By: Christian J. Baker
Virginia Beach, VA – On October 20th, residents and advocates marched for a moratorium. The Hampton Roads march against data centers took place at Virginia Beach, Town Center. This event is sponsored by the CCAN Action Fund, the Virginia League of Conservation, the Coastal Virginia Sierra Club, COVA, and the Center for Sustainable Communities.
Organization leaders and speakers include Catherine Setaro, Melissa Lukeson, Garry Harris, and Michael Jamieson. The march brought together residents and community advocates to demand stronger statewide safeguards going forward. Marches have already taken place in Culpeper, Winchester, Lessburg, and Danville.
The rally calls for an immediate statewide moratorium on new data centers approvals in Virginia. The commonwealth’s rapid data center expansion is placing growing pressure on water resources, electric grids, and nearby communities.
Participants in the march could be seen holding the “Moratorium Now” flag and anti-data center signs. Attendees highlight recent local fights against centers in Hampton Roads and explain why leaders must enact this effort before approving more energy- and water-intensive facilities.
The campaign calls for a pause that would give policymakers time to establish new laws and greater protections for residents.
