Data Center Coalition

DCC is excited to welcome Stacie Richard to our team as Digital Communications Specialist.   Stacie is a communications professional with a diverse background in journalism and public relations. Stacie began her career working in local news with NBC affiliate stations before transitioning to corporate communications.   Stacie will support expansion of DCC’s communications-related advocacy efforts on behalf of our members.   https://lnkd.in/gHA3QTTV  

Today, the White House issued an Executive Order on advancing U.S. leadership in AI infrastructure, which recognizes the essential role of the #datacenter industry in promoting America’s national security and global economic competitiveness. The need to quickly scale data center capacity continues to increase, given the growing demand for AI and other digital services by individuals, households, businesses, government, and organizations of all sizes.   DCC looks forward to continuing to engage with federal policymakers and other stakeholders to identify and implement holistic solutions that accelerate responsible development of America’s digital infrastructure and AI.

Data centers have become essential to supporting Virginia’s bright economic future. Today, DCC President Josh Levi authored a column in the Richmond Times-Dispatch highlighting how Virginia’s comprehensive JLARC report fundamentally validates the Commonwealth’s leadership in attracting and nurturing this important industry.   “Underscoring the substantial economic benefits data centers provide to residents and local communities, JLARC found that the industry annually supports 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, and $9.1 billion in GDP in Virginia. In fiscal year 2023, statewide data center investment was $24 billion, and from 2022-2024 data centers accounted for 84% of all capital investment tracked by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.   JLARC also recognizes that data centers generate substantial tax revenue that funds important community priorities like education, public safety and transportation across the commonwealth — all while requiring relatively few public services to support their own operations and employees."   Read Josh’s full column here:   #datacenters #digitalinfrastructure #Virginia #investment

DCC appreciated Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's engagement with DCC and the #datacenter industry in the development of its just released 2024 Report on U.S. Data Center Energy Use.    In addition to noting the industry’s current and growing electricity needs, the report also acknowledges that this “surge in data center electricity demand, however, should be understood in the context of the much larger electricity demand that is expected to occur over the next few decades from a combination of electric vehicle adoption, onshoring of manufacturing, hydrogen utilization, and the electrification of industry and buildings. Research initiatives are needed not merely to identify strategies to meet data centers’ future energy needs, but also to help stakeholders use this relatively near-term electricity demand for data centers as an opportunity to develop the leadership and strategic foundation for an economy-wide expansion of electricity infrastructure.” DCC looks forward to continued collaboration with utilities, regulators, policymakers, and other stakeholders on these important energy policy topics. https://lnkd.in/gciVMkkw

We appreciate the Virginia State Corporation Commission convening an informative technical conference on #datacenters and load growth and providing DCC's Director of Energy Policy and Regulatory Affairs Aaron Tinjum the opportunity to participate in this important discussion. Meeting this moment will require greater communication, collaboration, and transparency among utilities, regulators, grid operators, customers, and other key stakeholders. For our part, the Data Center Coalition is leaning in as an engaged partner in Virginia, and across the country. 

DCC was proud to join The Association of Union Constructors and members of the union construction industry for #STUC2024. DCC members Vanessa Kennedy of STACK, Matthew Moews of CloudHQ, and Natalie Mitchell (Stewart) of Switch joined DCC Vice President Allison M. Gilmore, CAE for a discussion on current trends in the #datacenter industry, policy challenges companies are seeing at the local, state, and national level, and the unique elements involved in data center construction and maintenance. 

The “Data Centers in Virginia” study from the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) validates Virginia’s leadership in attracting and nurturing this dynamic, critical industry over the past 15 years. The report recognizes that the data center industry continues to make substantial contributions to communities across the Commonwealth and speaks to the industry’s essential role in providing digital infrastructure, enabling the modern economy, and driving statewide investment, job creation, and supply chain and ecosystem development.   DCC appreciates the time, attention, and effort that has gone into the JLARC study process and was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the feedback process along with hundreds of other diverse voices and stakeholders. The study includes valuable recommendations and policy considerations and provides a fact-based assessment that will facilitate important and informed dialogue among state and local policymakers, data center leaders, and many other stakeholder groups. Read DCC's full statement on the JLARC study: https://lnkd.in/g6TSTvUV.

#Datacenters rely on a diverse and dynamic network of service providers, suppliers, and partners in every market where they operate. For each job inside a data center, 6 additional jobs are created in the #economy. Thank you Chris Gregory and SteelFab, Inc. for your strong partnership and support in highlighting the broader economic impacts of the data center industry!

DCC is proud to support Virginia Connects and this new video – “Threads” – that tells the story of Virginia’s data center industry and how it keeps all of us connected to what matters most.   DCC is part of a broad coalition of stakeholders, including more than 25 organizations throughout Virginia, who support the essential infrastructure #datacenters provide in our daily lives and 21st-century economy.   Virginia Connects will continue to raise awareness of Virginia’s successful role as a global data center leader, fostering a bright future for businesses, communities, and individuals across the Commonwealth.   Check out the video here!

DCC is excited to welcome Cy McNeill to our team as Director of Federal Energy Policy! Cy has extensive experience advancing federal policy related to electric transmission, siting and permitting reform, energy market design, and foreign trade. Cy will support expansion of DCC’s federal energy-related advocacy efforts on behalf of our members. https://lnkd.in/gJPNwqUF