Residents are concerned over $9bn Project Peanut, Loch, and Skye data centers by Google in Chesterfield over transparency. Chesterfield residents say recent attempts at dialog by Google and county leadership have fallen short. This is despite Google hosting two open houses this month to answer questions about the ongoing data center projects. Zoning changes for two of the projects were approved in public hearings by county supervisors on May 28, 2025.

Those two sites had been unveiled for public input earlier that year. Despite this, the name of the entity behind those parcels’ purchases, plus a third in the county’s eastern portion, was not revealed to be Google until August 2025. Residents at the hearings and unveilings said they were not satisfied with the answers to questions about water and energy usage or transparency at these sites. Project Jupiter is also another data center project that is facing public uproar as some oppose the project. However, some are appreciative of it as Oracle advances construction while it awaits its air emissions permit from TCEQ.

Reasons for Concerns over Project Peanut, Loch, and Skye Data Centers

Concerns over Project Peanut, Loch, and Skye data centers by Google stem from a 2018 non-disclosure agreement between Chesterfield’s Economic Development Authority and Alphabet Inc. Various entities such as Enter Data Center Defiance Central Virginia, a group organizing for more transparency in future data center deals, has taken action. Members handed a petition that which now has over 2,500 signatures to county officials at the July 22, 2026 Board of Supervisors meeting.

In the petition they are calling for Chesterfield to stop signing NDAs for data center projects. It also organized a sit-in demonstration with signs and placards outside that board meeting. Two of the data center sites, Loch and Skye, still have state and federal permits pending. However, the local, democratic rezoning process is approved. Some who gathered at the county’s government complex on July 22 said it’s not too late to make changes.

Project Overview

• Project Value: $9B
• Location: Chesterfield, Virginia
• Developer: Google
• Status: Community opposition continues

Scope

• Project Peanut campus
• Project Loch campus
• Project Skye campus
• Multiple data center developments

Project Highlights

• Local rezoning approved in 2025
• Open houses held by Google
• State and federal permits pending
• Major digital infrastructure investment

Community Concerns

• Also lack of project transparency
• Water use questions
• Energy demand concerns
• Non-disclosure agreements criticized

Key Developments

• Petition exceeds 2,500 signatures
• Public demonstrations held
• Residents seek end to NDAs
• Also additional permits still under review

Outlook

• Community scrutiny remains high
• Permitting process continues
• Residents also seek greater transparency
• Google projects continue to advance