The rural community of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, faced a major threat last October when plans were announced for a massive gas-powered data center campus to be built on 2,200 acres of land. This project, proposed by Balico, LLC, would have been the largest data center in Virginia and the second-largest in the United States. The initial proposal included 84 warehouse-sized data center buildings and a 3,500-megawatt power plant fueled by natural gas, threatening the agricultural and rural residential zoning of the area.
Residents like Lexi Shelhorse, a seventh-generation resident of Pittsylvania County, and her friend Amanda Wydner, were alarmed by the potential destruction of their community and landscape. The surge in demand for data centers, driven by artificial intelligence technology, has led developers to seek out rural areas for large-scale projects due to lower land costs. This trend is not unique to Pittsylvania County, as similar battles against data center developments have been seen in other states like Alabama, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
In response to the threat, Shelhorse, Wydner, and other residents mobilized to oppose the data center project. With support from the Southern Environmental Law Center and Harvard University researchers, they engaged in a months-long struggle to protect their community. Their efforts paid off when the Pittsylvania County government rejected Balico’s request to rezone the land for data centers in April 2025, preventing the company from submitting another request until 2026.
While this victory was significant, Shelhorse emphasizes that the fight is not over. She believes that their experience can serve as a roadmap for other rural communities facing similar challenges. Shelhorse and Wydner advise early engagement in local government and consistent opposition to proposed projects. By staying informed and actively participating in the decision-making process, rural communities can protect their land and way of life from potentially harmful developments.
The battle against the gas-powered data center in Pittsylvania County serves as a testament to the power of grassroots opposition and community resilience. It highlights the importance of standing up for the environment, preserving rural landscapes, and advocating for sustainable development practices. As the demand for data centers continues to grow, it is essential for communities to be vigilant and united in protecting their homes and natural resources. She explained that the health impacts of the proposed gas-fired power plant were concerning due to the potential for increased respiratory and cardiovascular issues in the community. The emissions from the plant would not only affect local residents but also travel across state lines, impacting a larger population.
In response to these findings, the local opposition ramped up their efforts to educate the community about the dangers of the proposed development. They held town hall meetings, distributed informational flyers, and worked with local media to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with the data centers and power plant.
The opposition group also reached out to state and federal lawmakers, urging them to intervene and stop the rezoning of the land for industrial use. They cited the public health concerns raised by the Harvard researchers and emphasized the need to protect the well-being of the community.
By early 2025, the pressure from the local opposition and environmental advocacy groups had gained momentum. State regulators began to take notice of the concerns raised about the proposed development and its potential impact on public health. In March, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced that they would conduct a full environmental review of the project before making a decision on the rezoning request.
The news was a victory for Wydner and the rest of the opposition group, who had been tirelessly advocating for the protection of their community and farmland. They saw the environmental review as a crucial step in ensuring that the health and well-being of residents were prioritized over industrial development.
As the review process began, Wydner and her fellow activists remained vigilant, continuing to engage with regulators, lawmakers, and the public to highlight the risks associated with the proposed data centers and power plant. They were determined to see the project halted and the land preserved for agricultural and residential use, as it had been for generations.
For Wydner, the fight against the industrial development represented a larger battle to protect the rural way of life and the health of the community. She hoped that their efforts would serve as a reminder that the land was more than just a resource for development—it was a cherished part of their heritage that deserved to be safeguarded for future generations.
As the environmental review process continued, Wydner and her fellow activists remained hopeful that their voices would be heard and that the rezoning request would be denied. They knew that the fight was far from over, but they were prepared to do whatever it took to ensure that their community remained safe, healthy, and free from the threats posed by industrial development.
The battle over the proposed Balico data center and gas plant in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, has been intense. Concerned residents, along with attorneys like Elizabeth Putfark from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), have been fighting against the development due to its potential health and environmental impacts. Despite not being directly involved in the Balico case, Powell, another environmental attorney, highlighted the dangers of the pollutants that would be emitted by the gas plant, especially fine particulate matter.
