The Dillon Rule is a hurdle not an impenetrable wall. And there is a foolproof work-around that already exists; but it takes participation, engagement and effort.
You simply let your local elected officials know that, via zoning powers already within their delegated powers, they must deny any and all data centers for valid reasons that already have been proven to exist, OR you personally will vote them out of office.
Don’t be fooled by the “we can’t do anything because of the Dillon Rule” alibi.That’s a boldface lie.
I’ve never been prone to getting caught up in conspiracy theories. But, I’m seeing layers of deceit around data center issues, and that scares me. Which makes spotting and tuning-in to trustworthy news sources very important. There is so much intentional disinformation around data centers issues and, from my viewpoint, 99% of it is coming indirectly from the data center industry.
When I watched the WRC-News 4 in-depth video story on data center lessons-learned from Loudoun County, Virginia (the video report is still available on FXBG Advance posted several days ago and still available), the late arriving issue regarding supposedly unforeseen consequences not addressed in the rezoning or special use permitting processes that popped up “post-facto” - the huge detrimental issue involving years-later routing of new high transmission electric lines through residential neighborhoods, school grounds and parkland- I don’t believe for a second that the data center industry was really taken by surprise by the issue. They knew about and hid that issue. And when I read scattered news articles stating things like that electricity rates will not go up or that the industry itself will pay such increases, that’s when I understand how insidious the data center industry’s actions are and what is at stake. Intentional disinformation abounds!
The gloves have to come off. Billionaire wolves are at our back doors and they’re after our kids’ and grandkids’ futures.
Yes, do attend Thursday night’s forum. And do choose wisely when you vote.
Agreed. Who we vote for is absolutely key. And corporations are unlikely to want the public stigma attached to building something where the local community flatly rejects it. I think we have to target their bottom lines on a national scale.
The question that goes unasked and no one seems to be cognizant of: What happens to the data centers when the next evolution of technology makes them obsolete? It's not a question of "if". How soon will that happen?
Look at how fast computing technology has and is evolving. How long has it taken us to get to the stage of processing terrabytes of information? That will soon seem as blasé as kilobytes is now.
Are the data centers "stepping stones" to the next "latest and greatest"? So, what becomes of the stepping stones when they are bypassed with "quantum levitation"?
Thanks for your comment. I have indeed heard people ask this very question -- which is a necessary one. It comes up in community forums I've attended. And from what I've seen (going by memory) some of these data center are expected to be obsolete within 3-10 years. Of course, it's also possible the AI bubble may burst, which could make them even more useless much faster than that.
I feel as if the Stafford County BOS are so terrified of getting sued and will do anything in their power to avoid a lawsuit. I try to understand the justification here and want to understand what it is like being in their shoes. However, I don't see how it would ever be justified as a good strategy in which to lead a county. I really hope they will consider a pause as well but I don't see it happening. Regardless, I will continue annoying the crap out of all of my representatives to push for slowing down and advocating for better standards and protections for residents and our beautiful watersheds.
Flyer: Community Forum #3 DATA CENTERS IN OUR REGION: https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-o3Xz22E-6MvakqKnO0iXIkjpSYBJxbVrH7kt-MUVmHiO_fCpsVkV9lQWGF56WRHyBmBxuc2UTjmHlmQVvjcwMQ/messages/@.id==AALzXeZAifjWxn1LEZXq3F3y7vv/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appid=YMailNorrin
The Dillon Rule is a hurdle not an impenetrable wall. And there is a foolproof work-around that already exists; but it takes participation, engagement and effort.
You simply let your local elected officials know that, via zoning powers already within their delegated powers, they must deny any and all data centers for valid reasons that already have been proven to exist, OR you personally will vote them out of office.
Don’t be fooled by the “we can’t do anything because of the Dillon Rule” alibi.That’s a boldface lie.
I’ve never been prone to getting caught up in conspiracy theories. But, I’m seeing layers of deceit around data center issues, and that scares me. Which makes spotting and tuning-in to trustworthy news sources very important. There is so much intentional disinformation around data centers issues and, from my viewpoint, 99% of it is coming indirectly from the data center industry.
When I watched the WRC-News 4 in-depth video story on data center lessons-learned from Loudoun County, Virginia (the video report is still available on FXBG Advance posted several days ago and still available), the late arriving issue regarding supposedly unforeseen consequences not addressed in the rezoning or special use permitting processes that popped up “post-facto” - the huge detrimental issue involving years-later routing of new high transmission electric lines through residential neighborhoods, school grounds and parkland- I don’t believe for a second that the data center industry was really taken by surprise by the issue. They knew about and hid that issue. And when I read scattered news articles stating things like that electricity rates will not go up or that the industry itself will pay such increases, that’s when I understand how insidious the data center industry’s actions are and what is at stake. Intentional disinformation abounds!
The gloves have to come off. Billionaire wolves are at our back doors and they’re after our kids’ and grandkids’ futures.
Yes, do attend Thursday night’s forum. And do choose wisely when you vote.
Agreed. Who we vote for is absolutely key. And corporations are unlikely to want the public stigma attached to building something where the local community flatly rejects it. I think we have to target their bottom lines on a national scale.
The question that goes unasked and no one seems to be cognizant of: What happens to the data centers when the next evolution of technology makes them obsolete? It's not a question of "if". How soon will that happen?
Look at how fast computing technology has and is evolving. How long has it taken us to get to the stage of processing terrabytes of information? That will soon seem as blasé as kilobytes is now.
Are the data centers "stepping stones" to the next "latest and greatest"? So, what becomes of the stepping stones when they are bypassed with "quantum levitation"?
Thanks for your comment. I have indeed heard people ask this very question -- which is a necessary one. It comes up in community forums I've attended. And from what I've seen (going by memory) some of these data center are expected to be obsolete within 3-10 years. Of course, it's also possible the AI bubble may burst, which could make them even more useless much faster than that.
I feel as if the Stafford County BOS are so terrified of getting sued and will do anything in their power to avoid a lawsuit. I try to understand the justification here and want to understand what it is like being in their shoes. However, I don't see how it would ever be justified as a good strategy in which to lead a county. I really hope they will consider a pause as well but I don't see it happening. Regardless, I will continue annoying the crap out of all of my representatives to push for slowing down and advocating for better standards and protections for residents and our beautiful watersheds.
Thanks for taking the time to write this article!