Louisa homeowner’s lawsuit over Amazon data center moves forward in federal court

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - A legal battle over Amazon’s massive data center project in Louisa County is moving forward in federal court, as one homeowner argues construction next to his property has dramatically changed his family’s quality of life.

Austin Newsom, who lives across the road from Amazon’s data center construction site and operates Central VA Marine from his property, filed a lawsuit alleging the project has caused a wide range of problems since construction began, notably with the tap water.

“It’s brown. It’s been brown for a long time,” Newsom said of the water coming from his home. “The amount of ground disturbance that they have caused next door has really greatly affected the water tables.”

During a visit to the property, construction equipment and trucks moved continuously while dust hung in the air.

When asked if the noise ever stops, Newsom responded simply:

“Constantly.”

Newsom originally filed suit in Louisa County Circuit Court in August 2025. The case was later moved to federal court.

On July 10, U.S. District Judge Jasmine H. Yoon issued a memorandum opinion granting in part and denying in part Amazon’s motion to dismiss. The judge allowed Newsom’s private nuisance claim to continue while dismissing a separate claim seeking injunctive relief as an independent cause of action. The ruling does not decide whether Amazon is ultimately liable, and Newsom’s request for a preliminary injunction remains pending.

According to the court opinion, Newsom alleges the construction has resulted in:

• loud noise
• flashing lights
• dust and debris
• increased truck traffic
• discolored water
• flooding near the roadway
• vibrations that caused cracks in his home
• impacts to his boat repair business

The opinion also notes that Newsom alleges customers have stopped bringing boats to Central VA Marine until construction is complete.

“I expected people to come like, ‘Oh man, this is an issue. We’ve got to fix this. We’ve got to help you,’ and nobody ever did,” Newsom said.

The case has also drawn attention beyond Central Virginia. National consumer advocate Erin Brockovich recently spoke with Newsom about his concerns during a video call, discussing the possibility of using Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain additional records related to the project.

Newsom said he is seeking a preliminary injunction—not to stop construction entirely—but to require changes while the lawsuit proceeds.

“Normal injunction to get Amazon to change how they’re doing things, to get them to do better without having to fully stop construction,” he said.

A hearing on Newsom’s request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for next month while the lawsuit continues through federal court.

Read the federal court’s July 10 memorandum opinion:

Newsom et al. v. Amazon Data Services, Inc. memorandum opinion

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