protect their community's character.

Lehi Spencer from the Gainsborough District called for educational campaigns and town halls to engage the community in discussions about the future of data centers. He urged the board to act as "guardrails" to protect local farmland and heritage, suggesting that innovative solutions from other countries could be adapted to meet local needs without compromising the environment.

As the meeting concluded, the board was left with a clear message: the community is united in its desire to safeguard Frederick County's natural resources and quality of life against the potential threats posed by data centers. The discussions signal a pivotal moment for local governance as they navigate the balance between technological advancement and environmental stewardship.