File photo
By Matt de Simone
Google announced last week that the first building of its planned data center campus at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield will use air-cooling technology, a move county officials and the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) say is expected to reduce the project’s overall water demand without affecting its timeline or existing agreements.
The announcement marks the first major design update since the project was approved earlier this year. While the cooling systems for the campus’s second and third buildings remain under evaluation, Google said it will continue working with WVWA to minimize water usage and maintain its sustainability goals.
County Administrator Gary Larrowe called the announcement “a positive update for the county.”
“By moving forward with air-cooling technology for the first building, Google has provided greater certainty for the first phase of the project and reinforced that this transformational investment in our county’s future remains on schedule,” Larrowe said.
Google said the decision to use air cooling for the first building followed its standard design evaluation process.
“For the first building in Botetourt County, we determined that air cooling was the appropriate solution based on the needs of the facility and our focus on operating efficiently and responsibly,” a Google spokesperson said.
The company said cooling technology decisions are based on factors including facility design, operational requirements, efficiency and responsible resource management, while also emphasizing its commitment to engaging with the local community.
WVWA also welcomed the change, stating that it anticipates the project’s overall water demand will be lower than originally projected. However, the authority said revised demand figures are not yet available.
“The existing agreements previously posted on the Authority’s website remain in effect,” according to the statement. “The Authority remains committed to protecting existing customers by ensuring that development-related costs are covered by the developer and that reliable service and supply remains our top priority.”
In response to questions, county officials said the move to air cooling for the first building means water usage is expected to be less than initially anticipated under an all-water cooling approach. However, officials said they have not received updated estimates for average daily or peak water usage beyond the statement released by WVWA.
County officials said they have not been informed of any changes to planned infrastructure improvements as a result of the announcement. They noted the project will be built over multiple years and that each facility will incorporate the newest available technology. Officials added that all Greenfield users must connect to WVWA’s water and sewer system, and the Authority will continue leading infrastructure planning.
As for public outreach, the county said it will continue posting new information about the project on its website and social media channels as it becomes available.
The announcement also comes as county leaders continue discussing how to address public concerns surrounding the data center.
During its July meeting, the Planning Commission asked the Board of Supervisors to authorize a public forum on the county’s water supply and demand, particularly as it relates to current and future development. County staff, however, is recommending the creation of an independent commission that would evaluate the proposed Google campus’ potential impacts on water resources, the environment, infrastructure and quality of life before issuing a public report.
The board was expected to consider the Planning Commission’s request, the staff recommendation or another course of action at Tuesday’s meeting, which occurred after this edition went to press. More from that meeting will appear in next week’s edition.
Some residents have raised questions about the potential environmental impacts associated with air-cooled data centers. County officials acknowledged those concerns but cautioned against drawing conclusions from projects elsewhere.
“We know that with new technology comes questions,” the county said. “It’s easy to find stories online about extreme situations involving data centers in other parts of the country. However, those examples involve different locations, different regulations, different infrastructure, and different facility designs. They are not necessarily representative of what is proposed here.” Officials said they remain committed to sharing updated information as it becomes available.
The county also said Google’s latest announcement does not alter the assumptions used when the Board of Supervisors approved the project’s water service agreement.
According to the county, the campus will be constructed in phases, allowing each building to undergo its own engineering and design process as cooling technologies and water conservation measures continue to evolve.
Google did not provide updated water consumption estimates or quantify how much water the revised cooling approach is expected to save, saying those details will become available as project planning advances. The company also said decisions regarding cooling technologies for buildings two and three will be made as planning, permitting and development continue.
The company added that the announcement does not affect the project’s construction schedule, planned investment or anticipated employment levels in Botetourt County.
“We remain focused on advancing the project through the appropriate review and permitting processes and do not have any additional updates to share at this time,” the spokesperson said.
Transparency Alliance says questions remain
Opponents of Google’s proposed Botetourt County data center welcomed last week’s announcement but said it leaves many of their concerns unresolved.
The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance (SWVADCTA) says Google’s decision to use air cooling for the first building of its proposed Botetourt County data center campus does not resolve many of the concerns it has raised about the project.
In a statement released following Google’s announcement, the organization questioned whether the change would result in meaningful reductions in water usage until the project’s existing performance agreement is amended.
“At first glance, this appears to be a step towards finally listening to the community,” said Julie Bivins, co-founder of the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance. “But there are still many questions and concerns to be answered. Also, the current performance agreement still stands, stating that Google is allowed to use up to 8 million gallons per day (MGD) of water at full build-out. Until that contract changes, I’m not sure that an announcement stating something different actually means anything.”
The group also argued that while air cooling may reduce water use, it could require additional electrical infrastructure. The organization said it remains concerned about the project’s potential effects on energy demand, noise, pollution, property values and wildlife, and called for continued transparency as planning moves forward.
Google has said the first building’s air-cooling design was selected based on the facility’s operational needs and that updated information on water consumption and future cooling technologies will be released as project planning advances.
