For Immediate Release – September 11, 2024
For more information contact Lisa Goodnight at lisa.goodnight@natureforward.org or 301-450-1478 or Renee Grebe [email protected] or 301-450-1424
CHEVY CHASE, MD –Nature Forward issued the following statement in response to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ recent approval of new data center regulations:
Fairfax County residents were promised data center standards that would be the best in Virginia, and possibly the nation. While the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ recent 8-2 vote approving new zoning regulations on data centers is a step forward, Nature Forward is disappointed that the Board weakened some protections recommended by the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
We appreciate that the Board adopted, at least partially, the Planning Commission’s suggestion to create buffers between data centers and residential areas. However, the recommended setback of 500 feet for HVAC and diesel generators was reduced to just 300 feet in the Board’s final vote. For people living in our densely populated county, that 200-foot reduction risks reducing residents’ quality of life and limits opportunities for better buffers between residential areas and the noisy, polluting HVAC and backup diesel generators that come with data centers.
Nature Forward understands the immense pressure local leaders face in creating regulations to protect their constituents. For that reason, we applaud both Supervisor Alcorn’s support of a Special Exception for all data centers and the courageous leadership of Supervisors Alcorn and Jimenez who advocated requiring this new ordinance to apply to all data center applications currently in process (but not yet approved). We also appreciate their ultimate vote against the adoption of this new ordinance, although the 8 other Board members moved to approve the measure.
While the Board’s request for additional study of the issue is worthwhile, the unfortunate fact remains Fairfax County missed a significant opportunity for stronger standards, site-specific community input, and adherence to the Comprehensive Plan for all data centers.
While this ordinance is certainly a step in the right direction, Fairfax County still has a long way to go to fulfill its promise to safeguard residents. Nature Forward is committed to continuing to work with the County to ensure that it honors this commitment.
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About Nature Forward: Throughout its history, Nature Forward, first established in 1897 as the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia, has championed nature for all by playing a pivotal role in conserving our region’s iconic natural places from development including the C&O Canal, Dyke Marsh and, most recently, Ten Mile Creek. Past member and board president, Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, is credited with launching the now global environmental movement. Nature Forward’s nature experts provide hundreds of opportunities each year for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, learn about, and protect the environment.