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Data Center Health Costs Spark Zoning Battles in Virginia

Hacker News •
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A Virginia data center faces mounting criticism over health impacts from its on-site gas turbines, as new research quantifies significant public health costs. Harvard researchers, using EPA modeling, predict the Vantage facility's emissions could cause tens of millions in annual health impacts, affecting areas far beyond its Loudoun County location. Michael Cork's analysis funded by the Piedmont Environmental Council highlights the hidden costs of data center infrastructure, challenging the notion that these facilities are purely about reliability and affordability. The $31 million annual health burden identified for a similar project underscores the public health implications of siting power generation near densely populated regions.