Guest Opinion: Banking on data center tax revenue? Wait before cashing that check

This opinion piece argues that Virginia localities should not count on data center tax revenue for major expenditures. It details four key risks: unpredictable revenue due to government-entity tax exemptions, rapid depreciation of computing equipment, power infrastructure delays that could leave data centers idle for years, and the $200 billion cost of new energy infrastructure that will raise electricity rates for all ratepayers. The author calls on the General Assembly and State Corporation Commission to reform the electrical rate structure before localities approve more data centers.