Virginia’s data center landscape is changing quickly — and some of those decisions are moving closer to home. This month, we look at Nelson County’s proposed data center rules, new questions about who pays for the power infrastructure these facilities require, growing concerns about water and transparency, and the role AI is playing in rising electricity demand. Most importantly, we look at what these changes could mean for Nelson and how residents can help shape what comes n

Nelson County is updating its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, and the current Public Review Draft includes specific standards for data centers. No commercial data center has been publicly proposed for Nelson. That gives the County an opportunity many Virginia communities did not have: to set expectations now for how a proposal would be considered if one does arise. This review looks specifically at the data center provisions in Nelson County’s August 19, 2026 Public Review

In this update: Communities Want a Seat at the Table What New Research Is Revealing How Virginia Is Responding Development Continues Across the Commonwealth What You Can Do Learn More New Questions, New Information, and Growing Public Engagement Are Reshaping the Conversation. For years, Virginia's data center boom has largely been measured in megawatts, tax revenue, and economic development announcements. This month, however, a different story emerged. Across the Commonwealt

In this update: The Tax Break Debate Reaches a Boiling Point The Grid Is Feeling the Pressure High-Voltage Power Lines Face Growing Opposition Air Quality, Water & Public Health What You Can Do Virginia's data center debate is entering a new phase. Earlier discussions on data centers focused largely on where they were being built. Today, the conversation is increasingly centered on their impact - rising electricity costs, new power lines and substations, air quality, water re

In this Post: Transmission Infrastructure Is Expanding Into Rural Virginia Regional Expansion Continues New Focus on Air Quality, Water Use & Grid Reliability Public Opinion Is Rapidly Changing State Budget Negotiations Remain Stalled What You Can Do Virginia’s data center debate is no longer confined to Northern Virginia. Over the past several months, concerns about energy demand, transmission infrastructure, water usage, air quality, tax incentives, and local land use have