Virginia has quietly become the backbone of the internet — home to nearly 40% of the world’s data centers. But as artificial intelligence supercharges demand for electricity, water, and land, everyday Virginians are being left with the bill.
In this episode of By the Ballot, Matt Royer breaks down how the explosive growth of AI-driven data centers is:
⚡ Driving up electricity rates across Virginia💧 Draining billions of gallons of water every year🌫️ Increasing pollution and public health risks💸 Costing taxpayers billions in lost revenue through corporate tax giveaways
We dive into what a gigawatt of power actually means, why the “cloud” isn’t virtual, how unchecked development is reshaping communities across the Commonwealth, and the legislation aiming to finally put guardrails on Big Tech’s rapid expansion.
If you live in Virginia — or care about energy costs, environmental justice, and corporate accountability — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
