County with 37 Data Centers Asks Schools to 'Conserve Electricity'

Henrico County, Virginia is asking its employees and schools to conserve electricity due to a 25% rate increase effective July 1st that will cost the county an estimated $5 million annually. The irony is that the county hosts 37 data centers with plans to build 17 more, which consume massive amounts of electricity, highlighting a tension between the county's data center boom and its public sector energy costs.