Loudoun County supervisors have moved closer to imposing a 12-month pause on new data centre applications, after voting on Tuesday night, September 15, to advance the proposal.
The measure would prevent the Virginia county from accepting applications for new data centre projects for one year while officials review how and where the facilities should be developed. A final vote is expected on October 13.
Projects already in the planning or approval process would not be covered by the proposed pause. The measure would also require final approval from the Board of Supervisors before it could take effect.
Loudoun County, home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of data centres, relies heavily on the industry for public revenue. Officials say the sector contributes more than half of the county’s budget, helping to pay for schools, parks and other services.
But the rapid expansion of the industry has fuelled opposition among residents, who have raised concerns about noise, rising energy demand and the high-voltage transmission lines required to power the facilities.
Supporters of the pause say it would give the county time to complete work on updated data centre standards and consider the wider effects of further development. Loudoun County’s ongoing standards and locations project is examining future rules for the industry.
The county attorney has warned that an indefinite moratorium would not be lawful under Virginia rules. The proposed measure has therefore been framed as a temporary pause, rather than a permanent ban on new development.
The decision has exposed a growing divide in the county, where officials are balancing the economic benefits of data centres against mounting concerns over their impact on local communities and the electricity infrastructure needed to support them.
