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Activate Virginia

@activateva.bsky.social
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"Attorney Andrew Bodoh wrote a protocol to mitigate some of the “slop” produced in AI-generated FOIA requests."
joshstanfield.substack.com
A Virginia AI FOIA Protocol
Attorney Andrew Bodoh wrote a protocol to mitigate some of the slop produced in AI-generated FOIA requests.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"A new statewide study finds that 42% of Virginia households experienced food insecurity during the past year, with Southwest Virginia reporting the highest rate in the commonwealth."
wsls.com
Southwest Virginia reports the highest rate of food insecurity in the commonwealth
A new statewide study finds that 42% of Virginia households experienced food insecurity during the past year, with Southwest Virginia reporting the highest rate in the state.
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Reposted by Activate Virginia
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"A VCIJ analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country. A year later, town leaders voted to dump the AI-powered surveillance network."
vcij.org
A small Virginia town de-Flocks — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
A VCIJ at WHRO analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country. A year later, town leaders voted to dump...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Portsmouth became the first city in the region to allow collective bargaining for public employees in 2023. Nearly three years later, city council voted unanimously Tuesday to implement rules to make those negotiations possible."
whro.org
Portsmouth council votes to establish collective bargaining framework for public employees
The city is the eighth locality in Virginia to give its employees negotiating power.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"Norfolk native becomes 19th known soldier death since start of Iran war"
wavy.com
Norfolk native becomes 19th known soldier death since start of Iran war
(The Hill) – The Pentagon has officially upped the number of service members who have died in the Middle East since the start of the Iran war, adding one additional death to bring the disclos…
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"A VCIJ analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country. A year later, town leaders voted to dump the AI-powered surveillance network."
vcij.org
A small Virginia town de-Flocks — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
A VCIJ at WHRO analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country. A year later, town leaders voted to dump...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"There were enough of data centers that did this, and that caused a huge three gigawatts of power loss," Mehrizi-Sani said.
richmond.com
3 gigawatts briefly vanished from the grid last week. Data centers appear to be the reason why.
A transmission fault in Northern Virginia briefly removed 3 gigawatts of demand as data centers switched to backup power, sending measurable grid ripples across the Eastern U.S.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"It’s hard to describe in only a few words what Virginia Clerks of Courts do."
whro.org
Virginia’s clerks of court are elected to be record keepers, among hundreds of other jobs
Gloucester County will elect a new Clerk of Court this November. Here’s what clerks do.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Regulatory filings reveal 1,400 MW of new data center plans across three Goochland sites
richmond.com
Regulatory filings reveal 1,400 MW of new data center plans across three Goochland sites
Dominion filings reveal Goochland could see 1,400 MW of new data center demand across three sites, expanding a technology boom already reshaping the Route 288 corridor.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"A document detailing NextEra Energy’s alleged involvement in election interference, bribery, and pay-to-play media could soon become public."
energyandpolicy.org
Virginia regulators could require NextEra to turn over memo alleging evidence of wrongdoing
NextEra is fighting to keep a memo secret that allegedly ties its executives to ghost candidates, dark money, and bribery. Here's what court filings say is inside.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
“It’s important that people on the outside who still don’t know about these places know that it is their money being used to fund this place.”
vpm.org
As summer heat intensified, complaints emerged from Farmville Detention Center - VPM
Advocates say the facility’s operator isn’t doing enough to mitigate severe heat.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Both Virginia Beach and Portsmouth are no longer allowing campaign signs to line the walk outside of the Voter Registrar’s Office."
wavy.com
Virginia Beach & Portsmouth ban campaign signs at early voting sites
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Early in-person voting continues to be a popular option, however in two cities, a decision on campaign signs isn’t sitting well with everyone. Both Virginia Bea…
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Goochland County is encouraging data center development along five miles of its border with Henrico, prompting pushback from Western Henrico residents who live less than a mile away."
henricocitizen.com
'We need our Henrico leadership to step up': Nearby Goochland data center park prompts concerns for Henrico residents
Goochland County is encouraging data center development along five miles of its border with Henrico, prompting pushback from Western Henrico residents who live less than a mile away. Since Goochland’...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"“If it really isn’t going to be this burdensome thing then they should have an opportunity to hear from families about how it is going to work for them,” Cohen told Radio IQ ahead of the letter being sent to the Governor."
