Loudoun County urged to tighten data center standards

The Piedmont Environmental Council is urging Loudoun County residents to submit comments on draft data center standards by Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.

• The county’s draft standards would govern data center expansion and related onsite power plants, generators, noise, setbacks, water use, and decommissioning; PEC says the draft lacks low-frequency noise rules, stronger setbacks, and limits on fossil fuel-based onsite power.
• The article says Loudoun County held two open houses in the last week of September on proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance changes, with a public hearing in early 2027 after staff incorporates Board input; it also cites the Vantage VA2 data center in Sterling as an example of natural gas turbine use.