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Last Update: 10/27/2026 at 5:34 AM EST
Google Data Centers in Virginia
Coverage from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, Cardinal News, and others
Google’s proposed Virginia data centers have prompted questions about how local governments review projects and how residents can influence decisions.
In Chesterfield County, Project Peanut, Project Skye, and Project Loch have been discussed at community meetings, where residents raised concerns about water use, electricity costs, noise, environmental effects, and access to clear project information. Separately, a proposed facility in Botetourt County has drawn scrutiny over water supply and electricity arrangements. Across these local reviews, infrastructure commitments, permitting, and meaningful public engagement are central issues.
Looking Back
74 Day Timeline
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All Articles16 articles
Important
USACE Norfolk District issued a Section 404 public notice for Google-backed Project Skye Data Center in Chesterfield County, Virginia, with comments due July 28, 2026.
6/29/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Appalachian Power held a June 3 open house in Cloverdale, Virginia, to explain transmission and substation upgrades for Google data centers in Botetourt County.
5/15/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
Interesting
Google hosted a Botetourt County, Virginia open house to discuss a planned data center amid resident concerns about water use from Carvins Cove and related environmental impacts.
6/18/2026 • Water & Cooling • General
Botetourt County Planning Commission will ask the Board of Supervisors on July 28, 2026 to authorize a public forum on water, power, and environmental impacts for Google’s Botetourt Center at Greenfield campus.
7/13/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Google representatives met residents near the Waltham Cross Datacenter after November 30, 2023 reserved-matters approval, facing complaints on noise, lighting, and consultation.
7/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Chesterfield County, Virginia residents criticized planned Google data center siting near Deep Creek Middle School ahead of an August 26 board meeting.
7/23/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Protesters in Botetourt County, Virginia, organized by Humans First, urged cancellation or greater transparency for a proposed Google AI data center ahead of a July 28 board meeting centered on water concerns.
7/19/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Dozens of residents protested a proposed Google data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia, during a Humans First national day of action against AI data center development.
7/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Google held a Chesterfield County open house on three proposed data center campuses, with residents raising concerns about planning transparency and school proximity.
7/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Chesterfield County residents met Google representatives to discuss three planned hyperscale data center campuses, citing concerns over water use, noise, and public engagement.
7/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Chesterfield County residents attend open houses with Google representatives on three proposed data center campuses of more than 1,500 acres amid concerns about water and grid impacts.
7/12/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Clay Allsop said Google is still finalizing power usage for a planned Botetourt County data center near Daleville while opponents seek disclosure on electricity procurement.
5/12/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
Google held two open houses in Chesterfield County, Virginia, to discuss Project Skye and Project Loch amid resident concerns about water demand and approval transparency.
7/20/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Additional
Crew McElderry testified before the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors in Virginia in June, opposing Project Sky for land footprint and water use concerns.
7/23/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Google hosted a community open house in Chesterfield County, Virginia, for Project Peanut, Project Loch, and Project Skye on July 16 details; residents questioned power, water, noise, and transparency.
7/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Residents protested a proposed Google data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, focusing on water impacts and local financial pressure as supervisors delayed a budget vote to June 11.
5/27/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General