An update on our environmental work at the proposed Wellington datacenter site

In 2024, Microsoft purchased land in Prince William County, Virginia for the purpose of datacenter development. While datacenter development has yet to commence, we have started the process of applying for permits. The project remains in the early planning and permitting stage with actual datacenter construction still a long way off.

Microsoft is committed to responsible development on this site, respecting the unique and challenging environmental history of this land. We’re working with local partners to carry out all necessary environmental remediation and ensure our future plans have appropriately considered the local context and adequately protect the community from future environmental degradation.

This environmental work is the reason that we’ve started the planning and permitting process so early – taking the necessary time to ensure plans are advanced responsibly, in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.

The approximately 124-acre property is located on Wellington Road in Gainesville, Virginia, and has a history of industrial use that predates Microsoft’s ownership and resulted in soil and groundwater contamination. Cleanup of this pre-existing contamination continues under a longstanding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consent order, which outlines the cleanup requirements and mandates ongoing reporting to the EPA. Under government oversight, the prior industrial operator remains responsible for maintaining the site’s groundwater treatment and monitoring systems and addressing the contamination. Microsoft is funding and providing technical support to relocate and modernize the treatment infrastructure so cleanup can continue as property plans advance.

Microsoft and the previous industrial operator are coordinating with the EPA, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Prince William County, and other agencies to ensure that our plans comply with all existing regulations and any necessary environmental reviews and approvals are completed before any work moves forward.

Additional information about the property’s cleanup history can be found here: EPA RCRA ID: VAD023741705 | US EPA

As plans are developed, Microsoft’s approach will be to avoid and minimize impacts on wetlands, waterways, and other natural resources. If impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate permits would be sought, and mitigation measures such as funding for stream and wetland restoration would be incorporated into the project. As construction moves forward, environmental controls will address stormwater, erosion, soil, dust, and waste. Additionally, materials will be evaluated and managed in accordance with applicable requirements.

We will continue to share updates with the local community as plans advance and key milestones are reached.