Henrico County, Virginia, is home to 37 data centers, with 17 more on the way. Right now, it’s being burned to a crisp amid a brutal heatwave, as is the rest of the east coast.
Thank heavens for air conditioning, right? Maybe not if you’re one of penny-pinching county’s schools: days before this heatwave descended upon the area, the Henrico public schools were asked to dial back their electricity usage, 404 Media reports.
“Beginning July 1st, the rate we pay for electricity used in all Henrico County government and school facilities will increase dramatically — by 25 percent, increasing costs by an estimated $5 million next fiscal year,” John Vithoulkas, the county manager, wrote in an email sent to thousands of county employees that was obtained by 404. “We anticipate more rate increases for electricity in the years ahead.”
Vithoulkas didn’t suggest dialing back the AC, but he may as well have. We’re firmly in heat wave season now, and it’s usually the consequent spike in demand for indoor cooling that ends up putting the most strain on the power grid. (Beyond the existing strain placed, in this case, by huge data centers.)
