Why It Matters
As Kansas communities face interest from data center developers, state and local officials are examining how other regions have managed the industrial facilities’ environmental and infrastructure demands. The decisions made now will shape long-term impacts on water resources, power grids, and local quality of life in communities across the state.
What Happened
Loudoun County, Virginia—home to 253 data centers that process 70% of the world’s internet traffic—has emerged as a case study in data center management for other regions considering similar development. Mike Turner, a county official in Loudoun, documented the region’s experience in a 56-page white paper that identifies 15 best practices for communities evaluating data center projects.
Turner’s framework addresses six core factors: sound, noise, power, water, emissions, setback distances, and appearance. “The 15 best practices are based on six factors that you have to address before we say yes to a data center: sound, power, water, emissions, setback and appearance,” Turner told the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D, as first reported by the Kansas Reflector.C., which convened roundtable discussions on data center development in Kansas City, Missouri.
Despite having adopted stricter standards than many jurisdictions, Loudoun County acknowledges gaps in its oversight. Turner stated that the county “probably doesn’t pass five of the six” factors currently. The county’s application process for data center projects takes approximately two years, and officials have spent two years crafting new ordinances to tighten regulation.
Loudoun County requires data centers to use Tier IV backup diesel generators—a standard more rigorous than federal minimums. Tier IV systems filter out more than 90% of pollutants, reducing air quality impacts compared to lower-tier alternatives.
Environmental and Infrastructure Pressures in Loudoun County
Water consumption presents one of the most pressing concerns. Loudoun County’s 253 data centers consume approximately 10% of the county’s potable water supply. Closed-loop water systems used in the facilities require recharging every few years, and wastewater discharge contains biocides, anti-corrosion chemicals, and heavy metals. In Loudoun County, this wastewater flows into the Potomac River.
Power demand is equally significant. Nationally, data centers rely on electricity from natural gas (40%), renewables (24%), nuclear (20%), and coal (15%). Since 2021, 65% of renewable power purchase agreements signed in the United States have been dedicated to data center operations, reflecting the facilities’ enormous energy consumption.
By the Numbers
253 — data centers currently operating in Loudoun County, Virginia
70% — share of the world’s internet traffic processed through Loudoun County data centers
15 — best practices Turner identified for data center development
6 — core environmental and operational factors Turner says must be addressed
2 years — time required for data center application review in Loudoun County
10% — potable water consumed by Loudoun County data centers
90% — pollutants filtered by Tier IV diesel generators
65% — renewable power purchase agreements since 2021 dedicated to data center operations
Zoom Out
Data center development has become a national infrastructure priority as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services demand exponentially more computing capacity. However, the facilities concentrate significant environmental and utility impacts in specific regions. Maryland counties have begun planning proactively for data center development before being approached by developers, a strategy that allows communities to establish baseline standards and environmental protections in advance.
Kansas faces particular water-management challenges due to ongoing drought conditions and declining aquifers, making water consumption by data centers a priority concern for state regulators and local governments. The Kansas Corporation Commission set a large load tariff in November for large power users, affecting how data centers will pay for electricity in the state. Evergy, the state’s largest electric utility, will be central to managing demand from new facilities.
The Bipartisan Policy Center’s roundtable approach, which brought together stakeholders in Kansas City, reflects growing recognition that data center policy requires coordination across multiple sectors—utilities, environmental regulators, water agencies, and local governments. Kathryn Kline Tyndall, who led the center’s roundtable discussions, noted that Turner’s framework “seems like it could be worth exploring.”
What’s Next
Kansas communities considering data center development will likely draw on Virginia’s experience as they negotiate with developers and set local standards. The state’s ongoing scrutiny of foreign influence in data center debates and utility regulation changes will shape how quickly new projects move forward. Whether Kansas adopts a proactive planning model similar to Maryland’s approach, or negotiates terms reactively with individual developers, will determine how effectively the state balances economic development with environmental stewardship and infrastructure capacity.