LETTER: Where is the Washington Post’s coverage of data centers and climate change?

 

February 9, 2023     (LETTER: Where is the Washington Post’s coverage of data centers and climate change? | Opinion | princewilliamtimes.com)

 

On Nov. 28, Washington Post Executive Editor Sally Buzbee touted their expanded climate coverage (Introducing The Post’s expanded Climate coverage - The Washington Post). On Jan. 24, I received their special “Climate Solutions” edition. 

 

I e-mailed Climate & Environment Editor Zachary Goldfarb to ask if the Post is really sincere about combating climate change or merely paying it lip service.  Many readers find it curious that the Post gives generous coverage to environmental issues in far off third world regions but ignores the same issues in its own backyard. 

 

My multiple requests to the Post’s editorial staff to address environmental threats right here in the Washington D.C. metro area have been routinely ignored. Is there a reason?

 

On Jan. 20, Amazon, whose founder and executive chairman is Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Post, announced a plan to expand its data center development ambitions in Virginia in exchange for lucrative tax incentives (Amazon launches $35 billion data center expansion in Virginia - The Washington Post). There is little doubt that this announcement was timed to undermine legislation that had been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly to restrict the adverse impacts of excessive data center development on sensitive natural and historic areas (Bill to ban data centers within 1 mile of historic sites is deferred by Senate committee | News | princewilliamtimes.com).

 

The outsized influence of big-tech money is already threatening the very sovereignty of our local and state governments (Virginia promised Amazon it will withhold as many public records as possible and warn the company when it can't - Virginia Mercury). Why don’t the Post’s reporters ask Amazon why data center development cannot be accomplished in a more environmentally responsible manner? Why can’t taxpayer subsidies be used to divert development toward rural Virginia, where there is greater economic need and more compatible siting options?

 

The Post’s motto is “Democracy Dies in Darkness.”  It also dies in sunshine, right under your nose.

 

Bill Wright

Gainesville

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