wvtf.org
Spanberger asked to delay start of home caregiver electronic reporting system
“If it really isn’t going to be this burdensome thing then they should have an opportunity to hear from families about how it is going to work for them,” Delegate Cohen said.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Former owners of the inactive, bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill in Chesterfield County have been indicted and are wanted by authorities, according to court records, as state officials investigate a leachate release from the site in early August."
wric.com
Former owners of bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill in Chesterfield indicted, listed as fugitives
Former owners of the inactive, bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill in Chesterfield County have been indicted and are wanted by authorities, according to court records, as state officials investigate a leac…
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Tribal leaders say the bay partnership proved unwilling to offer signatory status, a failure to recognize tribal sovereignty, said Melissa Ann Ehrenreich, executive director of the council."
marylandmatters.org
Native American tribes wanted to join the Chesapeake Bay partnership. Not anymore. - Maryland Matters
Seven federally recognized Native American tribes are ending their bid to formally join the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, saying they have been disappointed by the response from Bay Program leaders.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"A document detailing NextEra Energy’s alleged involvement in election interference, bribery, and pay-to-play media could soon become public."
energyandpolicy.org
Virginia regulators could require NextEra to turn over memo alleging evidence of wrongdoing
NextEra is fighting to keep a memo secret that allegedly ties its executives to ghost candidates, dark money, and bribery. Here's what court filings say is inside.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
An inside look at Henrico Police’s new social media monitoring technology
henricocitizen.com
An inside look at Henrico Police’s new social media monitoring technology
Henrico Police is using new threat-detection software to get ahead of potential conflicts before they happen, but a Henrico official already has sounded the alarm on how the technology could pose priv...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"That said, I’m writing to let our readers know that The Advance won’t be taking any more ads from data center companies, or from anyone promoting or representing them, going forward."
fxbgadvance.com
FXBG Advance Retreating on Data Center Ads (and a Few More Updates)
THE FXBG ADVANCE TUESDAY 9/22/26 AFTERNOON READ
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"Virginia school board settles with parents, reverses policy that blocked LGBTQ+ student club"
virginiamercury.com
Virginia school board settles with parents, reverses policy that blocked LGBTQ+ student club • Virginia Mercury
King George School Board updates policy to expand non-curricular clubs, enhance parental input
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"Religious areas tend to see higher divorce rates..So do areas that are more politically conservative. “That feels like a paradox,” she said. But those areas generally see more people marrying at younger ages — one of the biggest predictors of divorce."
virginiamercury.com
Divorce becomes next battleground as Virginia, other states debate family values • Virginia Mercury
Cerina Fairfax, a Virginia dentist and mother of two, spent nearly two years living in the same house as her husband while she was trying to divorce him. Virginia state law required couples with child...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
“I would love for the county to do literally anything that shows they are concerned with the citizens already here,” she said. “That’s what we’ve always done … get these big guys to come here and pay people as little wage as possible.”
cardinalnews.org
3 or 4 data centers could be coming to a former coal mine site in Russell County
The land is owned by the industrial development authority, whose members signed a nondisclosure agreement and remain mum on the project.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"His base salary increases 12%, from roughly $896,000 last year. He will receive deferred compensation of almost $490,000 and is eligible for a bonus of up to $250,000, depending on his performance."
richmond.com
VCU board gives president Michael Rao a $1 million base salary
If Rao receives the highest bonus possible, he will earn roughly $1.7 million this year.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"Public trust is beginning to fray in New Kent County in an intensifying debate over potential data center development."
richmond.com
Data center opponents question New Kent supervisor land sale
Public trust is beginning to fray in New Kent County in an intensifying debate over potential development of data centers, as opponents raise concern about supervisor's land sale.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones’ office is asking the State Corporation Commission to effectively restart the review timeline for Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy’s proposed merger..."
virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com
AG asks SCC to restart Dominion-NextEra merger review clock
Attorney General Jay Jones’ office is asking the State Corporation Commission to effectively restart the review timeline for Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy’s proposed merger...
