A sample from this collection
A few sources to start with.
Community opposition and engagement
Data Center Watch · undated on page; research timeline printed as May 2024 - March 2025 · Web report
The first Data Center Watch report catalogs local opposition to data center projects in the 28 states where hyperscalers have projects of 50 MW or more in planning. Its methodology section says it built a database of activist activity and public officials from local media, government filings, petitions, social media and official statements. It defines 'blocked' and 'delayed' projects, then profiles 16 specific cases, including Peculiar, Missouri, where the Planning Commission removed data centers from the zoning ordinance in October 2024, and the PW Digital Gateway in Prince William County, Virginia. It also covers bipartisan opposition, the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition, recall and council elections (Cascade Locks, Oregon and Warrenton, Virginia), and petition tracking.
- “$18 billion worth of data center projects were blocked, and another $46 billion of projects were delayed over the last two years in the face of opposition from residents and activist groups.” (Executive Summary)
- “There are at least 142 activist groups across 24 states organizing to block data center construction and expansion.” (Executive Summary)
- “some common themes are higher utility bills, water consumption, noise, impact on property value, and green space preservation.” (Executive Summary)
- “55% of the politicians who had taken public positions against the data center projects were Republicans, and 45% were Democrats.” (Executive Summary)
Who should read it:
Local elected officials, planning commissioners and economic development staff who want to understand why projects stall and what concerns residents raise; especially useful for Missouri officials because of the Peculiar case study.
Limitations:
The report itself says attributing delays exclusively to opposition 'oversimplifies a complex landscape' and that 'some figures reflect estimates that may change.' It states it does not assess the merits of activist concerns. Data Center Watch is run by 10a Labs; the page describes its research as 'objective, fact-based, and nonpartisan' but the report frames opposition as a development risk.
Cite as:
Data Center Watch. “$64 billion of data center projects have been blocked or delayed amid local opposition.” undated on page; research timeline printed as May 2024 - March 2025. https://www.datacenterwatch.org/report
Water use · Virginia
Loudoun County, Virginia (County Administrator) · undated on page (cites 2025 figures) · County web page
Loudoun County describes how local data centers use a mix of cooling approaches, how Loudoun Water invested in a reclaimed wastewater system in 2010 for several early-generation data centers, and how developers typically engage with water and wastewater authorities before a data center is proposed. It notes that a special exception process adopted in March 2025 gives officials and the public more visibility into water impacts, and discusses wastewater from open-loop cooling.
- “On an average day, data centers in Loudoun account for 9% of total potable water use.” (Water Use and Conservation)
- “the system delivered more than 750 million gallons of reclaimed water to roughly 40 customers in 2025, directly offsetting potential use of potable water.” (Water Use and Conservation (attributed to Loudoun Water))
Who should read it:
Water utility managers and planners considering reclaimed water requirements or a discretionary review step for water-intensive proposals.
Limitations:
The reclaimed-water figure is attributed to Loudoun Water; the 9% figure is not attributed. County page, not an independent study.
Cite as:
Loudoun County, Virginia (County Administrator). “Data Centers: Water Considerations.” undated on page (cites 2025 figures). https://www.loudoun.gov/6402/Water-Considerations
Noise and land use regulation · Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia, Department of Planning and Development · Amendment adopted September 10, 2024; page undated · County web page with links to adopted text
Fairfax County's page documents its data center zoning amendment, which the Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare on March 19, 2024 to strengthen data center permissions and standards. It links the adopted text, the staff report, follow-on motions, a separate 'Noise Study Requirements' document and the county's 'Data Centers Research Report and Recommendations' dated January 9, 2024.
- “The Board of Supervisors adopted the Data Centers Zoning Ordinance Amendment on September 10, 2024, which became effective September 11, 2024.” (Adopted Text section)
Who should read it:
Zoning administrators looking for a model ordinance package, including a stand-alone noise study requirement.
Limitations:
Only the landing page was reviewed; the linked adopted text, staff report and noise study were not reviewed.
Cite as:
Fairfax County, Virginia, Department of Planning and Development. “Data Centers: Adopted Zoning Ordinance Amendment.” Amendment adopted September 10, 2024; page undated. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/data-centers
