Recent Key Decisions & Events Regarding Data Centers & Transmission Lines
LITIGATION TO STOP AMAZON: An important court hearing occurred on Wednesday 12/13/23 in Warrenton. Much of the focus was on the Town's original 2021 adoption of the zoning text amendment for data centers. If the court ultimately agrees the ZTA was invalid, it not only topples the zoning that allows data centers in Warrenton, but it also means the 2/14/23 town approval of the Amazon SUP is not valid. Stay tuned. Read a statement from CFFC about the 12/13/23 hearing here.
FAUQUIER DATA CENTER POLICY: On Thursday, 12/14/23, the Fauquier Board of Supervisors approved a new policy on data centers. Protect Fauquier provided input to the policy, and on balance we think it strengthens the protection of the County's rural, agricultural, scenic, and historic heritage from the adverse impacts of data centers. The policy is strong in limiting data centers to the two locations currently allowed (Vint Hill PCID and Remington Business Park). As "policy," it cannot establish new legal requirements but it can and does lay the foundation for ordinance and other changes that we would like to work with the new 2024 Board to advance. Read the full BOS data center policy here.
PJM TRANSMISSION LINES: On Monday, 12/11/23, PJM issued its decision on a list of transmission line and substation projects for the PJM 13-state region. While most of the earlier proposed Fauquier lines dropped off (at least for this round), the PJM decision includes a set of projects in southern Fauquier. This set of projects includes an existing transmission corridor out of Morrisville. It would rebuild an existing 500 KV line, and also build a second 500 KV line in the same corridor—from Morrisville north to the Vint Hill substation in PWC and on to Loudoun County—to provide power for data centers in Loudoun. We are still analyzing what is entailed, and the risk of ROW expansion and other implications. As we learn more, we will post information on our Facebook and website pages.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY DIGITAL GATEWAY APPROVED: On Wednesday, 12/13/23, the Prince William Board of Supervisors approved the Prince William Digital Gateway in a 4-3-1 vote. This would allow for the building of 35 data centers on 2,100 acres next to the Manassas Battlefield. It would be the largest data center complex in the world, with major impacts on the regional electric grid and transmission lines. Litigation is likely. We will continue to monitor these developments and the impacts to Fauquier County from this project.