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For residents

A data center is proposed near me. What now?

A neutral guide to finding out what is planned, what to ask, and how to take part. New to the topic? Start with data centers, explained.

Find what's planned near you#

Start with your county's page on PoweredAcre to see known projects, their status, and links to the original filings. Then check your county's planning or zoning office website, which posts applications, staff reports, and upcoming hearing dates. If a new power line is involved, look up the case on the State Corporation CommissionVirginia's State Corporation Commission, which approves utility rates and new high-voltage transmission lines. More in the glossary. website. The links below will take you to each of these places.

You can also open the 3D map and drop a pin on your address area to see nearby power lines and campuses. Don’t see your county? Request it.

What to ask at a public hearing#

These questions can help you understand a proposal, whatever your view of it. You can ask them at a hearing, send them in writing, or ask county planning staff before the meeting.

  • Where will the substationA fenced facility that steps electricity down from high-voltage lines so it can be used locally. More in the glossary. and power lines go?
  • What noise limits apply, and how are they enforced?
  • Where will the water come from, and how much will be used?
  • What tax revenue is expected, and from what source, such as real estate or equipment taxes?
  • What happens to the site if the project stops or the building is later empty?
  • Is this project allowed by rightA use the zoning already allows, so no public hearing or board vote is needed to approve it. More in the glossary., or does it need a special exceptionPermission the county board must vote on, usually after a public hearing, which can come with conditions. Counties use different names for it. More in the glossary. or rezoningChanging what a piece of land is allowed to be used for. More in the glossary.? Which conditions are being proposed?
  • How far will buildings, cooling equipment, and backup generators be from the nearest homes, and what screening or buffers are planned?
  • How often will backup generators be tested, and at what times of day?
  • How long will construction last, and what roads will trucks use?
  • Where can residents read the application, studies, and staff report, and how can they follow the project after a decision?

How to take part#

Public hearings are announced ahead of time. For zoning changes, Virginia law requires the county to publish notice twice in a local newspaper, with the second notice at least five days before the meeting. The notice must say where you can read copies of the proposal. Nearby property owners must also get written notice in most zoning map cases.[1]

For a rezoning or zoning change, you will usually have two chances to speak. State law requires at least one public hearing before the Planning CommissionAn appointed county board that reviews land-use proposals and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. More in the glossary. and at least one before the Board of SupervisorsThe elected governing body of a Virginia county, which makes final land-use decisions. More in the glossary..[2]

Meetings are open to the public. Under Virginia's open meetings law, meetings of public bodies must be open except in limited cases, notice must be posted at least three working days ahead, and the agenda and meeting packets must be available for the public to read. Anyone may record or photograph an open meeting.[3]

Each county sets its own rules for speaking, so check the clerk's page for your Board of Supervisors. Here are some examples.

  • Fairfax County accepts hearing testimony in person, in writing, by phone, or by video. Individuals get three minutes, and a spokesperson for a group gets five.[4]
  • For a large rezoning hearing in December 2023, Prince William County let people sign up to speak in person or online, gave individuals up to three minutes and qualifying organizations up to five, and streamed the meeting live.[5]
  • Chesterfield County asks speakers to sign up before the meeting, gives each speaker three minutes during public comment periods, accepts online comments, and offers a live stream and meeting archive.[6]

For new transmission linesHigh-voltage power lines, usually on tall towers, that carry electricity long distances. More in the glossary., comments go to the State Corporation Commission, not the county. The SCC accepts public comments on a case only for a limited time and lists the cases open for comment on its website. Comments can be sent electronically or in writing, and the SCC may hold public hearings in areas a project could affect.[7][8]

State law also says the SCC must hold at least one hearing in the affected area if a county or city the line would cross, or 20 or more interested parties, ask for one in writing.[9]

Sources

  1. Code of Virginia § 15.2-2204, Advertisement of plans, ordinances, etc.; written notice Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System. Accessed .
  2. Code of Virginia § 15.2-2285, Preparation and adoption of zoning ordinance and map and amendments thereto Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System. Accessed .
  3. Code of Virginia § 2.2-3707, Meetings to be public; notice of meetings; recordings; minutes Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System. Accessed .
  4. Speaking at a Board of Supervisors public hearing Fairfax County, Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Accessed .
  5. Logistical Information for the Board of County Supervisors Meeting for the Digital Gateway Rezonings Prince William County. Accessed .
  6. Public Comments, Board of Supervisors Chesterfield County. Accessed .
  7. Transmission Line Projects Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed .
  8. SCC Process (transmission line projects) Dominion Energy. Accessed .
  9. Code of Virginia § 56-46.1, Commission to consider environmental, economic and improvements in service reliability factors Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System. Accessed .