By Andreana Jinjue Lin
Photo Credit: Katherine Hewes
On Sunday, October 5th, over 180 advocates and community leaders joined us in person or tuned in to the livestream to unpack one of Virginia’s most pressing issues: what the data center boom means for our electric bills, communities, and natural environment. This was our 9th Climate Crisis Forum and the first focused on the consequences of Virginia’s rapid data center expansion.
Watch the Livestream
“Whether you live next to a data center, whether the transmission line is going to take your property via eminent domain, whether utility rates are going to double by 2030, whether you’re going to breathe the dirty diesel, or whether your water quality is going to be impacted, you all need to show up. That’s what will move the needle.”
— Elena Schlossberg, Executive Director, Coalition to Protect Prince William
See the Expert Speakers
Moderated by FACS Executive Director Chris Topoleski, this year’s forum featured two dynamic panel discussions with Virginia-based experts.
PANEL 1: DATA CENTERS & YOUR ELECTRIC BILL
- Elena Schlossberg, Executive Director, Coalition to Protect Prince William County
- Ivy Main, Author, Virginia Mercury
PANEL 2: ENVIRONMENTAL & COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPACTS
- Jim Purekal, Director, Advanced Energy United
- Dr. Luis Ortiz, Assistant Professor of Climate Applications, George Mason University | Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences
- Ann Bennett, Data Centers & Land Use Chair, Sierra Club
Photos & Event Highlights
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