County with 37 Data Centers Asks Schools to 'Conserve Electricity'
Henrico County, Virginia, is asking employees to conserve electricity as the local government faces a 25% rate hike. The county has become a major hub for data centers, which residents blame for rising utility costs and infrastructure strain.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing tension between local communities and the massive energy demands of the data center industry.
On June 26, the County Manager of Henrico County, Virginia, John Vithoulkas, sent an email to thousands of county employees asking them to help the local government conserve electricity. “Beginning July 1 st , the rate we pay for electricity used in all Henrico County government and school facilities will increase dramatically — by 25%, increasing costs by an estimated $5 million next fiscal year . We anticipate more rate increases for electricity in the years ahead,” a copy of the email obtained by 404 Media said (emphasis his).
The framing emphasizes the negative impact of corporate data centers on local residents and public costs.
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