I support of a temporary local variance for the operation of emergency generators by data centers in the Counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William for the following reasons:
The variance proposed by the DEQ is limited to peak times of energy usage in between the months of March and July, and during environmental disasters.
Taking the data centers of the grid will keep homes, schools, businesses, and emergency services safe from electrical outages
The temporary variance will be optional and contingent on notice from utility providers to ensure that generators will be subject to active monitoring, reporting, and regulatory oversight during any limited periods of run-time.
It will allow time for DEQ partnering with electric companies and the data centers to work out long-term solutions to prevent future outages, including a formal "Demand Response" or "Load Curtailment" program which other states, such as California and Texas, have.
