LTE by Amanda Doughty, CCAN Action Fund Volunteer from Newport News, VA, initially published in the Virginian Pilot.

Re “General Assembly requires special session for budget” (A1, March 15): As Virginia’s General Assembly continues its budget negotiations, data centers have become a major priority for good reason. These facilities consume enormous amounts of electricity, which utilities justify to build billions of dollars of infrastructure, all while residential customers unfairly shoulder the burden of these costs.

Relying on fossil fuels to meet that demand means forcing Virginians to pay for expensive new infrastructure, continuing operations within obsolete power plants, and subjecting us to volatile fuel prices impacted by global conflicts such as the war in Iran. Gas and other fossil fuels are not only harmful to the environment, but they’re subject to unpredictable price spikes that drive up costs for everyone, from households to small businesses. Every time global markets shift, Virginians feel it in their pockets.

Clean energy offers the smarter path forward. Solar and wind are now the most affordable and stable sources of power, produced here in Virginia with no fuel costs. By powering data centers with clean energy, Virginia can avoid building expensive, antiquated infrastructure while keeping electricity costs low and protecting our communities from pollution that leads to dangerous health risks.

No matter what happens during budget conversations in the General Assembly, one principle must guide these decisions: Data centers need to be held accountable for using clean energy. It’s the only way to ensure Virginia’s energy future is reliable, affordable and truly sustainable.

LTE by Amanda Doughty, CCAN Action Fund Volunteer from Newport News, VA, initially published in the Virginian Pilot.