My public comment to the Washington County Commission sent by email in advance of their meeting on Monday, March 22, 2026
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing regarding two Resolutions the Commission will examine at its monthly meeting tomorrow. Due to out-of-state professional travel, I will not attend tomorrow’s meeting, but I wish to share my comment for the public record.
First, I stand in opposition to the BWXT rezoning request and urge you to vote NO on Resolution No. 26-03-01 “Resolution Rezoning Tax Map 075, Parcel 014.00 in the 5th Civil District Presently Owned by BWXT.”
I profoundly value the community’s voice and understand crisply the pragmatism your decision requires. At its core, it is one of risk vs. benefit. The proposed facility raises real concerns regarding environmental exposure, long-term public health, emergency response, and land-use compatibility in a growing area. Those risks extend beyond a single parcel and carry regional implications. I support economic development, job creation, and the role our region plays in national defense. Those priorities matter to all of us. They also require discipline in how and where projects are approved. Strong communities attract strong employers when growth aligns with local plans and public confidence. To me, the BWXT proposal falls short of that standard.
Many residents have looked at that balance, too, and reached the same conclusion: The tradeoff does not make sense for this community. Over 10,000 of us signed a petition to say so. In the meantime, BWXT has invested in a broad public relations effort to promote its project. Yet, the core risk-related questions raised by residents remain unanswered. People have asked for clear, specific information about safety protocols, environmental safeguards, transportation impacts, and long-term oversight. They have asked how risks will be monitored, who will be accountable, and what will happen if something goes wrong. General assurances simply do not meet that need.
Tomorrow’s vote on Resolution No. 26-03-01 is an opportunity to show that you take both growth and responsibility seriously. Saying no to this rezoning request as proposed creates space to get the balance right and to move forward in a way that earns public trust.
Second, I would like to express my support for a temporary moratorium on new data center developments at the county level. I urge you to vote YES on Resolution No. 26-03-02 “Resolution Approving and Authorizing a Moratorium on Data Centers in Washington County.”
These facilities carry real implications for people’s and animals’ health, the local environment, land use, water demand, energy infrastructure, and long-term community character. Taking the time to study those impacts is a responsible step that protects both residents and future economic opportunities: We must make sure Washington County gets the policy framework right before decisions are locked in.
Johnson City just launched an impact study on data centers and crypto mining facilities to understand the noise and vibration characteristics and their impacts on our local population and landscape across various areas (health, pollution, utilities, etc.). In turn, the data collected will help establish zoning and city ordinances that appropriately protect our neighborhoods and communities.
I have had the opportunity to contribute to that effort as an engineer and as a community representative on the committee overseeing the study, working closely with City staff throughout the process. This serious, good-faith attempt at understanding the full picture has reinforced for me how important it is to slow down just enough to ask the right questions before moving forward.
Given the regional impact of data centers, I believe Washington County would benefit from aligning with Johnson City’s direction. A coordinated approach will lead to better outcomes than fragmented decisions across jurisdictions. A temporary moratorium, paired with a clear plan to coordinate with surrounding local governments and to engage the public, would position the County to make informed choices that reflect both community values and long-term economic resilience.
Very respectfully,
Sylvain BRUNI