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Reposted by Activate Virginia
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"On Friday, Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie S. Compton announced her office was cancelling its contract with Flock Safety effective immediately and all cameras under her prevue would be removed."
pjrnews.com
Rapp Sheriff caves to residents’ concern over FLOCK cameras - The Piedmont Journal Recorder
On Friday, Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie S. Compton announced her office was cancelling its contract with Flock Safety effective immediately and all cameras under her prevue would be removed.  “O...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“I don’t think that Richmonders are going to be happy with knowing our airport is being used to shuffle detainees from place to place,” said Paul Fleisher, one of the event organizers and a member of RVA Indivisible.
wric.com
‘It’s un-American’: crowd protests ICE flights at Richmond airport
Protesters lined up outside Richmond International Airport (RIC) Saturday morning demanding a stop in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights at their local airfield.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Nobody silenced you. They buried you. You dig out through people, not through volume."
antiauthoritarianplaybook.substack.com
Nobody Silenced You
ON PETER POMERANTSEV - CENSORSHIP BY ABUNDANCE
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"An ordinance amendment that removes data centers as a permitted or conditional use in Frederick County was approved by the Board of Supervisors on a 6-1 vote Wednesday night."
winchesterstar.com
Data centers stripped as allowable use in Frederick County
An ordinance amendment that removes data centers as a permitted or conditional use in Frederick County was approved by the Board of Supervisors on a 6-1 vote Wednesday night.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Now, the reason this is relevant is because a local pastor K.J. Washington from the New Valley Church is currently running for school board in Waynesboro, announcing his campaign on June 8th. What is not as known is that on May 8th a video was shared..."
latinosinva.substack.com
Can religious and political beliefs truly be separated from the school system.
The rising of conservatism and outright Christian Nationalist ideals...
011
Reposted by Activate Virginia
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“I think people are not aware that these ICE flights are happening,” Fleisher said. “In fact, I talked to a local business person who works right down here in Sandston, within view of the airport. They had no idea.”
rvamag.substack.com
Richmonders Don’t Know How Many ICE Flights Are Happening
by R. Anthony Harris
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“Seven of ours have been damaged,” Jamison said. “...Vandalized, damaged, thrown into a marsh and destroyed. So for whoever’s, you know, if you know anybody that may be involved in that, just remember..."
williamsburgwatch.com
James City Flock cameras vandalized, chief reveals
It’s Sept. 21. James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison says 7 of county’s Flock cameras were vandalized. Supervisors meet with local General Assembly representatives.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“There’s been so much public trust eroded. And what I worry about with this executive order, as many good things as are in it, it doesn’t stop the fire,” Montrose said.
wric.com
‘It doesn’t stop the fire’: Community reacts to Spanberger’s new data center framework
Community members are reacting after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced her new Data Center Accountability Framework on Friday, echoing mixed reviews from lawmakers.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“Seven of ours have been damaged,” Jamison said. “...Vandalized, damaged, thrown into a marsh and destroyed. So for whoever’s, you know, if you know anybody that may be involved in that, just remember..."
williamsburgwatch.com
James City Flock cameras vandalized, chief reveals
It’s Sept. 21. James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison says 7 of county’s Flock cameras were vandalized. Supervisors meet with local General Assembly representatives.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"A national self-storage company wants to convert part of its James City County facility into a small data center to support faster artificial intelligence services."
whro.org
Storage company looks to make small data center in part of its James City County building
It’s part of a national venture by Prime Storage alongside Microsoft and one of the biggest South Korean conglomerates.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“I think people are not aware that these ICE flights are happening,” Fleisher said. “In fact, I talked to a local business person who works right down here in Sandston, within view of the airport. They had no idea.”
rvamag.substack.com
Richmonders Don’t Know How Many ICE Flights Are Happening
by R. Anthony Harris
18653
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"A whistleblower alleged that Department of Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter records."
pilotonline.com
Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter rolls, whistleblower alleges
The whistleblower alleges agents working on the Unlawful Voter Initiative — the department’s name for its investigation — had used Virginia’s voter registration database to cross-reference names of no...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Portsmouth became the first city in the region to allow collective bargaining for public employees in 2023. Nearly three years later, city council voted unanimously Tuesday to implement rules to make those negotiations possible."
whro.org
Portsmouth council votes to establish collective bargaining framework for public employees
The city is the eighth locality in Virginia to give its employees negotiating power.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"The SCC will hold a local hearing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Christopher Newport University Freeman Center’s Gaines Theater in Newport News."
pilotonline.com
A Dominion-NextEra merger public hearing is set for Newport News
The SCC will hold one of three in-person public hearings on the proposed Dominion Energy and NextEra merger on Oct. 7 at Christopher Newport University Freeman Center’s Gaines Theater in Newport News.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Now, the reason this is relevant is because a local pastor K.J. Washington from the New Valley Church is currently running for school board in Waynesboro, announcing his campaign on June 8th. What is not as known is that on May 8th a video was shared..."
latinosinva.substack.com
Can religious and political beliefs truly be separated from the school system.
