Virginia ‘Data Center Alley’ residents ask who the AI boom helps

The data center footprint in Loudoun County has more than doubled in the last five years, covering over 53 million square feet.

STERLING, Va. — When Hari Doue’s 9-year-old twins have tried to sleep in their suburban Virginia home, something has been keeping the boys awake: a “high-pitched whining” sound that wasn’t there before. The sound is generated by the data center that was built nearby.

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