A national security push to expand the infrastructure behind America's technological ambitions is running into resistance from the communities being asked to host it, pitting Washington's race to stay ahead of China against mounting local backlash. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., who represents America’s "Data Center Alley," warns that backlash could obstruct the very buildout Washington considers a national priority unless Congress steps in — arguing that community buy-in is necessary to keep expansion moving. "The communities are being steamrolled by the industry," Subramanyam told Fox News Digital.
"They’re not feeling like anyone’s listening to them." Subramanyam is pitching a four-part federal plan aimed at breaking what he sees as a false choice between unchecked development and outright moratoriums. The proposal addresses siting, power costs, energy and water measurement, and security for the facilities and surrounding communities. TRUMP’S DATA CENTER PUSH FRACTURES CONGRESS AS LOCAL ANGER EXPLODES: 'GRASPING AT STRAWS' "If you are concerned about a race with China, when it comes to building data centers and AI, you should want to work with us on a plan to get community buy-in for where to build data centers," Subramanyam said.
His Fair Share Act would push states to require large power users to cover more of the infrastructure costs needed to serve them, according to the plan. HOMEOWNERS IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S AI BOOM ARE GETTING AN UNEXPECTED PAYOFF "At the federal level, if we say that we're going to take away some of your federal funding if you do this, then it will be a no-brainer," he said, arguing data centers should "pay their fair share for the infrastructure that needs to be built because of them." The tension surfaced again this week as Fox News Digital reported on complaints of noise and encroachment from a massive data center built against an Ashburn cul-de-sac. Subramanyam said many residents in his district understand the need for the infrastructure but object to how he says its costs and burdens are distributed.
Loudoun County says data center revenue has helped it lower its real-property tax rate, from $1.145 per $100 of assessed value in 2016 to $0.805 in 2026, according to the county. But Subramanyam argued residents must weigh those benefits against costs he says can appear elsewhere, particularly on utility bills. "What's not OK is feeling like they come in, jack up utility costs and we pay for their power infrastructure," he said, also citing water, air quality and other community concerns.
The industry disputes that data centers are driving higher residential power bills. The Leesburg-based Data Center Coalition has cited a recent analysis by energy consulting firm E3 that found no historical evidence that data centers increased residential electricity costs under existing rate structures. Fox News Digital reached out to the trade group, which is based in Data Center Alley, for comment on the package.
Subramanyam argues infrastructure with national implications cannot continue developing "ad hoc" under a patchwork of state and local rules. CHINA ‘THROWING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE’ IN AI DATA CENTERS RACE, SAY LAWMAKERS Other pieces of the plan would establish federal standards for siting and measurement and develop protections against security threats, including attacks on critical infrastructure overseas. "I know that localities do zoning, states do energy policy and other related things, but Congress and the federal government need to get involved," Subramanyam said.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
