County with 37 Data Centers Asks Schools to 'Conserve Electricity'
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Henrico County, home to 37 data centers, asked schools to conserve electricity after a 25% rate hike.
Henrico County, Virginia, expects a 25% rise in electricity costs next year, increasing costs by an estimated $5 million. County Manager John Vithoulkas sent an email to thousands of county employees asking them to conserve electricity by turning off lights and computers, adjusting blinds, and unplugging unused items. The county hosts 37 data centers, with plans to build 17 more, including on Civil War battlefields. Meta built a data center there in 2017.
The email advised workers to take specific actions like turning off space heaters, which can cost $150 to $300 per year per heater.
What commenters are saying
Commenters criticized the irony of asking schools to conserve power while allowing data center expansion. One top comment sarcastically suggested unplugging the data centers instead. Several argued that the requested conservation measures (lights, space heaters) are negligible compared to data center power draw. Others pointed out that Virginia's electric rates have risen from well below average to average, providing important context. A few commenters proposed that data center companies should bear the added infrastructure costs, not residential ratepayers, suggesting government intervention or long-term contracts.