VCU research finds Northern Virginia data center air pollution rivals power plant emissions

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that backup generators at data centers in Northern Virginia release air pollutants at levels that in some cases exceed emissions from nearby power plants. The study by Damian Pitt, I-Shian Suen and Ellie Plisko mapped emissions from 138 data centers across Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties plus five independent cities. Researchers used permit data and actual measurements from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. They documented large increases from 2015 to 2023, including a 196 percent rise in carbon monoxide, a 111 percent increase in nitrous oxide and a 139 percent jump in particulate matter. Data centers now contribute 3 percent of carbon monoxide, 11 percent of nitrous oxide and 3 percent of particulate matter from the region's point sources. At full permitted output the share would reach 49 percent for carbon monoxide, 74 percent for nitrous oxide and 50 percent for particulate matter. Some clusters already surpass emissions from Dominion's Possum Point Power Station. Prince William and Loudoun counties contain the 10 most affected neighborhoods. Areas with lower household incomes, lower education levels and higher shares of renters face higher exposure to carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide. Generators typically operate about 5 percent of the time, though some facilities have already reached 30 percent or more of permitted emissions. A recent federal decision allowed data centers to run generators during winter storm Fern to support the grid.