A Center for Environmental Policy (CEP) Public Conference at American University’s Constitution Hall on October 22, 2026, 9 am to 2 pm.

The debate over data centers has become a touchstone of public reaction in many parts of the US. But the antagonism in public opinion regarding data center construction and use addresses several separate but related issues, to be explored at this one-day conference at American University, sponsored by the School of Public Affairs and the Center for Environmental Policy (CEP). The conference will feature elected officials from Virginia, opponents and supporters of the data center build-out who will explain their reasoning, and national leaders and analysts of the emerging patterns of data center implementation. The focus will be on assessing the policies in place, both in Virginia and across the US, and which have succeeded, and which have not.

While focused most directly on the environmental aspects of the data center build-out, this conference will also address other issues raised (such as affordability of utilities and other causes of citizen concern), as they are intertwined, and comprehensive policy solutions addressing only part of the problem are incomplete.

The conference, to be held at American University’s Constitution Hall from 9 am to 2 pm on October 22 (with coffee and hors d’oeuvres available during breaks), will feature an initial panel of speakers who will discuss the state of the data center debate in Northern Virginia. Panelists will assess the moratorium on new data center plans in Loudoun County and the lessons learned from the extensive data center construction there. A second panel will delve more deeply into the role of elected officials and policymakers in addressing citizen concerns and take stock of the successes and shortcomings of Loudoun’s data center build out, and the “lessons” of Loudoun for other regions of the US on the eve of national midterm elections. A third panel will broaden the discussion to assess trends and patterns nationwide, seeking to understand the perspectives of Washington-based trade associations, industry, non-profits, and citizens’ groups.

Rather than having participants come away from the event with a singular view of this complex issue, we expect they will instead leave the conference with a sense of the complexity of the issues, but with greater certainty in their understanding.

 

 

Panel 1: Taking Stock of the Data Center Build-Out in Northern Virginia (9:15am-10:45 am)

Panelists to include:

Chris Miller - President of Piedmont Environmental Council 

Russet Perry -  Virginia State Senator for 31st District

 

Panel 2: The Role of Public Policy (11:00am-12:15pm)

Panelists to inlcude:

Steve Clemmer - Director of Energy Research, Union of Concerned Scientists’ Climate and Energy Program

Kristen Umstattd -  Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Member, Leesburg District Supervisor 

 

Panel 3: Reconciling National Interest Groups’ Positions (12:30pm-1:45 pm)

Panelists to include: 

Robin Gaster - Research Director, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation's Center for Clean Energy Innovation

Ginny Marcille-Kerslake - Senior Organizer, Food and Water Watch; Partner of the National Environmental Coalition (Stop Data Centers Coalition)

Michele Nellenbach - Vice President of Federal Affairs, Data Center Coalition