What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future · Slate Podcasts

Data Centers on the Ballot

November 14, 2025·22 min·2 clips

A Virginia candidate's ad about losing family farms to data centers resonated so much it swung votes in a tight race.

This episode explores how data centers have become a pivotal local issue in Virginia elections, cutting across party lines. Reporter Margaret Barthel discusses the economic benefits, massive tax incentives, and resident complaints about noise, environmental impact, and energy use, highlighting their growing political influence.

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