Henrico Data Centers Raise Public Costs

Henrico County, Virginia, expects electricity costs for government and school facilities to rise about 25 percent, adding an estimated $5 million to the next fiscal year, and has asked employees to reduce power use.

The county has 37 operating data centers and reports 17 more proposed, while Dominion Energy and state regulators have approved or anticipated rate changes tied to broader system costs and rising demand. The development highlights how data center growth can affect public budgets, local electricity rates, and debates over further expansion.