The rising of conservatism and outright Christian Nationalist ideals...
011
Reposted by Activate Virginia
Mgindmv @mgindmv.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If we had leadership & a statewide ban on ALPRs our school boards and citizens groups wouldn't have to be the only ones protecting our civil liberties!
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Reposted by Activate Virginia
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Will Augusta County be the next one to be De-Flocked?
latinosinva.substack.com
Will Augusta County be the next one to be De-Flocked?
Donald Smith, the Sheriff of Augusta County, spoke at the Board of supervisors work meeting today about Flock cameras.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
McDaniel Seeks Flock Camera Ban On Fairfax School Property; DeFlock Fairfax Backs Motion
patch.com
McDaniel Seeks Flock Camera Ban On Fairfax School Property; DeFlock Fairfax Backs Motion
Kyle McDaniel's proposal would bar Flock cameras on Fairfax school property while exempting bus and school-zone safety cameras.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"The mayor of Haysi was arrested after being indicted this week on eight credit card fraud and embezzlement charges, according to the Virginia State Police."
cardinalnews.org
Haysi’s mayor arrested following indictments on 8 fraud and embezzlement charges
Larry D. Yates was being held without bond Friday in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon and will appear in court Tuesday.
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Will Augusta County be the next one to be De-Flocked?
latinosinva.substack.com
Will Augusta County be the next one to be De-Flocked?
Donald Smith, the Sheriff of Augusta County, spoke at the Board of supervisors work meeting today about Flock cameras.
1106
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"The unorganized prove again and again their willingness to join the unions, in growing numbers and in many different sectors, but the unions largely trail along with only scattered and timid campaigns of organization – if they mount any at all."
mltoday.com
The AFL-CIO Numbers Gimmick - MLToday
facebook Twitter Like Gmail By Chris Townsend September 16, 2026   All dealings with U.S. labor unions or discussions about them invariably give rise to the obvious question about their numerical memb...
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"There is so much at stake for Virginians with this proposed takeover of Dominion Energy by NextEra,” Lt. Gov. Hashmi said. “What burdens are we going to be placing on our children and grandchildren? Those are important issues for us to determine.”
wdbj7.com
At Issue: Sept. 20 focuses on Dominion-NextEra deal, one-on-one with Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi
A historic $67 billion deal to create the largest utility in the country has dominated conversations and is the focus of this week’s “At Issue with Kate Capodanno.”
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Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“I don’t think that Richmonders are going to be happy with knowing our airport is being used to shuffle detainees from place to place,” said Paul Fleisher, one of the event organizers and a member of RVA Indivisible.
wric.com
‘It’s un-American’: crowd protests ICE flights at Richmond airport
Protesters lined up outside Richmond International Airport (RIC) Saturday morning demanding a stop in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights at their local airfield.
055
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"On Friday, Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie S. Compton announced her office was cancelling its contract with Flock Safety effective immediately and all cameras under her prevue would be removed."
pjrnews.com
Rapp Sheriff caves to residents’ concern over FLOCK cameras - The Piedmont Journal Recorder
On Friday, Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie S. Compton announced her office was cancelling its contract with Flock Safety effective immediately and all cameras under her prevue would be removed.  “O...
1123
Reposted by Activate Virginia
Activate Virginia @activateva.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"A substation failure last summer that resulted in a Microsoft data center in Leesburg switching to backup generators has resulted in the Department of Environmental Quality requiring the company to pay $2.5 million for exceeding its air quality permit."
loudounnow.com
DEQ Requires Microsoft to Pay $2.5M for Leesburg Data Center Air Pollution
A substation failure last summer that resulted in a Microsoft data center in Leesburg switching to backup generators has resulted in the Department of Environmental Quality requiring the company to
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