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Data Centers Face Scrutiny Amid Rising Electricity Demand Concerns

Data Centers Face Scrutiny Amid Rising Electricity Demand Concerns

Data Centers Face Scrutiny Amid Rising Electricity Demand Concerns
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SCC Directs Dominion Energy to Assign More Transmission Costs to Data Centers

SCC Directs Dominion Energy to Assign More Transmission Costs to Data Centers

SCC Directs Dominion Energy to Assign More Transmission Costs to Data Centers
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Virginia governor says she will file documentation to intervene Dominion-NextEra merger

Virginia governor says she will file documentation to intervene Dominion-NextEra merger

By Katha Kalia Aug 6 (Reuters) - Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said on Thursday she would intervene in the regulatory review of NextEra Energy's proposed $66.8 billion merger with Dominion Energy to press for commitments on electric bill affordability, job protections and clean-energy
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Arlington's Commercial Real Estate Market Gains Edge Over D.C. Due to Tax Differences

Arlington's Commercial Real Estate Market Gains Edge Over D.C. Due to Tax Differences

Arlington's Commercial Real Estate Market Gains Edge Over D.C. Due to Tax Differences
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Virginia's Energy and Data Center Policy Clash: Implications for State's Future

Virginia's Energy and Data Center Policy Clash: Implications for State's Future

Virginia is facing a complex intersection of policy decisions regarding energy and data centers. The state is experiencing a surge in energy demand due to its high concentration of data centers, which is further complicated by the Clean Economy Act mandating a transition to a carbon-free electric grid by 2045 for Dominion Energy and by 2050 for Appalachian Power. This has led to increased solar development, but political and local resistance to solar and battery storage projects is growing. Additionally, there are calls for a special legislative session to address issues such as a proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra, and the strain on Virginia's groundwater resources due to data centers. The state is also seeing a rise in manufacturing jobs linked to the data center supply chain, highlighting a shift in the industrial landscape.
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Loudoun County Considers Legal Path for Data Center Development Pause

Loudoun County Considers Legal Path for Data Center Development Pause

Loudoun County, known as the data center capital of the world, is considering a pause on new data center applications due to growing political and public pushback against the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure. The county's Board of Supervisors has directed staff to present a proposal for a pause, along with a legal analysis, at an upcoming meeting. This move comes amid concerns about the impact of data centers on local quality of life and the environment. However, the legality of such a moratorium is in question due to Virginia's adherence to Dillon's Rule, which limits local government powers to those expressly granted by the state.
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Virginia Data Centers Ordered to Fund Transmission Upgrades, Saving Ratepayers Millions

Virginia Data Centers Ordered to Fund Transmission Upgrades, Saving Ratepayers Millions

Virginia Data Centers Ordered to Fund Transmission Upgrades, Saving Ratepayers Millions
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DoD Seeks Authority to Sell Property for Infrastructure Funding

DoD Seeks Authority to Sell Property for Infrastructure Funding

The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking congressional approval to directly sell its real estate to fund infrastructure projects and the Golden Dome initiative. The proposal aims to bypass the General Services Administration's (GSA) current property disposal process, allowing the DoD to sell military real estate more quickly and reinvest the proceeds into defense priorities. The legislative proposal includes plans to use the funds for infrastructure modernization, missile defense systems, and artificial intelligence data centers. The DoD also seeks to lease back sold facilities and remove caps on leaseback agreements to leverage private investment for military infrastructure.
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Congressman Vindman Proposes Legislation to Regulate Data Center Locations

Congressman Vindman Proposes Legislation to Regulate Data Center Locations

Congressman Eugene Vindman has introduced the Smart Data Center Policy Act, aiming to regulate the placement of data centers away from residential areas, schools, and parks. The proposed legislation directs the Department of Commerce to study the feasibility of situating data centers in industrial zones and transportation hubs. The study will assess construction costs, resource demands, and potential federal incentives to encourage development in less disruptive areas. Findings are to be submitted to relevant congressional committees within 180 days.
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Virginia Mandates Data Centers to Fund Transmission Infrastructure

Virginia Mandates Data Centers to Fund Transmission Infrastructure

Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia announced that the State Corporation Commission (SCC) has mandated data centers to bear the full cost of new transmission infrastructure required for their operations. This decision follows the governor's advocacy to prevent Virginia families and small businesses from incurring these costs. The order is expected to save Virginians hundreds of millions of dollars. The move has sparked debate among state lawmakers, with 20 legislators supporting the decision to hold data centers financially accountable for their infrastructure needs.
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State Corporation Commission Orders Dominion Energy to Assign More Transmission Costs to Data Centers

State Corporation Commission Orders Dominion Energy to Assign More Transmission Costs to Data Centers

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has mandated Dominion Energy to create a policy that assigns the cost of transmission infrastructure directly to data centers and other large-load users. This decision aims to ensure that the financial burden of building high-voltage transmission lines, which serve as power highways across Virginia, is not unfairly placed on residential customers. The move comes after Dominion Energy's rate adjustment case, where it was argued that data centers should bear more of the costs for infrastructure necessary to power their facilities. Governor Abigail Spanberger's administration supported this stance, emphasizing that residential customers should not subsidize infrastructure used solely by data centers. The decision is expected to save Virginians hundreds of millions of dollars by ensuring data centers pay the full cost of the infrastructure their developments require.
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Cle Elum Halts Data Center Development Amid Economic Debate

Cle Elum Halts Data Center Development Amid Economic Debate

The city of Cle Elum has enacted a six-month moratorium on the development of data centers following a proposal for a 20-megawatt facility. This decision comes as the city faces financial challenges, including bankruptcy proceedings linked to a $22 million arbitration ruling. KIRO host John Curley argues that the city is missing out on potential economic benefits, citing Loudoun County, Virginia, as an example where data centers have significantly boosted local revenue. Curley compares the situation to the fracking debate, suggesting that embracing data centers could lead to economic growth and reduced taxes for residents.