Amazon backs down on data center plans in Virginia

Amazon will no longer build four new data centers on the site of the George Washington University's campus in Loudoun County, just outside of D.C., and will instead repurpose the majority of the 122-acre space for mixed-use and residential development following significant pushback from the local community.

Residents' concerns about the noise generated by such data centers and the incredible amount of power that they require to function have seen the county's approach to new data center buildouts change of late.

Amazon first submitted its proposal to build the new facilities in July, and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall and Amazon met in September, where it was put to the company that it may be better to find an alternative use for the land.

Josh Weissman, Amazon’s vice president in charge of data center development, said the company had jumped at the chance to purchase the former university campus when the opportunity arose, but added that the company considered the county’s “pointed concerns about data center development at this particular site.”

The building of new data centers has always been a necessity given our growing use of cloud-based services and storage systems.

Back in Loudoun County, officials pointed to what could be achieved when choosing dialog over confrontation. “By choosing dialogue over reflexive disagreement, Loudoun County and Amazon created an opportunity for the County,” Randall reportedly said via statement.

We really need the federal government to step in and force a new power plant to be built in Loudoun. I don't care how loud people scream about their Potomac River views and how a new power plant would ruin them. You people made your bed; now sleep in it.

Amazon isn't doing anyone favors here, and Loudoun has not scored a victory. All they did was swap a future data center project for more overpriced luxury housing.