Study finds onsite gas-turbine powered data centers harm public health

Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) released findings from a commissioned EmPower Analytics Group study showing that permitted emissions from the Vantage VA2 data center’s onsite natural-gas turbines could cause substantial health damages.

• Key findings and details: The PEC-commissioned EmPower study estimates $53M–$99M per year in health-related damages from permitted emissions at Vantage VA2 (up to $265M–$495M over five years), and 3.4–6.5 additional premature deaths annually; the Vantage VA2 facility uses eight natural-gas simple-cycle turbines and holds a permit for 51 diesel backup generators, and its emissions are estimated to reach more than 2.5 million people in the Washington, D.C. metro region.
• Context and other facts: PEC published the study results and a public response after the Virginia DEQ released a critique focused on regulatory compliance; PEC notes DEQ is now setting up more air monitors and a Data Center Air Monitoring Project webpage. PEC also flags additional proposed onsite turbine projects: Digital Dulles (23 turbines proposed) and Remington Technology Park (13 turbines proposed) and highlights that >13,000 diesel generators are permitted across Virginia.