Greetings Labor and Commerce Subcommittee, I'm writing in support of HB2101, HB2755, and HB2578. I live in Loudoun County, where we have over 200 data centers. In our county, data centers are being built near residences, malls, bike trails, parks, pretty much all over the place including where people don't want them. Many of them are pretty loud if you're near them, and I expect that louder data centers are coming because there isn't enough energy, so some art starting to turn to on-site natural gas generation for base-load, non-emergency power. We have one such data center with 8 natural gas turbines. I've heard from friends that live fairly close that they can tell by the sound not just whether or not the gas turbines are on, but how many. The recent JLARC study paints a picture of an industry that has grown out of control, is burdening its neighbors, and is completely unsustainable. While some in my counties Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission seem completely captured by this industry, others are trying to address the problems that we're having as a result of data centers, but are unable to do much due to lack of local authority, and so I must ask the General Assembly for help. As burdened as the public is by data centers in Loudoun County, we need better regulation specific to that industry. These 3 bills would go a long way to improving the situation, specifically: HB2101 Electric utilities; data center cost allocation: This is needed to ensure that all of us ratepayers aren't paying for infrastructure that would not be needed except for this one industry. HB2578 Retail Sales and Use Tax; exemption for data centers, reports: This bill is needed to provide incentives for data centers to adhere to best practices regarding air pollution from on-site generation. Considering the high levels of particulate pollution that some generators emit, this is a public health concern in my county. HB2755 Underground transmission lines; qualifying projects: Loudoun county is being forced to tolerate additional electric infrastructure on huge towers. These lines should be built underground rather than on towers in order to minimize impact on local residents, such as myself. Thank you, -Chris Tandy

Dear Members of Subcommittee #4: I am writing you to ask that you vote HB2101, Electric utilities: data center cost allocation out of the subcommittee and onto the full Labor and Commerce committee for action. This bill would protect ratepayers from increases in their utility bills which would pay utility costs of infrastructure expansion to power data centers. Data Centers need to pay their fair share of utility such costs. I do not wish to subsidize data center utility use. Aditional, I'm asking that you vote to bring HB2755 before the full committee. This bill would fund a pilot program for underground transmission lines qualifying projects. There must be ratepaer fairness in the utility grid system. Thank you, Rev. Dr. Jean Wright, Ashburn, VA 20147

I am writing in support of these three bills.

I am a resident and business owner in Loudoun County where above ground power lines are destroying property values and our quality of life. The main thrust is that this bill provides a framework that permits energy to be delivered to high energy use customers without destroying existing residential and commercial neighborhoods that would otherwise be severely impacted by massive overhead power lines. I speak in favor of this bill.