Henrico County, Virginia has 37 data centers – and its planning on building 17 more. But according to 404 Media, on June 26th the county asked schools and government workers to cut back on electricity use. The County Manager informed county employees that as of July 1st, the electricity rate paid by the county was going up by 25% – increasing costs by about $5 million. So to mitigate the increases, county employees were asked to do things like “turn off lights” and “adjust blinds.” This is in the midst of a historic heat wave rocking the country. Henrico County will see temperatures rise to 100 degrees, and has issued an excessive heat warning to residents.

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