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Virginia Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Virginia — updated daily.
Virginia · Construction & power moves · 40
full tracker →Land, power, and interconnection moves across Virginia — each traced to primary filings.
Top JUST IN — Virginia
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PJM proposes reliability standards for large-load ride-through (no docket)
Source: PJM Inside Lines · Sep 10, 2026PJM Inside Lines reports that PJM has proposed new interconnection reliability requirements for large loads, including data centers and crypto-mining facilities, to require facilities to stay connected during grid disturbances and “riding through” voltage and frequency excursions. The article says the proposal responds to a June 18 FERC order and that “PJM plans to file proposed solutions to FERC in November.”
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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PJM, Dominion Review Large Load Transfer Event
Source: PJM Inside Lines · Aug 11, 2026PJM Inside Lines reports that PJM is reviewing changes to interconnection reliability requirements for Large Loads after a July 22 event in Virginia in which “nearly 4,000 MW of data center load trip offline unexpectedly.” The article also says FERC ordered NERC to create enforceable Reliability Standards for computational loads and that the first phase of new enforcement provisions is due Dec. 31, 2026.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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Opening Statement of Commissioner Christie to House Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
Source: FERCFERC Commissioner Christie warned that U.S. grid reliability faces “potentially catastrophic consequences” as “unprecedented forecasts for demand increases” from “data centers, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)” collide with fast-retiring dispatchable generation and policy pressure. In PJM, he said, “PJM faces unprecedented load growth due to the proliferation of data centers,” while also noting that EPA power-plant rules could “forcibly” accelerate coal retirements and make new gas generation “extremely difficult, if not virtually impossible” to build. Christie also said the PJM interconnection queue “largely consists of intermittent generation, primarily wind and solar,” and that legal challenges are delaying needed natural-gas pipeline infrastructure.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
Recent Virginia data center news
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Graycor hires construction vet to lead Southwest division
Graycor Construction has appointed Brett Helm as general manager of its Southwest Division based in Phoenix.
- Helm brings 30 years of industry experience to support the warehouse and distribution portfolio.
- Focus areas include advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, data centers, and strategic portfolio growth.
- Graycor highlights Phoenix’s advantage for data centers due to lower power costs and reduced natural disaster risks.
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Key regional projects by Graycor include Elliot Gateway industrial park, Rinchem chemical warehouses, Mlily manufacturing and distribution facility, and SkyBridge Arizona cargo processing site.
The appointment and focus confirm Graycor’s commitment to infrastructure growth in the Southwest region.
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Townsend Group Invests in CleanArc Data Centers
CleanArc Data Centers has announced a strategic investment from Townsend Group, a global real estate investment advisory firm. Townsend, which advises sovereign and pension plans, has made a significant investment to support CleanArc’s development of hyperscale data center campuses focused on renewable energy. The investment aims to facilitate the construction of a new data center campus in Virginia, with a capacity of 300 MW scheduled to be operational by Q1 2027. Snowhawk Partners will remain the majority stakeholder in CleanArc, supporting its expansion to meet the demands of hyperscale customers for sustainable data infrastructure. This partnership emphasizes CleanArc’s focus on sustainability, renewable energy, and future technology capabilities such as AI and cloud services.
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Data Center Energy Needs Could Upend Power Grids and Threaten the Climate
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the energy consumption and sustainability challenges posed by rapidly increasing data centers in the United States.
- As of March 2025, there were 5,426 data centers nationally, consuming about 17 GW of power in 2022, with projections to increase to 130 GW by 2030.
- Approximately 56% of the electricity used in these data centers is sourced from fossil fuels, significantly contributing to carbon emissions and climate change.
- Data centers emitted about 105 million metric tons of carbon in 2023, up from 31.5 million tons in 2018, marking a 300% increase.
- Virginia, especially Northern Virginia, is a major hub with hundreds of data centers consuming more than 3 GW power, mostly from fossil fuels, posing challenges to renewable energy goals.
- Sustainable solutions include siting data centers near renewable energy sources, on-site renewable generation, and energy efficiency measures.
The article underscores the urgent need for sustainable energy strategies in data center operations to mitigate climate impact.
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The AI infrastructure race hits a political reality check
The article discusses the growing demand for energy due to the rise of AI-driven data centers in the United States. Entergy has initiated a $10 billion deal to provide power for a new Meta AI data center in Louisiana, despite facing backlash from environmental groups. Communities are questioning the sustainability of such projects as they demand significant land, water, and electricity, leading to concerns about environmental impact. The piece also highlights the tension between tech firms and local utilities regarding energy consumption and infrastructure adequacy.
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AI data center boom could boost renewables — with the right drivers in place
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Senate Passes Microgrid, Budget Bills on Penultimate Day of Session - Wrap Up
The West Virginia Senate passed House Bill 2014 to promote microgrid development and data center growth in the state.
- House Bill 2014 establishes a Certified Microgrid Program within the Division of Economic Development to attract data centers powered by microgrids.
- The bill allocates property tax revenue generated by the program: 50% to Personal Income Tax Reduction Fund, 40% to the county hosting the data center, 5% distributed per capita to all counties, 3% to Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and 2% to a power grid stabilization fund.
- The Department of Commerce Secretary is authorized to certify microgrid districts based on significant positive economic impact.
- The fiscal year 2026 budget totals $5.3 billion with detailed allocations to various state departments including $7.9 million to the Department of Environmental Protection.
- The budget includes special revenue appropriations totaling $12 million for various state services and $33 million for the Hope Scholarship from General and Lottery Revenue Funds.
This legislation supports infrastructure modernization through microgrids and data center development, with budget provisions reflecting state priorities for economic development and energy programs.
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Construction planning falters
Dodge Construction Network reported a 6.9% decline in the Dodge Momentum Index for March, indicating a slowdown in nonresidential construction planning. This decline was attributed to uncertainties surrounding material prices and potential tariffs from the Trump administration. Major projects in planning included a $400 million data center in Alabama and a $500 million ambulatory care building in California.
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Opinion: Keeping Up With Big Tech: What Natural Gas Providers Must Do To Stay Competitive
Meta plans to build 3 power plants to support its AI data center, becoming Entergy’s largest customer. Chevron and GE announced a partnership to create the first multi gigawatt-scale power plant and data center. Blackstone acquired a power plant in Virginia to integrate energy into tech investments. Energy providers must ensure operational efficiency and sustainability amidst rising Big Tech AI demands.
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Meeting Unprecedented Need with Cutting-Edge Solutions
Apex Clean Energy has highlighted the urgent need for new energy solutions due to the anticipated demand from data centers, which are projected to require 63 GW of new capacity by 2030—a 160% increase from current levels. The aging electric grid and lengthy interconnection timelines have prompted the adoption of co-located renewable systems, allowing for direct power supply to data centers, significantly improving time-to-power and sustainability. By utilizing a mix of wind, solar, and energy storage, these systems can meet a large percentage of data center electricity needs efficiently and reliably.
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O desafio de operações verdadeiramente limpas
Many electricity buyers in the US have utilized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for clean energy, fueling 42% of solar and wind capacity installed from 2014 to 2023. Companies like Google and Microsoft have committed to 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, pushing for technology that matches renewable supply with real-time demand. Despite challenges, solar remains the leading renewable energy contributor, with a record 39.6 GW added in 2024, raising total capacity to 220 GW. The energy storage capacity has doubled to nearly 29 GW in the past year, with a projected growth of 47% by 2025.