Commission discusses data centers and battery storage; asks staff for technical briefings

Commissioners devoted a portion of the Nov. 30 meeting to gathering information about data centers and battery storage projects and their local effects. Members said they want technical briefings and site visits to better understand demand on transmission lines, water and other local impacts before the county considers development requests.

One commissioner asked whether local electric rates could rise if a major facility locates in the county. Another said large data centers can require transmission upgrades that are ultimately borne, in part, by the wider customer base and suggested the commission should explore developer cost-sharing and condition-use permitting. A commissioner recommended coordinating with neighboring localities that have already taken positions on data centers (Isle of Wight, Mecklenburg) and, where possible, piggybacking on their field trips to see operations first-hand.

The chair asked staff to collect data from transmission providers and utilities about current capacity and likely demand, and to notify commissioners earlier about agenda packets so they have time to prepare for technical items. The commission also discussed inviting utility or developer representatives (for example, Dominion Power) to brief the commission on transmission capacity and rate implications.

Commissioners emphasized the need to balance potential economic benefits against infrastructure costs and potential rate impacts, and asked staff to return with factual materials and suggested site visits before taking policy positions or decisions.