As a long-time Virginian, and a resident of Fauquier County, I am aghast at the DEQ proposal to expand the potential use of emergency back-up generators at data centers.

Data centers are OUT OF CONTROL -- and they are behaving like economic bullies.  They are driving our electric grid to the brink, and driving up electricity rates.  ENOUGH!  

As an environmental agency, please honor your responsibility to protect the health of Virginians. 

YOU KNOW HOW POLLUTING DATA CENTER BACK-UP GENERATORS ARE -- ESPECIALLY TIER IV DIESEL GENERATORS -- AND HOW LARGE THEY ARE -- AND YOU KNOW THAT MANY ARE SITED NEAR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, AND RECREATIONAL AREAS.  

DO NOT DO THIS.  DO NOT CATER TO THE DATA CENTER INDUSTRY AND ALL ITS EXCESSES -- AND ITS SECRECY -- AND THE ENORMOUS ADVERSE IMPACTS IT IS ALREADY HAVING ON VIRGINIANS.

If you implement the guidance you have proposed, you will be complicit in enabling data centers (and Dominion Energy) to pollute and impair our state. 

DO NOT DO THIS.