Old Meets New: How High-Tech Needs Are Increasing The Demand For Coal

You might have assumed that as technology improves, so would our collective pursuit of cleaner, renewable sources of energy. But as a new report reveals, the opposite appears to be true.

A tale of two Virginias

The northern region of Virginia is one of the world’s most robust internet nerve centers, which means that there’s a huge demand for electricity to keep all the data processors whirring and information flowing to every corner of the globe.

Meanwhile, the more rural area just across the border in West Virginia has been called on to meet the demand with a decidedly low-tech resource.

Yet another helicopter recently flew over Mary Gee’s home carrying surveyors scoping out the area for a place to plant one more power line. And like those before it, the electricity it distributes will be produced by burning coal.

“It’s not right,” she said. “These power lines? They’re not for me and my family. I didn’t vote on this. And the data centers? That’s not in West Virginia. That’s a whole different state.”

A not-so-hidden secret

Virginia officials like to tout their commitment to clean energy, but all it takes is a cursory glance at its neighbor to the west to find out what's really going on. And with data centers in the state growing exponentially over the past several decades, the insatiable need for energy is only growing.

• Amazon Web Services is pushing for a new data center worth $35 billion.
• Loudoun County rakes in $600 million in taxes each year directly from these centers.
• A single data center uses up to 50 times the power of a traditional office building.

These facilities offer jobs, tax revenue, and more … but ordinary Americans are left with higher energy costs and a dirtier environment.

Chris Agee April 20th, 2024

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