According to a report by Harvard researchers, the health care costs associated with the plant’s emissions could amount to millions of dollars annually, reaching over $625 million by 2040. This staggering figure provided a stark contrast to the estimated revenue and tax benefits that Balico projected in its proposal to the county. The developers had promised significant tax revenue from the data centers, but behind the scenes, they had requested tax breaks from the county, which would have significantly reduced the actual revenue generated.
The looming threat of the gas plant’s emissions, with eight stacks each nearly 200 feet tall, prompted a shift in perspective among residents. Amanda Wydner, a local resident, described gas plants as unwelcome neighbors due to their long-term impacts on health and the environment. The opposition to the development was further fueled by the revelation of state-level incentives that reduced the tax revenue generated by data centers in the Southeast.
Despite the potential tax revenue that the Balico development could bring to the county, residents were concerned about the lack of significant job creation and the environmental destruction that would accompany the project. Additionally, Powell pointed out loopholes in air pollution permitting regulations that data centers often exploit, such as underreporting emissions from backup diesel generators.
In the end, the community’s resistance to the Balico project prevailed. After months of back-and-forth and a revised proposal from the developer, the local government voted to deny Balico’s rezoning application in April 2025. This decision effectively put a halt to the data center proposal for at least a year, giving residents a reprieve from the looming threat of increased pollution and health risks in their community. After months of resident pushback and vote postponements, Balico has officially withdrawn its data center proposal for Pittsylvania County. The decision comes as a relief for many local residents who were concerned about the potential impact on the community’s agricultural and rural residential areas.
Despite the withdrawal of the data center proposal, Balico maintains that an eventual data center campus is not completely off the table. The company is now exploring other potential projects for the land, which is still zoned for agricultural and rural residential use. This move comes as a surprise to many, as the community had voiced strong opposition to the data center proposal.
Elizabeth Putfark and fellow SELC attorney Christina Libre, who represented the residents in the fight against the data center, attribute their win to getting involved early and at the local level of government. They believe that Balico underestimated the resistance they would face in rural Pittsylvania County, where opposition to large-scale projects like the proposed data center does not align neatly along party lines.
According to Putfark, the potential impact of such projects on local air quality and public health is a major concern for residents, regardless of their political affiliation. The decision to withdraw the data center proposal is seen as a victory for the community, allowing residents to have a voice in shaping the future of their town.
For lifelong residents like Kathy Stump, the news of the withdrawal comes as a relief. Stump emphasized the importance of community voices being heard and acknowledged in the decision-making process. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to stand up for what they believe in and have a say in the development of their town.
Overall, the withdrawal of the data center proposal marks a significant win for the residents of Pittsylvania County. While the possibility of a data center campus in the future remains uncertain, the community can now focus on exploring other potential projects that align with their values and priorities for the land. The Benefits of Meditation for Mental Health
Meditation has been practiced for centuries as a way to calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. In recent years, there has been a growing body of scientific research that supports the numerous benefits of meditation for mental health.
One of the key benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. When we meditate, we focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the past or future. This can help to calm the mind and reduce the production of stress hormones like cortisol. Studies have shown that regular meditation practice can lead to a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Meditation has also been found to improve focus and concentration. By training the mind to stay present and focused on the breath or a mantra, we can strengthen our ability to concentrate on tasks in our daily lives. This can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle with attention deficit disorders or have difficulty staying focused at work or school.
Another benefit of meditation is its ability to improve emotional regulation. By practicing mindfulness and observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we can develop a greater awareness of our emotional patterns and triggers. This can help us to respond more calmly and thoughtfully in difficult situations, rather than reacting impulsively.
In addition to these mental health benefits, meditation has also been shown to have a positive impact on physical health. Studies have found that regular meditation practice can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and reduce inflammation in the body. These physical benefits can in turn have a positive impact on mental health, as our physical and mental well-being are closely interconnected.
Overall, the benefits of meditation for mental health are numerous and well-supported by scientific research. By incorporating a regular meditation practice into our daily routine, we can experience greater calm, focus, and emotional resilience, leading to improved overall well-being. So why not give meditation a try and see the positive impact it can have on your mental health?
