On June 12, the House of Delegates unveiled its budget proposal which would not only maintain the $1.9 billion and growing annual tax exemption for data centers, going to the richest Big tech corporations in the world, but even stripped out provisions previously in the budget that would have conditioned the tax exemption on purchasing clean, renewable energy; adhering to minimum energy efficiency standards; and phasing out polluting dirty backup diesel generators. Instead, the House calls for yet another study. We don’t need ANY MORE STUDIES.

Our legislators and Governor Spanberger, who has endorsed the House proposal, won the last election with promises of energy affordability and making data centers “pay their fair share.” We must urgently remind them that Virginians overwhelmingly are outraged by the impact of data centers on rising electric rates and the constant noise, dirtier air (WAPO Article on Air Pollution Impacts), water scarcity issues, and threats to the fabric of their communities that they bring.

Across the country, Blue and Red states alike are taking decisive action by passing stronger regulations, cancelling tax breaks, raising taxes, requiring more accountability, and holding the industry to clean energy standards. Residents of Virginia, home to a quarter of the world’s data centers, should hold our legislators’ and Governor Spanberger’s feet to the fire. Demand that the data center industry abide by clean energy standards and cover the costs of energy infrastructure now being unfairly shouldered by Virginia voters. And, at the bare minimum, let’s stop giving them billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded handouts for free.

Send a letter (that you can edit) to the budget conferees, Leader Surovell, Speaker Scott and the Governor.