American Battlefield Trust Says State Audit Falls Short On Recommendations To Protect Historic Sites From Data Centers
(Washington, D.C.) — Today, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission released its report on the impact of data centers in Virginia, including how data centers affect historic resources in the Commonwealth. In response to the findings detailed in the report, American Battlefield Trust President David N. Duncan released the following statement:
“The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report issued today falls short in addressing the mounting threat posed by the proliferation of data centers near invaluable historic resources across Virginia. While the American Battlefield Trust encourages the General Assembly to adopt the JLARC recommendation that all companies be required to conduct a historic resource study to quality for a tax exemption, we urge further steps be taken to save Virginia’s battlefields and historic landscapes.”
“Time and again, we have seen the disastrous effect data centers and similar large-scale developments have on historic resources in Virginia and around the country, and there are currently few legal protections in place to stop this impact. The Trust will continue to advocate for preservation of our nation's history, as hallowed ground cannot be replaced once it is gone.”
In order to combat data centers encroaching on irreplaceable historic landscapes, the Trust, along with nine local residents in Prince William County, took new legal action to block construction of Prince William Digital Gateway immediately adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park. The Trust and a coalition of local residents and battlefield groups took similar legal action against a proposed data center development in Orange County, to protect the historic Wilderness Battlefield (part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 58,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War, representing more than 160 sites in 25 states. Its 350,000 members and supporters believe in the power of place and the continued relevance of history as a means to fully understand our rights and responsibilities as Americans. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.
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