New proposal would change how data centers are built and regulated

New national plan on data centers could have a major ripple effect across the country and it's being led by a Virginia congressman Suha Subramanian, who represents the heart of data center alley, wants to change how they're built and regulated. Fox out of Virginia. You read alive in Ashburn tonight with more on this proposal. Regina Yeah, Kenneth and Angie, I first want to point out that we're currently in Loudoun County, specifically Ashburn, an area where we're seeing data centers expand rapidly just right behind me. You can see that data center right next to it. Discovery Elementary School. That is one of the concerns that the congressman has. This is an industrial area now home to multiple massive facilities, but his constituents have concerns over the expansion of these massive facilities. Now take a look. The congressman is holding a press conference on the issue. As we speak, he says communities need more say in where these massive facilities are located. He also believes there needs to be more regulations over who pays for the infrastructure needed to power them. His proposal includes pushing to require large facilities to cover the costs of related power grid upgrades, strengthen security around data centers and nearby infrastructure. Meanwhile, supporters of the industry say data centers are critical to the technology infrastructure that we rely on. They also point to the tax revenue and jobs data centers bring to the area. Now looking at skyrocketing utility bills, we're looking at power lines going through our homes and our schools, and we're looking at an impact on the environment or noise, water, you name it. So, you know, people keep calling data centers a golden goose, and it seems more like a Trojan horse sometimes because of all the problems that they bring, and no one's actually putting together a plan on how to address this. And so as someone who represents more data centers than any other congressman in the country, we felt like we needed to bring together state, federal and local leaders. So Congressman Zubramaniam is currently speaking. That is his press conference. That's what you're watching right now. But here in Loudoun County, the question is how to keep that economic growth going while also addressing the concerns of people who live near these facilities. We'll have more on what the congressman will say during this press conference at our eight p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. Regina, see you tonight.