June 2025 Community Conversation Summary
We are grateful to all who participated in our first Community Conversation held at the RVCC lounge on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. This was a follow-up discussion to our Impacts of Energy Forum at the Nelson Center on April 30.
Fourteen people attended, including some of the experts from organizations represented at the Forum: Gary Wood of CVEC, Elizabeth Putfark and Kat King of SELC, and Jason Leffler of Truline Solar.
Much of the conversation focused on data centers, including the rapid expansion in size and number of data centers due to Generative Artificial Intelligence. The point was made that although our internet browsing habits matter, large AI platforms and bitcoin mining are by-and-large driving this expansion, and the large electricity need that comes with it. We discussed kinds of energy loads, what legislation is being discussed, and who are the major players, including regulatory bodies like the State Corporation Commission and representatives who we can contact at all levels – Board of Supervisors, and state and national legislators. It is difficult because our grid is just not set up for this kind of transition. Lots of options were talked about from data centers shaving their operations during peak times to battery storage to data centers making their own electricity using gas powered generators which some are already doing until we can meet the demand.
Several articles and resources were shared during the event and on email:
– Weathering Climate Disasters with Resilience Hubs – RMI
– Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems
– Not all AI prompts are equal. Some emit 50x more carbon
– Google buys Botetourt County land for data center plans – Cardinal News
– Why Google’s data center project in Botetourt gets applause while others don’t and how the planning for it began long before the web even existed – Cardinal News
There was also good discussion on the role of residential solar power, electric vehicles and battery storage potential, as well as anticipated increase in power source diversification and need for grid readiness.
