(The Center Square) – Amazon Web Services has withdrawn its application to build a sprawling new data center campus in Louisa County, pausing plans for what would have been its third major site in the area.
In a letter to county staff earlier this month, AWS land use attorney Charlie Payne said the company would “reevaluate” the proposal after receiving public feedback, including concerns raised during a June 11 community meeting. “We believe it is best at this juncture to reevaluate the proposed project,” Payne wrote.
As previously reported by The Center Square, AWS had applied for a conditional use permit to build up to 7.2 million square feet of data center buildings and seven substations on 1,370 acres north of the Northeast Creek Reservoir. The site was part of Louisa County’s Technology Overlay District, a zoning tool designed to attract tech development.
The proposal drew sharp criticism from residents and local officials over traffic, noise, water use and potential runoff into the reservoir, which supplies drinking water to central Louisa.
Supervisor Duane Adams, who represents the area, publicly opposed the plan and described one of the proposed entrances as “dangerous.”
“I don’t support this project,” Adams said at a June town hall. “When this proposal comes before the board of supervisors, I will vote no.”
The withdrawal marks a rare pause in Louisa County’s push to expand data center development, something local leaders have backed for years to bring in tech investment. This latest proposal ran into growing scrutiny over infrastructure demands and environmental risks.
At the same time, regional power costs are climbing. PJM, the electric grid operator that includes Virginia, recently reported a 22% jump in the price utilities pay to reserve future power capacity across its system. That number reflects the broader region and doesn’t break out individual states.
Nearby Augusta County is also preparing for potential data center development, with a draft comprehensive plan proposing a new overlay district to regulate site selection and water usage.
