- County manager asks public sector workers to reduce consumption amid 25% price increase
- Hundreds of data centers in Virginia are putting huge strain on the network
- The region is also facing a temporary drought due to low rainfall.
Henrico County in Virginia is asking public sector employees to reduce electricity consumption after a recent increase in energy costs.
Under new demands laid out by County Administrator John Vithoulkas, employees are asked to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms, turn off computers at the end of each day, close blinds to reduce heat (and therefore air conditioning requirements), unplug unused appliances and avoid using space heaters.
These measures are intended to offset the estimated $5 million increase in the country’s annual electricity bill, caused by the nearly 25% increase in rates.
Virginia County warns of exorbitant electricity bills
Vithoulkas also warned employees on June 26, 2026 that electricity rates for all county government buildings and schools would increase by 24.9% starting July 1.
The county manager is also concerned that additional electricity price increases could occur in the coming years as Virginia is now one of the fastest growing data center hubs in the US.
Henrico County alone is home to 37 data centers, with another 17 already in the pipeline. The state itself has more than 400 active data centers within its borders, and Northern Virginia is often referred to as “Data Center Alley.”
Land availability, strong fiber and undersea cable connectivity, and proximity to Washington DC are among the attractions of locating new projects in Virginia, but a high concentration of data centers in the region has put great pressure on local networks.
But it’s not just electricity that residents are being asked to ration. On July 1, Vithoulkas also asked residents to conserve water by taking shorter showers, washing only full loads of dishes and clothes and turning off automatic lawn sprinklers due to temporary dry conditions following a period of below-average rainfall. Data center cooling requirements likely account for some of the county’s water consumption.
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