City Council vote marks major win for local advocates and environmental groups concerned about the impacts of rapid data center expansion.

CHESAPEAKE, VA — As calls grow across Virginia for a statewide moratorium on data center development, the Chesapeake City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to suspend its review of data center applications for eight months. This decision follows hours of public testimony earlier this month, where residents raised concerns that the city’s proposed data center ordinance did not go far enough to protect communities. This moratorium marks a major win for local advocates and environmental groups who have pushed for stronger safeguards around the rapid expansion of data centers in Hampton Roads and across the state. 

At a recent Chesapeake Planning Commission meeting, a packed room of residents voiced concerns about noise, setbacks, water and energy use, and preserving Chesapeake’s rural character. Many also criticized the limited timeline for reviewing the draft ordinance and a lack of transparency in the process, noting that some residents first learned about the proposal through social media. With the pause now in place, residents will have additional time to weigh in as the city drafts a revised ordinance with stronger protections.  

“This is a win for the residents of Chesapeake and an opportunity for the City to honor its promise to listen to community members when drafting a new policy,” said Michelle Ueltschi, Hampton Roads Organizer for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund. “I have spoken with countless community members who are frustrated with the inability to provide meaningful input on such a key issue, and I am glad that the City Council has promised to provide residents with that opportunity in the coming months. We should use this pause to ensure that the City’s ordinance ultimately protects communities from toxic air pollution and not accept half-measures that allow the burning of on-site diesel and gas. This decision can serve as a model for other localities and state lawmakers to hit pause on data center development until proper regulations are put in place to protect communities.” 

The Chesapeake decision comes amid increasing pressure for a statewide moratorium, as communities across Virginia grapple with the rapid growth of data centers and their impacts on land use, energy demand, water resources, and air quality. CCAN Action Fund and partner organizations are calling on state lawmakers to temporarily halt new approvals while Virginia establishes clear, enforceable standards for siting, environmental protections, and community engagement.

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund is dedicated to driving change in public policies at the local, state and national level to address the climate crisis. Through voter education, lobbying, and participation in the electoral process, we seek to advance our country’s leadership in the global movement towards clean energy solutions — focusing our efforts primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We know that a vibrant democracy is central to our success so we work to defend democratic integrity wherever we can.