Concerns over power supply and environmental impact dominated the Leesburg Town Council meeting on January 28, 2025, as community members voiced strong opposition to the proposed data center development.

A key speaker highlighted the staggering power demands of large facilities, noting that the National Convention Center spans 265,000 square feet and consumes between 30 to 90 megawatts of power. With Dominion Energy currently unable to meet its existing contracts for 21 gigawatts of power, the speaker warned that Virginia is the largest net importer of electricity in the nation. This situation raises alarms about the potential for further strain on local resources if new industrial projects, like the proposed data center, move forward.

The speaker also criticized the lack of transparency and public input regarding the siting of such facilities, referencing a recent tour of a data center in Sterling that operates without adequate community review. They urged the council to heed recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission, which has cautioned against placing industrial data centers near residential areas.

Jim Bingle, representing the Piedmont Environmental Council, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of land use and water-related issues before approving any new data center applications. He argued that the council's understanding of the implications of data centers has evolved since their initial approval in 2022, suggesting that a more informed decision-making process is necessary.

As the meeting concluded, the community's concerns about power supply and environmental impacts remain at the forefront, prompting the council to reconsider the future of industrial development in Leesburg.