32. The Data Center Capital: Growth, Land, and Local Consequences

Today, we’re joined by Julie Bolthouse, Director of Land Use at the Piedmont Environmental Council. With Julie, we talk about the rapid expansion of data centers on the ground and how communities are responding.Virginia is often called the “data center capital of the world”. Data centers are reshaping landscapes, straining resources, and raising tough questions about growth and sustainability. In the episode we talk about the environmental concerns for energy, water, and air. As well as how to balance economic development with long-term environmental and human health protection. Piedmont Environmental Council:https://www.pecva.org/ Data Center article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1648912/full