Mobile billboards to urge lawmakers to support clean energy for data centers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2026

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org 

RICHMOND, Va. — Mobile billboards will be out in Richmond on June 16 and 18 to help spread the message that, whatever lawmakers decide to do about tax breaks for data centers, they should make sure that the power-hungry facilities use clean energy.

Appalachian Voices paid for the billboards, which will run near the Capitol on days legislators are working on budget negotiations. The House and Senate budgets were far apart when the body adjourned in March, with the two chambers proposing vastly different tax treatment of data centers and different spending packages.

Regardless of how the General Assembly and the governor resolve that conflict, Appalachian Voices urges lawmakers to ensure the use of clean energy for data centers to limit pollution and its health impact on Virginians.

“Any budget deal that the General Assembly passes should require the data center industry to use clean energy and to use water responsibly,” said Director of State Energy Policy Peter Anderson. “Virginians are rightfully standing up to a sector that has driven up electric bills, increased air pollution, strained water supplies in some areas, and disturbed locals’ peace with noisy operations.”